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.