Some of Andrew's FAVORITE Past Times . . .

Some of Andrew's food preferences seem to be inherently his mothers, such as his love of applesauce,  raisins and pomodoro sauce. While he tolerates black olives and mushrooms (and doesn't seem to love them like his mother), he also favors ketchup and does not like black licorice like his father. Yogurt, however, is something both his mother and father adore.  Nearly every morning, Andrew goes to the refrigerator, takes a yogurt from the top shelf, gets his spoon and placemat from the top drawers on his tip toes, and takes his treasures to the table.  He has learned, through trial and error, that it is best to put everything on the table first, and then climb into his highchair.  We love his independent spirit.

To the left & below are some of my favorite action shots of Andrew doing what amuses him best: playing with the vacuum & washing machine. Pictured in his little blue Sunday suit, he played for hours at my parents' home (the Schaubs) during our Christmas visit.  The final photo of Andrew in his diaper was taken in our apartment in Seattle.  He had been dragging a stool from his room each day to the laundry room to put in clothes, stuffed animals, balls, shoes, bags & rags in the washing machine - When I hid the stool, I should have expected to find him practically suspended in the air with a new way to get everything in. He was so proud of himself!

Below: The evolution of vacuuming - Andrew at G.G.'s in Salt Lake, September 2010; Andrew in our Seattle Apartment apparently distracted by his favorite French Children's Film Rolie Polie Olie.

Jeff's parents gave Andrew Thomas the Toy engine train for Christmas. With his daddy's help, Andrew set up the train track to run under his crib.  He is entralled with the train still, more than 6 weeks later.  He figured out almost instantly where the on/off switch was located.  Every time the train derails, Andrew cries out, "Uht-oooo! Uht-oooo" and pulls one of us over the help.  Then he follows the train, jetting from one side of the crib to other, awaiting the train to come around the corner.  We love watching him play with his train. [Of course, the train comes off the track; Andrew takes it everywhere and plays with it in the kitchen, bathroom, on the couch, etc.]