Table for Two

Drew and I having a snack and some casual conversation.

Click here Drew

GALLOP!

I guess we have put Grant to bed over a thousand times by now.

At one year of age, his routine consited of brushing his teeth, reading books as he sat in our lap in the glider, then placing him in bed awake. 

At nearly three when we moved him into his full size bed, we added trying to go potty and a few minutes of snuggling with him in bed after books.  Or as he puts it "lay down with me for a minute." 

We've been through this routine so many times that it is often mundane.  And after a long day, I'm ashamed to say that I often rush through it so I can go relax with the remote or read my blogs.

But the other night I was reminded that this time is not mundane at all. Something different happened this time.  Grant grabbed a book and began reading it to me. 

Can you gallop like a horse?

Can you strut like a rooster?

Can you run like a dog? 

Can you spring like a cat?

Can you soar like an eagle?

Can you swing like a chimp?

Can you flutter like a butterfly?

Can you swim like a turtle?

Then take a bow and smile: you twinkle, like a star!

Then take a bow and shine: a star is what you are.


Ok.  I helped him with the more difficult words.  But it was magical all the same.

After finishing, he said excitedly "I'm going to pick out another book because I can read."  Here he is showing Daddy his new skills.

Mr. Big Stuff

We finally have a crawler.  Except I don't care that some babies are crawling at 6 months old.  It took Drew nearly 11 months figure it out and I love it.  Why?  Because why rush it?  He's been a happy guy for the longest time sitting contently pulling toys out of his toy box or watching Grant bounce around the house.  That is until last week. 

On Monday, he figured out he could get around more efficiently if he put one knee in front of the other instead of dragging his belly along the floor like a fish out of water.  And by Friday, he was nowhere to be found.   I was eating lunch in the living room, and Drew was playing nearby.  As I was munching on my sandwhich, he became curious and before I knew it, he was out of sight.  I could here him roaming through the kitchen.  Grant was running around as usual so I asked him what Drew was doing.  He said, "He's in the laundry room."  I nearly spued my drink all over the place surprised by his new found speediness.

So now he thinks he's Mr. Big Stuff or something, pulling up on anything and everything he can reach.

He's totally into looking at books.  Well, I think he's more interested in turning the pages than actually looking at the pictures.  But if you sit down with him to read him books, the sessions often end in tears as he protest for more. 

He's also into picking up the tiniest crumb or piece of fluff on the floor and putting it in his mouth.  Just this week I caught him gagging on a piece of carpet.  This one I don't get though because he's currently not too thrilled with table food.  Although you definitely can't tell it by looking at him. Huh?

And last but not least, this picture just brings a smile to my face.  It's just a glimpse of  brief contentment in our daily life..... everyone has their chocolate milk poured, clothes on, diaper changed, morning coffee and cereal consumed, and an activity to do.

I rush off to get ready and get my clothes on myself.  Minutes later, "Mommy, um, Mommy, can you help me with this?"  And Drew crying because he has bumped his head on the table.  Readjust. Help. Console.  Find contentment once again................... and so on and so on.

Every Five to Six Years

That's how often we get snow like this in Nashville.

It started snowing last Thursday and continued through Friday.  I believe we got about 5 inches.  Perfect for sledding.... if you own a sled.   Neverfear, Rubbermaid to the rescue.  Not only do they make great storage containers, but also some of the best sleds in town. 

Grant stayed out so long the first day and got so cold that he almost didn't want to go out the next day. But with a little encouragement and help from the sun, he made it out.

He nearly stayed out too long again.

Drew, on the other hand, was stuck inside at home for three days learning new tricks in his bed. After the third day, he was looking at us like, "What are we still doing here? Let's go somewhere." I couldn't agree more.