Apologies go out to all the doting grandparents out there! I know you have all been eager to see what mischief Mr. Keen was up to on Halloween, and I have been lax about getting the photo evidence up on the blog. Better late than never!

Keenan did enjoy his first Halloween--he happily donned a fuzzy candy corn suit to please his momma. We trotted him around to a few of our favorite neighbors to show of the mini-man's adorability (not a word, but you get the idea). On Keenan's behalf, we gladly accepted the candy offered to him. And then we ate it. Didn't offer him a piece. Poor guy. . .I think we'll let him have some candy next year when he's a big boy and can carry his own trick-or-treat bag himself.

Keenan has discovered a new trick. . .pull-ups UNDER the coffee table. The space beneath the coffee table is his new favorite hang-out spot. Check out him demonstrating his amazing talent in the photo below. Bet you can't do that!

Lastly, almost everyone loves dogs and babies. But, you may not be surprised to learn that dogs don't always love babies. . .especially babies that bulldoze themselves into happily bone-chewing dogs. Click the arrow to play the video.

Munchkin Goes Punkin' Huntin' (and more adventures. . .)

Two of the main reasons for having babies is to take them punkin' pickin' and to dress them up for Halloween (stay tuned for a later post on Halloween!). Really, in the official list of "Why to have kids," those two activities rank in the top ten.

So, Ben and I fulfilled one of our parental duties and took the munchkin out for a day of punkins, farm animals, apples, and wheelbarrows. Ben and I have made it a little tradition to visit Homestead Farms near Poolesville, MD every autumn, and it was extra fun this year to be able to introduce Keenan to the family tradition. Here is the photographic evidence.

Keen Goes to Jersey

A big apology goes out to all of our favorite people in Jersey who are wondering why Keenan's trip to visit them hasn't made it into the blog yet. Blame it on pure laziness and massive time deficiency, as of late, on Keen's momma's end.


Our trip to Jersey was a three-day whirlwind. . .September 12-14. We began our visit in Lakewood, where we introduced Keenan to his Great-Grandma Mary and Great Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jim. We were also lucky to be joined by Grammy and Pop DeGeorge, who flew up from NC to join the fun. We took the requisite 4-generations shot: Keen, Mom, Pop, and Great-Grandma. Our births span about 92 years!

Keenan with his Great Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jim

Keenan with his Jersey Aunties: Denise, Jen and Josey, Lisa, Kim and Mom

We then moved on to Red Bank where we had a mini party with the Chester girls and stayed overnight with Lori's friend Lisa and her boyfriend Quinn. Most of the Chester girls (Denise, Kim and Jen) were in attendance, and it was so wonderful to introduce Keen to his "Aunties", some for the first time. Saturday morning's big excitement for Keenan (and maybe more so for his mom and dad) was a trip to a true NJ diner in downtown Red Bank, where Keen watched his mom and dad inhale way too many pancakes and eggy concoctions. Thanks, Lisa and Quinn, for giving up your entire room to the Ulrich fam and for giving us the grand tour of Red Bank! We'll be back again soon :)

Red Bank, NJ: Keenan's first Jersey Diner experience

Next stop was Denville, where we invaded the beautiful new home of Jen, Mike, and Josey Vitale. And by "new," we mean "living-there-for-one-week" new. The Vitales deserve something really big and extravagant for taking us in for the day and night, along with all of the other visitors who stopped in and out to meet Keenan. I'm not sure I would have been as open-armed to guest invaders had I just moved into a new house! Keen loved spending some QT with Miss Josey, his older and much wiser 2-year-old girlfriend. Many baby kisses were exchanged. . .so cute.

Keenan with Auntie Jen and Josey (she's 2 today--October 7!)

Bryan with Karl, Jen with Josey, Lori with Keen

On Sunday morn, we headed on out to the homeland of Chester. . .or, I should clarify and mention that we just drove through Chester on our way to Long Valley to meet more friends at the Long Valley Brew Pub for scrumptious brunch. Ben's buddies Pete and Steve (old work buddies from Ben's days in NYC) brought their wives, Carrie and Olga, and their kiddos (2 each!). We had a great time catching up and wondering in amazement how all of us have somehow managed to procreate and remembering those pre-kid days just a few years ago. We'll definitely be returning soon to give Keen a real taste of Chester.

Thanks for making Keenan's first trip to New Jersey very special. He's already asking to come back :)

Happy 1st Birthday Zack

Keenan's cousin Zack had a birthday earlier this week. He worked a whole year for this one. In our family, that means you get a big party with your own cake, and where your cousins open your presents.

Zack, you have a little something around your mouth.

"I'm so excited, just imagine when it's my birthday!"

Of course, no family birthday weekend would be complete without a cousin couch line-up. It's too bad this is a still photo with no sound. Two seconds before this picture, adults started dancing, singing, and generally distracting Keen and Zack from their cranky mood. The result is at least presentable (Keen's on the far left).

Summertime Wrap-up

Mom and Dad have been a little behind in the blog posts...chalk it up to a really busy summer. Here are a few pictures from the past month to bring everyone up to speed.



We took a trip to Manassas Battlefield Park a few weekends ago. We saw the statue of Stonewall Jackson, walked through a rebuilt war home, had a nice picnic lunch, and then chilled out under the shade and took these two pics of the kids.

Here's Keenan a few weeks ago doing something he loves now...holding himself up while facing backwards on a chair.

Daphne, Treeing Walker Coonhound, studying her next prey in the open fields.

Continuing the barrage of random pictures, here's one of Keenan's favorite foods: Peas

Thanks to Grammy and Pop for this outfit, straight from the final frontier of Alaska. This hat is great because it actually stays on his head.

Same picture of Dad, with the little man posing as expected. Dad believes when any digital camera appears, Keenan knows those silver objects shine crazy lights, and cause adults to do weird things too.












Keenan's cousins Sarah and Tommy visited for Zack's birthday weekend. This morning Sarah was testing Keenan's ability to carry items on his head (for those time in his future when he has to carry laundry down to the river).

So far, he can hold a cloth book on his head, and smile at the same time. Next time we'll try a bottle of milk.

Cool at the Pool

Yes, the wee little man looks a bit concerned in this photo taken at the neighborhood pool. It's probably because the water was a bit nippy and very deep--a whole 12 inches. He did enjoy splashing around though . . .so much that he needed a nap immediately afterward in the beach towel.

We reported on Keenan's newfound spitting talent a few weeks ago. He has now taken it to the next level--spitting FOOD. You can only imagine how proud his mom is of him. He even seems to prefer the enjoyment of spitting and seeing his mom's not-so-thrilled reaction over the enjoyment of tasting food and having a full belly. Mom and Dad hope this is a very sort stage in his development!

Another "habit" Keenan has developed is rolling onto his belly in the middle of the night. Now, he's past the main window for SIDS risk, so this really shouldn't be a big deal at all. However, he rolls on his belly and than screams and wails until someone comes in and flips him back over. We know, as well as he knows, he's perfectly capable of doing it himself. . .last night, mom or dad had to make at least 3 trips into his room to flip him over like a pancake. Again, we're hoping this is a very short stage!

It's good to have friends

Keenan, Will, and Peyton (Will and Peyton are siblings)

Ben's birthday (BIG 33!) is sneaking up on us, so we thought we'd use the occasion as an excuse to have a few friends over and use the deck. It was our first true "gathering" at the house that involved multiple mobile munchkins. Keenan had a great time making googly eyes at his two older lady friends, Peyton and Molly, and chilling on the playmat with his good buddy and "birthday twin" Will.

Keenan and Molly

SPIT a.k.a. "pbpbpbpbpbt"

The parenting books say kids are supposed to start making consonant-like sounds now and using their mouths like a musical instrument. If that's the case, maybe some kind of horn will be in Keenan's future. Check out how much he enjoys pursing his lips together and blowing out:




Note: Dad needed at least four takes to get this on camera. Our little ham would stop playing the "instrument" as soon as Dad click the camera's shutter. Hence, the video starts with the camera beneath the table as we try to hide it from him!

Beach Baby

Keenan and family--Daphne included!-- took their second road trip together, down to the southern tip of North Carolina to visit Grammy and Pop near the beach in Southport. Keen spent two quality days at the beach--the first of which he napped away (Not even a first-time beach-goer can resist napping under a shady umbrella with the relaxing sound of crashing waves!). He got to wear some super-cool color-coordinated new beach duds and to dip his feet in the warm ocean water. Thanks to Auntie Jen for Keen's jungle bathing suit, and to Margie and the Schiffners for his stylin' hat! Keenan was definitely the hippest mini-dude on the beach.

"My future's so bright..."


"Okay, I'll smile as long as you fix my hat."

"I don't see any squirrels, but these sand crabs look delicious."

Bouncing Baby Boy

Look at our little ball of energy bounce! Keenan just loves this "Jumperoo" and we love watching him bounce. Thanks Kristi, Erica, Megan, and Caitlin--you obviously knew from experience that this contraption would be a big hit!
______________________________________________

Grammy and Pop DeGeorge came up last weekend and watched Keenan for an entire weekend while Ben and Lori went to their good friends Chris and Cecilia's wedding. The wedding tested Mom and Dad's ability to stay up past 10 (we made it well into the weee hours).

Speaking of sleep, Lori's Mom is known for her non-stop, always busy, high stamina level. In fact, she probably hadn't taken a nap in 20 years. . .until last weekend. She took two!

Keenan learned at least one new skill from his grandparents: sleeping on his side. Seems that every time Grammy put him to bed, he immediately pulled his legs up and swung them over to his left. Here's a picture of Grammy and Keenan on the deck, showing his strong legs off!





Later next week we look forward to taking the whole family down to Southport to see Grammy and Pop.