One moment while I brush the dust off this blog. Okay, we're back in business ...

So much to fill you in on! Where do I start? When last I posted, Emmett had finally started saying 'mamma,' and while he still sometimes prefers

It's official, and there's no disputing it this time: Emmett has totally made me the happiest mom ever, saying 'mamma' for the first time while we were sitting on the couch last Friday night watching TV.

Okay -- so I may have prompted him to

With Emmett's grandparents in tow, James and I took Emmett (AKA Superman) for his first ever trick-or-treating experience this past Halloween.� Emmett made a pretty fabulous Superman, selecting the red and blue suit over the alternative lobster costume (though much to my dismay).

[caption id="attachment_1285" align="aligncenter" width="538" caption="A sad lobster and Superman. Superman won."][/caption]

While Superman was a pretty indecisive trick-or-treater when first presented with bowls of various goodies, he got the hang of it by the end of our adventure, knocking on doors himself and saying "Thank you -- bye!" without even being prompted (video).

[caption id="attachment_1286" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption=""Trick or treat!""][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1287" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="So much to choose from!"][/caption]

Nana and Gran-D even taught Emmett how to appropriately get into the Superman character. Watch the footage below to see Emmett flying and making sound effects like Superman.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQiXGSalFkQ&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Quite a step up from his first Halloween, huh? For more photos from Halloween, check out the Halloween 2010 set on Flickr!

Age Timer: 21 months, 2 weeks

Last weekend was Emmett's first trip to the Jersey shore!� The three of us headed down for a couple of days with my parents, and despite my fear that he was going to hate the sand and the ocean, he completely pulled through and loved every minute of it.� Apparently, all you have to do is plop that kid down in the sand, give him a shovel, and he's good to go.

[caption id="attachment_1249" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Good to Go!"][/caption]

Here's a video of Emmett with dad and Nana, letting the ocean waves wash over his piggies (AKA toes) and jabbering about who knows what...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYT0LrZM0TQ&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Emmett also enjoyed tossing sand, a leisurely bike ride, an evening stroll along the boardwalk, a ride on the carousel (which he was not a fan of) and some public dancing.

[caption id="attachment_1245" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Emmett's First Bike Ride "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1246" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Emmett and Dad on the Boardwalk"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1248" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption=""I AM SPARTA!""][/caption]

Thanks to Nana and GranD for planning such a fabulous long weekend at the Jersey shore!

Fore more pictures from our trip, check out the Jersey Shore set on Flickr.

Age Timer: 19 months, 1 week