Defeat! Defeat! Defeat!

Much like appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it seems that having your team's mascot or logo pictured in my blog carries a jinx. How else to explain the heartwrenching losses suffered by the Gophers, Hawkeyes, and Vikings last week? So this time around, we're going to try it without pictures. But first a few concluding thoughts about last week:

Since he is still getting paid, maybe the Gophers could get Glen Mason to coach the first half of the game and Brewster the second? That team would win every game by 42 points.

Clearly the Hawkeyes are not the best college football team in Iowa (and haven't been for 7 out of the last 10 years). At least they are the most loved college football team in Iowa. Are the Gophers the best college football team in Minnesota?

It's either the scheme or the players, but the Vikings offensive line continues to underperform (at least on a per salary basis). I realize the quarterback is a lot closer to the defense when only taking three step drops, but no quarterback seems to have less time and less room to throw than T-Jack. That still doesn't excuse the inaccurate throws when he does have time, though. Game management and decision-making can be learned, can accuracy?

Fortunately, these disappointments have been offset by the fact that Dad and I are 2-0 in fantasy football this year. Thanks to Edgerrin James and various Indianapolis Colts, we have been able to overcome two very subpar performances from LT. We expect LT to break out this week, however, and lead us to another victory for the winningest regular season team in Skippy Fantasy League history.

As for the Gophers, Hawkeyes, and Vikings, my predictions are as follows:

Gophers 24 Purdue 52
Hawkeyes 16 Wisconsin 19
Vikings (Defense) 21 Kansas City 6

At least Tiger is still number one. Some things a sports fan can rely on.

Now on to non-football related items. Over the past week I have learned (with Dad's help) how to walk up and down stairs (sort of) -- and boy do I look for any opportunity to practice. I'm eating more and different things (including dog food when Mom and Dad aren't looking). Of course, having a few new teeth helps (especially for the dog food). I've been sleeping in a bit later, which Mom and Dad seem to like. I've also learned that if I throw up at daycare, I get to go home and spend the rest of the day with Mom or the grandparents, which seems to me like a no-lose situation.

Last Friday, Mom and Dad took me for a run in my new baby jogger. I liked it; although, 5 miles may have been just a little too long for me. Dad continues to train to do a triathlon next summer; although, that is still along way off and I'll believe it when I see it. Mom works hard at the office and at home, and I try to help her out by putting things in the refrigerator or under the kitchen sink. Of course, it would probably be more help if they were things that actually belonged in the refrigerator or under the sink.

Oh yeah, that reminds me, I just discovered the joy of unrolling toilet paper. I don't know what to do with it once I have it all on the floor -- I'm still working on that part. I'm open to suggestions.

Victory! Victory! Victory!

Wow, what a great weekend! I was so excited for the Vikings season opener that I couldn't sleep and had to wake Mom and Dad up at 5:30 am on Sunday morning. I had a bottle to calm my nerves and went back to sleep for a little bit before church. I even got to wear my new Vikings jersey to church (it never hurts to have God on your side)-- everyone in the nursery loved it! Finally, it was game time. Mom and Dad left to go somewhere called the "Metrodome" and Emma, Marta and I got to watch the game on TV with Grandma Marsha (apparently our local Fox affiliate read my last blog and decided to buy all the Vikings tickets to avoid something called a "blackout"). And for those of you who missed it, the VIKINGS WON! (Sorry to whomever thought they might lose...was that you Auntie Arica?)!

And you might think that I just jumped on the Vikings band wagon this year (I guess that would make a total of ONE new fan this year, right?) -- but no, I have been a Vikings fan for a VERY LONG TIME. To prove it, I have posted some pictures of me supporting the Vikings throughout my life.

Here's also a couple of pictures showing my support for two of my other favorite football teams -- the Hawkeyes and the Gophers -- both of which were victorious this weekend as well (although one more resoundingly than the other). My other favorite sports star, Tiger Woods, also won this weekend, but Dad won't let me wear any Tiger paraphernalia.

After all the excitement, it was back to school again this morning. We're learning more sign language this week (I already know the sign for milk and NO). In addition to all this communicating, I have decided to expand my meal plan. So far this week I have eaten a grilled cheese sandwich (Mom tricked me and said it was just bread), half a chicken nugget and a pot sticker (amongst other things). No more Gerber's for me!

Don't know what exactly, but something strange is happening around here. I had to wear long pants and new shoes (no more sandals, I guess) today, and I got new pajamas with long pants and long sleeves (see how cute they are). And it seems like it is night time a lot longer now (either that or I am going to bed really late). Probably no more trips to the pool for a while...

Where Has All The Football Gone?

Here I am, with my new Vikings shirt, getting ready to do the thing I like most -- watch football on TV -- when I hear something about the Vikings game not being on TV this week? Then I learn that Comcast doesn't carry the Big Ten network, which means I'm unlikely to see a Gophers game for at least 3 more weeks. Now that swimming lessons are over and birthday party season is behind us, I was really looking forward to football to fill up my weekends. While I enjoy watching the Packers lose as much as the next person, it isn't quite as satisyfing as seeing my two favorite teams win. So, please consider buying some Vikings tickets to help out all the little kids like me.

As for what else is new with me, I am officially a biped. You'll almost never see me crawling. I used to be able to crawl faster than walk, but then I learned this thing called "running," and now I'm from here to there in a flash. I've also learned that the dogs are fun to play with (at least Emma is). She'll sit there and let me pet her, pull her ears, and bang on her with my hockey stick. Of course, I do toss her a piece of food off my high chair tray from time to time, so I guess she thinks it's worth it.

What else? I've got a few more teeth. I'm about ready for another haircut (I know someday I'll appreciate having this thick head of hair, but right now I wish it didn't grow so fast.) I'm making a lot of new sounds, not quite words yet but I'm really trying. I'm also really into giving and getting hugs and being picked up right now.

And last, but not least, I'm basically off bottles. I may still have milk in a bottle first thing in the morning, because it's easier for Mom and Dad, but otherwise it's nothing but milk and water in sippy cups.

Let me know what's up with you. Hope to see you soon.