Another Oops

Yesterday after Spanish Story Time, we went to the park with some friends. Not only did I not have any snacks, sunscreen, duck food, or sandbox toys, but B was dressed for weather about ten degrees cooler than it was. Despite all of these shortcomings, B had a blast with his buddies. As usual, I forgot my camera, so Aileen took the above photo.

The big "oops" came when I was so engrossed in chatting with the other moms that I didn't notice that B was eating the sand...by the fistful. My bad.

Just A Pic

Above is a picture that Aileen took of B when we were at Pump It Up a couple of weeks ago. You can see that he is really enjoying his adventure.

Oops!

Late this afternoon I was chatting on the phone and buzzing through the house trying to get some work accomplished. (I know, I know, that's super shocking.) Anyhow, in my haste to feed the dogs, do some laundry, and pick up some toys, I realized that I had lost B. Still on the phone, I flitted through the house scanning all of the corners and crevices. Surely B was tugging on a cord or disassembling a gadget. No luck. I couldn't find him. After a moment of pre-panic (you know, when you're starting to realize that it's almost time to freak out,) I remembered that I had just been in the laundry room. Sure enough, I found B locked in the laundry room happily sorting dirty clothes. I guess he wasn't a bit worried that his mamma wasn't in sight. Why would he be? He had things to discover!

Just Another Sunday

Today B and I went to a birthday party at The Little Gym. There was an inflatable bounce mattress, a parachute, and lots of gymnastics equiptment. B was so eager to participate that he stood in the center of the circle and paid careful attention to the teacher. Of course, this means that while the people making up the circle were jumping in a clockwise direction, B was hopping around in the center all by himself. It was too cute! We still prefer Gymboree, but it was fun to play with some friends. Above is a picture someone posted of B and his buddies.

The other important event that occured today was that B started playing make-believe for the first time (well, the first time that I really took notice of it.) He was playing with a plastic pitcher and some old, tin dog bowls. He reached into the bottom of the pitcher, acted like he was pulling out something, and he placed that "something" into the dog bowl. Then he reached into the dog bowl and brought the imaginary food to his mouth, pretended to chew, and pretended to swallow. It was so funny that I joined him to encourage this imaginary play. I haven't consulted my toddler books, but I'm pretty sure that make-believe play is a developmental step.

The New Girl

Benjamin has found himself a new girlfriend. Interestingly enough, SHE pursued HIM. Yes, it happened at our favorite mini-meat-market: Gymboree. Maria is a German tot who comes to Gymboree with her mother Olga...seriously. So B is taking after his Grumpa (Larry) and finding his own European Princess.

B and maria had a great time playing with each other during parachute time. B sat memorized as Maria ran up to him, crouched beside him, ran back to her mother, and repeated. When we sang our good-bye songs, B followed her to the wooden rocking horse where she was sitting with her mother. He pulled up his shirt to show her his tummy. Seemingly this is some sort of toddler mating call.

That sealed the deal on the flirt-fest. Maria would not have been my first choice for him (come on, you KNOW I have an opinion about these things,) but she is a feisty contrast to girlfriend number one: Kate.

Stay tuned for updates!

Mercer Arboretum & Park

Friday morning we met the playgroup for a stroll through the botanical gardens and then a picnic at the park. Much to my disappointment, the "gardens" didn't seem to be in bloom...surprise. The weather, however, was perfect: 60s = no wasps/bees.

After a stroll, we stopped at the fountains where B tried to dive for the bubbles. He is definitely a water baby, so it was a challenge to keep him dry.

B and his friends:


You'll notice B sitting on the edge of the fountain carefully edging towards the water:



We picnicked at the park, but B seemed to have lost his appetite. He ran around while the sun wore me out. When we got home B attempted to toss his leftover lunch to Kylie. Unbeknown to him, not even full meals will make her his friend!

Benjamin's First Official Haircut

Momma gave him a snip a few weeks ago but today she took Benjamin in for his first real hair cut....



More pictures up in the March photo gallery.....

Gone Clubbin'

First of all, I have discovered that the key to Pump It Up is to only stay about forty minutes. That was our playgroup adventure for this morning. B ended up trying to bond with some of the other tots today. As long as he isn't forcing me to haul him up the slide, everything is good in the hood.

On a more disturbing note, B now uses his baby vacuum (ball popper that he pushes around) to attack the dogs. Yes, he throws this device over his shoulder and runs screaming around the house in the dogs' directions. We have many discussions about this, but for everybody's safety I most often end up removing the dogs from the situation.

After nap time this afternoon B boogied down to some Raffi. I think the music and dancing held his attention for a full twenty minutes, which might be a record!

For those wondering, we had to move his hair appointment to Wednesday since the baby stylist didn't get me her address in time. No problem. Mondays are rough for us anyways.

Yesterday

Well, yesterday was the day. I FINALLY got down on my knees to scrub the kitchen floor. Unfortunately, B was right beside me playing in the scrubbing water. On the bright side, he kept saying, "Bubbles. Bubbles. Bubbles." That is his first two-syllable word aside from Mama, Dada, Uh-oh, and Oh-no. (We're still not sure why he goes around saying "Oh-no" all of the time... It's not an expression I use.)

All was going well until exactly 50% of the kitchen was scrubbed. I stood up to start drying the floors. (Yes, notice that I only finished half before I quit.) Then, Benjamin stood up...and slipped...backwards...and fell. I swear this child needs a helmet. Tile is really not so child-friendly after all. We're all okay now, but I learned a good lesson: God prefers that I leave the floor scrubbing to professionals.

These Days

Yesterday we went to a Kindermusik class. I thought that since B was so interested in dancing, he might enjoy a music class. Although the class was supposed to be for toddlers 18-months-old and beyond, we slipped in there and tried to pass him off as mature. As far as behavior was concerned, B impressed them all. It was definitely the right class for him...well, age-wise. Unfortunately, there wasn't quite as much music as I would have hoped. Actually, I was SHOCKED at how little music the instructor played. It is a very low-key class that involves quite a bit of lap time and walking in circles. Gymboree incorporates all of the elements of Kindermusik with the added benefit of physical challenges. I've been on the fence about enrolling in Kindermusik. I'd like a structured Tuesday morning activity. However, I just don't think it's for us.

Today we picked up some photos of B we had ordered. They turned out beautifully, much better than expected. Then we were off to Gymboree where B really earned his status as The Ultimate Roadblock for Toddler Friends. Yep. Around the middle of each obstacle course, B decided to plant his bottom and pause to observe his classmates. Since his observance was indefinite, I kept having to remove him so that his pals could scoot through. I'm sure they're just not quite as pensive as B. That's the logical, if not biased, conclusion I'll draw.

While tomorrow B has another photo session (look, people, it was FREE, so don't blame me for jumping on board,) Friday we will be stuck at the house ALL DAY LONG. I have to wait around for a package that requires signature. Luckily for me, packages don't get to my hood until around 3pm or later. Come to think of it: NAP TIME! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Readers, this means that Friday late afternoon and evening will not be a good time to call for a chat. Things will be grim.)

Kidding, right?

Yesterday I went to spend time with some new friends. When I left the house, both R and B were sleeping. Hmmm. I was a bit concerned if R would wake up when B hollered for him. Apparently, this might have been a valid concern since B was in his crib for a remarkable four-hour "nap" by the time R went in for him. (I have a feeling that B spent quite a while trying to awaken his Dada before Dada got the massage.)

On my way back to the house I called to check in. Being the concerned mother I am, and B being the big chunk of joy that he's always been, my first question was, "Did you feed him?" Followed by, "What did he eat?" Here's where the issue lies...

Ryan said, "He ate three hotdogs and some crackers."

WHAT??? THREE HOTDOGS??? Ryan said he just kept asking for more. While B IS into asking for more, I try to give him a more balanced plate of food, usually only consisting of HALF a hotdog and a variety of other options.

So, yes, my BABY ate THREE hotdogs yesterday, and that was just his LUNCH! (You'll be impressed to know that maybe three hours later we went to Pappasitos where he still ate ravenously.)