Making Sense

Yesterday, Dexter got his school bus out and was playing with it on the coffee table when I asked him if he could tell Mommy a story about the school bus. He looked at me quizzically then went and got a book and read a story TO the school bus. "Here is a dump truck, School Bus." He looked up at me for approval and I had to give it to him. Not exactly what I requested but I was delighted!

Potty Training

Shortly after we got back from Mississippi, Ben and I decided to start the potty training with Dexter. We had bought him a bunch of adorable "big boy" underwear and let him look through them and get excited about wearing them. First thing the next morning, we asked Dexter if he wanted to wear big boy underwear and he enthusiastically replied, "yes!" So we let him pick out a pair and we helped him get them on. Then came the periodic asking if he needed to do a pee pee or poo poo and if he wanted to sit on the potty. We asked every ten minutes or so and each time, Dexter replied, "yes!" So we'd get him on the potty and read a book and wait. And wait. And nothing would happen so we'd ask if he wanted to get off the potty and he was just as enthusiastic about that as he was about getting on. About an hour went by (with potty visits every ten minutes or so) and nothing had happened. Ben headed off to work and a few minutes later, I asked Dexter if he had to go potty and he said, "yes!" As he was sitting on the potty, I smelled poop and got so excited.

I said, "Dexter, Mommy smells poo poo - are you pooping in the potty?"

Dexter replied, "no."

"Dexter, are you sure? I think you're pooping in the potty!" In my mind, I was getting more and more excited that he was going in the potty.

"No."

"Dexter, Mommy smells poop. You're going poop in the potty!" I was convinced that Ben and I were genius parents of a genius child and that potty training had taken us less than 2 hours.

"No."

As I looked down, I saw that the poop that I had been smelling was the poop that was all over his legs. He had pooped in this underwear and I had not noticed when I pulled his pants down to try to go on the potty. OK, Ben and I are not genius parents and Dexter knew what he was talking about when he denied that he was pooping on the potty. I guess this means there are many more potty adventures in store for us in the future.

New Attire

Dexy came home with a lot of new clothing (including a red Stax T-shirt from one of Ben's and my outings to the Stax Museum in Memphis). Dexter wore his new Coon Skin Cap (that we bought at the Riverpark Museum Gift Shop) to dinner at the restaurant at the Harley Davidson Dealership south of Memphis. Ben and I got him the tractor T-shirt at a gas station in Tunica.

Riverpark

We all took Dexy to the Riverpark Museum where he saw a barge on the Mississippi River and "walked on wall" before going through the museum and aquarium.

Walking the Grounds

Dexter loved being outside, walking the grounds at Grandma and Gunker's. Unfortunately, with the crazy cool weather, Dexter was dressed in a mashup of his too small "rararina" sweater (a gift from Carolina), a too large Hot Wheels T-shirt, and too short sweatpants. Nonetheless, I think Dexter has the ability to look adorable in anything.

Gunker's Babysitting Technique

I swear I have the exact same photograph of Gunker "babysitting" Ben when he was Dexter's age!

Time For Love

Ben and I were able to take a few days for ourselves, leaving Dexter and My Bologna in Grandma and Gunker's capable hands. It didn't hurt that they had a bunch of country dogs to keep them occupied when Grandma and Gunker weren't spoiling them with attention, love, and food! Ben and I got a fancy hotel room for cheap at a Casino in nearby Tunica. There was a jacuzzi in the middle of the room! We played penny slots, explored the country, ate, and altogether enjoyed each others' company. We also spent a night out in Memphis with some friends where we ate, drank (I had just finished my antibiotics), and got merry. After "a few", I purchased a painting off the wall of the bar - I secretly paid the waitress and then at the end of the night went over and took it off the wall to the surprise of Ben and our friends. What a relief that after nearly 5 years of marriage and more than 2 years since we've had any real time together to be reminded and have the space to re-experience the things about each other that made us fall in love in the first place.

Captain Dexter and First Mate My Bologna

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Should Dexter and My Bologna be the only ones on the boat?!

Gunker's Boat

Dexter and My Bologna had a number of rides on Gunker's boat! Both of them LOVED it!

Early Easter Egg Hunt

It was not even 60 degrees but Grandma and Gunker set up a wonderful Easter Egg hunt for Dexter (even using Ben's childhood Easter basket!). Dexy scored some candy (he loved eating them) and hot wheels cars (still loves playing with them).

Like Father, Like Son, Like Grandson

Ben won...

We're Not At Boomland Anymore

The crazy jeep ride at Chuck E Cheese was real-deal and Dexy was very concerned throughout the whole experience.

Chuck E Cheese

Grandma and Gunker took Dexy to Chuck E Cheese (his very first visit). It was midday on a non-school vacation mid-week day so Dexter got a lot of "quality time" with Chuck E. He gave Chuck E hugs and they "took it to the bridge" together. Chuck E also offered Dexter some tickets and Dexter took them all from Chuck E's open hand. Then Chuck E put his open hand back out and Dexter gave them all back. Chuck E ended up giving almost all of them back to Dexter (who understood the give/take exchange but not the concept of taking only a "few").

Kisses and Cuddles

With Grandma and Gunker...

Boomland

We always stop at Boomland in Missouri on our way to Mississippi or Memphis. This time, Dexter rode the mechanical rides outside.

Vacation - Week 1

Dexter had been treated for an infection in both ears, was allergic to the first antibiotic and had finished the course of the second antibiotic, but had sudden high fever so off to the doctor we went. Verdict? Ears still looked horrible and his throat was a mess. The doctor thought it might be mono. She gave us a prescription for yet another antibiotic and told us if he was feeling better by the end of the week, it was OK to travel to Mississippi as we had planned. Ben had a fever later in the week and, oh yeah, I had seen the doctor and was being treated for a bacterial infection. Our restful first week of "spring cleaning" and doing local fun things was shot (although we did get to Hot Doug's and Moon Palace for lunches!). Luckily, by Sunday we all were feeling well so we packed our antibiotics and headed south.

Clapping Along

Dexter and I had the opportunity to enjoy Daddy's playing at the Chicago Cultural Center recently (it was a noon-time gig). Dexter was captivated.