White Christmas

An opportunity for Daddy to help Dexter make his first snowman.

Chocolate Peep

What was I thinking? That a candy made of chocolate and green marshmallow wasn't going to be a total mess? Nope, I pretty much knew it would be but wanted to see Dexter enjoy a new tasty treat on Christmas morning. I wasn't disappointed (and neither was Dexy).

The Calm Before the Storm

After a few days of decorating the tree and wrapping presents, My Bologna enjoyed a few minutes of stillness before the excitement of Christmas morning.

Ready To Play in the Snow

The Nick Nolte Mug Shot

Dexter's gorgeous hair can get a bit crazy when he's just gotten up from nap and has rubbed candy cane in it.

All That Gorgeous (Clean) Hair!

The Patience of a Saint

I don't know what got into him, but while we were visiting with a friend who was up from Mississippi, Dexter decided to put his train conductor hat on My Bologna. Everyone except My Bologna was very amused. This post is for you, Jonathan!

Deck the Depot

Each year, our town has a "deck the depot" night (at the train depot, duh) around Christmastime. This year, our friends Julie and Matt joined us for what we thought would be a fun evening of seeing Santa, petting reindeer, carolers, and a nice dinner at "the" fancy(ish) restaurant in town. We bundled Dexter up in his buggy and walked the few blocks to the depot, expectations high. We never found Santa, we weren't allowed to touch the reindeer because they could get diseases from us(!), and we waited for more than an hour for an Italian pasta dinner before telling the waiter to wrap it to go. Dexter was great despite the long wait - 4 loaves of bread didn't hurt! Still, it was fun to see Julie and Matt and we enjoyed dinner and drinks when we got home.

Bring It On Home, My Bologna!

Bump in the Road

Not to worry - he's OK.

Picking Up the Tree

Dexter got a sweet ride on the way to pick up the Christmas tree this year. He loved it!

Making Friends

Ben and I took Dexter to a Christmas party last weekend where he immediately ran off with a few young ladies who hung out with him for a couple of hours while Mommy and Daddy chatted with grown ups. Dexter loved it. MacKenzie and Auggie loved shepherding Dexy around. He even met a boy named Spike.

Somersault Success

Pleased to Meet You, Hope You Guessed My Name

Dexy and I did a little Christmas shopping this morning and on the way to pick up some lunch from Culver's (pot roast, green beans, and mashed), "Sympathy for the Devil" came on the car radio. I cranked it and started singing the lyrics. After the background vocals kicked in, I heard, "woo, woo...woo, woo" in time with the back up singers coming from the back seat. I continued singing the lyrics (and the guitar solo) and Dexter sang the back up woo woos for the whole song! Happy birthday, Keith. You have another Stones fan.

Dexter's First Post

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Discipline

The two's have not been so terrible for us (yet) although Dexter has become increasingly strong willed and expressive when frustrated. We want to promote Dexter's exploratory spirit so there are few things that he is not allowed to do and, generally, he's very good at following directions when we tell him not to touch something or to be gentle because something is fragile. However, there are certain things that we believe Dexter should not be allowed to get away with such as throwing toys or being rough with My Bologna. When these things happen, and they occasionally do, we give Dexter a Supernanny-style "time out". The first time I tried this, I was so nervous that Dexter wouldn't stay in the chair - he was screaming and writhing as I said, "Dexter, Mommy put you here because you were pulling My Bologna's tail and that is not acceptable. You need to stay here until Mommy takes you off the chair." I had to fight every instinct to stay and keep talking, to keep my hands on him and make sure he stayed on the chair. Images of parents struggling for hours to do this technique with their out of control children on Supernanny ran through my head. But I walked away and engaged in cleaning up some toys in the living room. Dexter was still screaming and in a few seconds I noticed that he had slithered off the chair. I calmly put him back on the chair and told him that he needs to stay there until Mommy says he can come down. This time he stayed. He stopped crying. He watched me closely as I tried to look busy with something else. After a full minute (felt like an hour), I came back and told him that Mommy put him on the chair because he had pulled My Bologna's tail and that that wasn't OK. Then I gave him a hug, told him I love him, and let him down. He immediately got engaged in another activity and all was good. I was amazed that it worked! Ben and I have each successfully implemented this technique with excellent results - most of the time Dexter doesn't even try to get down. Sometimes the screaming continues. But Ben's and my responses are always the same. My hope is that we don't have to do it often but that by doing it consistently Dexter learns that he cannot get away with crossing the very few lines that we have put in place.

What Is He Doing?

Licking the air???

How Did That Happen?

Yesterday, Dexter apparently moved his rocking chair from his room into the hallway. When Daddy noticed, Dexy acted like he had nothing to do with it.

Tumbler

A few days ago, Dexter bent over and unexpectedly performed a perfect somersault. He and I both couldn't believe it! He has managed to do a couple more perfect ones since (and many imperfect ones). He's got a fabulous arabesque as well. Considering his natural balance and love of movement, I would sign him up for gymnastics but the class is currently held during his nap time. Maybe in the summer.

Alternating Feet

Ever since Dexter has started climbing up and down stairs, he's led with his right foot. I was concerned that his leg strength wouldn't develop evenly and asked the doctor about this at his 2 year appointment the other day. She said not to worry about it until he's 3. Yesterday, on his own, without any prodding from me, he walked up the back stairs to the house alternating his feet.

First Snow of the Season

And Dexter's first ever assist with the shoveling!

Driving on Daddy

Why walk all over Daddy when you can drive a combine instead?

He's Happy

Two-Year Molars

Appropriate for a boy who was born exactly on his due date, Dexter's first "two-year molar" broke through on his second birthday (the bottom right).

Four Oranges and a Poop in the Tub

So I was on the phone with my sister yesterday and we were talking about grown up things so she went into the basement leaving her daughters Riley (5) and Teagan (2) to play in the playroom together. About two minutes went by before I heard Riley's voice in the background saying, "Mommy, Teagan put four oranges and a poop in the tub." I said, "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?" Katie and I burst into laughter. Too bad she couldn't find the camera but Katie did confirm that Teagan, indeed, did put four oranges and a poop in the tub!

Colander-Head

He's been bucket-head and salad bowl-head. I now present...colander-head!

Birthday proper

Even though Dexter's birthday party was yesterday, today is his actual birthday. When I got home from work I was so excited to see him after his nap. Before then however, Ben and I had a chance to reminisce about his actual birth, reminding each other of little details of labor and delivery. Ben said that Dexter must have gotten used to seeing me in the mornings because he kept asking for Mama before breakfast. Hearing this warmed my heart. Of course, during dinner Dexter couldn't pass up an opportunity to remind me that he loves Daddy - when I was telling Dexter about the day he arrived and how Daddy drove Mommy to the hospital he interjected, "I love Daddy." "I love Daddy, too," said I. Enough said.

PARTY!

Dexter and his friends Ian and Ellerie partied up a storm yesterday celebrating Dexter's second birthday. They got along so well and played together (and separately) with Dexter's new train and other toys. The highlight for Ian was a return trip to the basement to play drums and chase around the stairs! It was the perfect way for the little ones to burn off the sugar rush from the cake.

Setting Up for Dexter's Birthday

We went with a train theme for Dexter's second birthday party. We made a train cake and even used duct tape to make train tracks on our coffee table. I can't wait until he wakes up today to see the set up! Then the real fun begins when his friends Ian and Ellerie show up.

Kids' Crafts Made By Adults

Elissa made this beautiful turkey centerpiece all by herself! She had planned to make it with Ian but he had to nap...worked out perfectly!

Post-Thanksgiving Play

Playing drums turned out to be a great way to work off some of the Thanksgiving calories, not to mention some of that intense toddler energy. Dexter slept like a log last night.

Thanksgiving Dinner Play

Dexter and Ian did a great job sitting at the table like big boys. They enjoyed their food and the adult conversation...for a while. Soon enough they were itching to play so the adults let them loose and watched them play together while we enjoyed second helpings of everything.

Thanksgiving Prep Play

As the turkey was cooking on the grill and all the food was heating up in the oven, Dexter and Daddy had a fabulous time playing before our friends arrived. Dexter's delicious squeals of delight are music to Mommy's ears!

Thanksgiving

We were thankful for the company of our good friends Elissa, Jason, and Ian who joined us for Thanksgiving dinner. Dexter and My Bologna each helped with the Thanksgiving prep in their own ways. My Bologna kept vigil on the couch and Dexter tested his reach and tried cashews for the first time (loves them).

2 Year Check Up

Dexter had his two-year check up with the doctor last Friday. Everything looks great - he's healthy and on track with his growth and development. Ben and I mentioned our concern about his speech and the doctor assured us that based on our reports of his interactions and her observations of him at the appointment she was confident that he is not autistic or suffering from any cognitive issues. She did recommend speech therapy so that his social development doesn't suffer when other kids can't understand him. Of course, the minute we leave the doctor's office, Dexter pipes up with some brand new words including "Happy", "Pee," Poo," and Go".

Deep Cleaning

Last week Dexter had the 24 hour throw up bug. He generally seemed like himself except for the concerned look that came across his face right before a throw up episode. Despite this warning sign, Mommy and Daddy were completely unable to contain Dexter and his vomit. So we spent the next few days doing deep cleaning of the carpet and couches and all of Dexter's toys. This worked out well since we are having friends over for Thanksgiving and a small birthday party for Dexter's 2nd birthday this weekend. I took this week off from work and have spent it in domestic bliss - cooking, baking, cleaning, enjoying family time.

Look Out, My Bologna!

Grandma and Gunker brought a bunch of toys for Dexter when they came to visit, one of which was a battery powered tractor and trailer that he can drive. Now anyone who has seen our home knows that we don't have much room for driving around a tractor and trailer. But this didn't stop Dexter from giving it a whirl!

A Little Late

But I just got around to downloading our videos and found one of Dexter in his Halloween monkey costume that I think his grandparents will enjoy seeing. Love you guys!

Name Tags

Dexter, like lots of other kids apparently, doesn't like to have a name tag on so the Zooglebutts leaders put it on his back. We experienced the same phenomenon when we took Dexter to vote recently and was given an "I voted" sticker. We had to put it on the back of his jacket.

Fake Snake!

Zooglebutts

Ben and I signed Dexter up for 4 weekly sessions at the
zoo this fall. This was billed as an educational, sensory experience for kids 18 months - 3 years old. Turns out it was kid free-for-all with a visit at the end from a "special animal friend." The special animal friend the final week was a snake! Dexter looked at a live snake and played with some fake ones.

Grandma and Gunker Visit

A few weeks ago when I was traveling for work, Ben's parents came to visit and watched Dexter so that Ben could still teach his guitar students. They got to be grandparents, caring for and spoiling Dexter and My Bologna. We were so thrilled that Dexy got some of this special time with his grandparents.

Being Cared For

Yesterday, Ben had band rehearsal after work so he gave me a vitamin at lunch since he knew he wouldn't be home to do it at dinner. The feeling of being cared in this small but thoughtful way was so moving, especially after traveling for work twice in the past two weeks. Again I'm reminded of how lucky I am.

Two in One

Getting Dexter and My Bologna in the same shot was difficult but Ben proved (yet again) that difficult does not mean impossible.

Monkeying Around on Halloween

We had an awesome Halloween! My friend Sandra came over with a couple of young ones and we all went out trick or treating. I had forgotten to get Dexter a bag for his Halloween candy so I made one out of a paper bag. It worked really well but by the time he dragged it home, the edges were fraying and I'm sure if we had gone to one more house, Dexter would have left a trail of candy on the ground behind him. After trick or treating we all had a spaghetti dinner. It was a great time.

My Bologna's Trial Run

Immediately upon getting dressed up as Darth Vader, My Bologna went over to the dark side and peed on Dexter's slide. While trick or treating, he peed on Ben's leg! He really got into the evil that is Darth Vader.

Trial Runs

Dexter had the opportunity to wear his monkey costume a couple more times before the real deal. He wore it to reading group at the library and to Wiggleworms.

First Try

We had an awesome Halloween despite Dexter's initial reluctance to wearing his monkey costume! We wisely tried it on him earlier in the week and he pulled at it, cried, and threw a fit. Once I distracted him with the tail, he was fine.

Ashton's 15th Day

Ben, Dexter, and I had the pleasure of meeting young Ashton Oliver on the fifteenth day of his life yesterday. He's a beautiful boy with beautiful parents. Much love to Ashley, John, and Ashton.

Caring for an Other

One day this past week after nap, Dexter had just gotten a diaper change and was eating a snack of cheddar-flavored goldfish when I noticed him go over to his bucket of little 2" tall plastic people and rummage through it until he came up with the "baby" as indicated by the bottle in its hand. He brought the "baby" over to the coffee table and pretend-fed him a goldfish, gently tapping the baby's mouth with the goldfish. Then, Dexter (with "baby" in hand) went over to his diapers, grabbed one, and brought it to the arm chair where he placed the "baby" down on its back, opened the diaper and gently placed the diaper under the baby's lower half. I was so impressed with this act of nurturing an other that my eyes filled with tears.

Ends vs. Means

Dexter knows he's not allowed to throw food on the floor for My Bologna to eat. He still occasionally tests this rule and is immediately removed from his high-chair. Over the last week or so, I've noticed that Dexter puts a little bit of food on the corner edge of his high-chair tray. It took me witnessing My Bologna grabbing the food from the corner of the tray before I realized that Dexter and My Bologna were in cahoots and that Dexter had discovered a way of feeding My Bologna without throwing food on the floor. Smart boy figuring out another means to the end but now we need to explain that it's the feeding of My Bologna that is not allowed, not just the food delivery method.

The Crying Dexter

We think we will blow this up to poster size to hang in the living room with pictures of the Crying Jiffy and the Crying Ben taken when they were about the same age. It really captures the essence of his misery.

Prince AND Pauper

First Sentence

Dexter said his first sentence this weekend..."I love Daddy". It was in response to me saying, "I love you, Dexter." By the end of the weekend, we got him to say, "I love Mama," as well. I figure Dexter hears me say, "I love Daddy," a lot more than he hears Ben say, "I love Mama." I think Ben thinks this may be the case too so it was very nice that he has since ramped up the Mama loving phrases in front of Dexter.

OVERTIRED

Leads to a dinnertime fit only to be soothed by "prison food" of bread and water. It's like this some evenings when he decides he'd rather have an afternoon party in his crib than a nap.

Preparing for the SATs?

During a diaper change this morning, Dexter pointed to his socks and said, "Ga". I said, "socks". He kept pointing and saying , "Ga," which was an indication that I didn't guess his attempted communication correctly. I said, "Well, I don't know what you mean, Dexter." He then pointed to the carpet and said, "Ga." I know that he knows the carpet is gray so I said, "Oh, you're saying your socks are gray?" That seemed to do the trick. Dexter smiled as if I had finally gotten the point he was trying to make. Then I said, "Well, Dexter, your socks aren't really gray, they are beige. Beige is to brown what gray is to black." He looked at me quizzically.

Zookeepers

Dexter and Ian went to the zoo yesterday (with Mommy, Elissa, and Jason). I think Dexter enjoyed watching and following Ian who is almost exactly one year older than Dexy. It was like he had a big brother. The two of them enjoyed looking at the fountain (Ian especially!), the rhinos, the african dogs, and the buffalo. Dexter pointed out every cart and tram as well as a jeep that was part of a display. It was a chilly day so we warmed ourselves up in the enclosed children's zoo where the boys saw lemurs, turtles, birds, and a huge frog. They enjoyed playing the part of zookeepers and spent a fair amount of time sweeping the floors in the zookeeper play area. They shared a snack of crunchy apples (thanks Elissa!) and after the zoo we had a lovely lunch at a local diner. Dexter, as usual, impressed everyone with his "I'll eat anything and everything" approach to meals. He even tried to pilfer fries and a pickle from Elissa's plate. I'm just waiting for the day when he gets picky about food - everyone warns me that it's coming.