4th
First Haircut: Before
“Hi. I Cow.”
“I Sheep.”
“Do jumping together?”
“One.. two… three!”
Tonight baby started counting out loud as he was falling asleep. He counted (mostly) to 64 by himself. Only mostly, because he lost track mid-thirties and switched to mid-forties… 31, 32, 33, 34, 45, 46, 47, 47, 48, 49…. Fifty!
Then he trailed off mid-sixties… 62, 63, 64… Sixty-poopoo… Sixty-doodoo… Sixty-nahnah….
Ok baby. Good counting. Go to sleep.
Boy woke up saying something about a cruise ship.
“Did you dream you were on a cruise ship, baby?”
“A big cruise ship!”
“What were you doing on the cruise ship?”
“Finding motorcycles!”
“That sounds fun. Did you do anything else?”
“Fly in a big airplane!”
My boy loves cars and trucks and things that go.
We have been talking about his birthday for awhile, and I don’t know if he understands that the earth has passed around the sun, but he certainly grasps the idea of cupcakes and presents.
He woke up yesterday, we sang as soon as he opened his eyes, then played Happy Birthday Broby! By the Ting Tings from Yo Gabba on YouTube.
Downstairs there was a note and present for “Shrimp” from MC Bat Commander of the Aquabats.
He had to go wake up Jaja and Mummum before he could open it. The best way to wake up grandparents is to bust into the guestroom and climb in their bed. Yelling “Hello!” and “Wake up, Jaja!” and demanding to be tickled also helps.
He opened two tshirts and two sheets of stickers with the Aquabats logo. Also in the gift bag was a wrapped box. He tore off the paper. A blue ukelele! A real musical instrument, not a toy guitar. Now he is in the band.
After breakfast he opened more gifts from Jaja and Mummum. We already set up his big present, a playhouse with “2” over the door, like the one I had at that age. He had also opened some birthday eve gifts, a bubble blowing set for the bath and Toy Story pajamas. He is big into Buzz and Woody, Rex and Bullseye, Jesse (he calls Candy), the whole gang.
The haul after breakfast included a stuffed alligator, a notebook, crayons and markers. But his favorites were a Toy Story book and baseball cap.
He spent the whole day naked, except for shoes and hat. He told us each time he wanted to use the potty, even took a nap without a pullup on and didn’t have any accidents. He wears a pullup at night still, but wakes up dry 5 nights out of 7.
He napped late in the day and was awake when Grandpa Joe and Mimi arrived. After dinner we all sang and had cupcakes. He blew out the candle like a champ.
Mimi had packed a giant gift bag with smaller ones and everything wrapped in tissue. As each new present was pulled out, he would say “Oh wow! Cool!”
He opened several outfits, playsuits and preppy plaid shorts and an oxford button down. He will be a sharp dressed man.
Then fingerpaints, a special pad with smooth paper to paint on, wipeable crayons and a slate with a dry erase marker, ready to go pre-gummed paper chain links, art markers, enough stuff to stock the art supply cabinet for a year. He wanted to use it all right away of course, and it was late by the time he got in the bath.
Today the birthday celebration continues, with a sno cone and sprinkler party in the backyard after nap. And we need to compile his weekly photos from the first two years and post another video of baby’s second trip around the sun.
We love having family in town to celebrate, singing, balloons and presents. But the best part of his birthday was asking him, “Lex, how old are you today?”
“I’m TWO. I’m an OLD man!”
His face is shaped like an acorn. His head smells faintly of grilled cheese and baby shampoo. Sometimes he laughs in his sleep. His hands are big like puppy paws when he is awake, but when at rest they are tiny, delicate, perfect. He sleeps with his head on my left shoulder, one arm on my belly, his leg thrown over mine. I listen to his soft breathing, watch the steady rise and fall of his chest, try not to wake him with kisses. When he stirs, I whisper “Your momma is right here, baby.”
We are looking for a big boy bed for his second birthday, but I don’t know if I am ready to give this up.
Saturday night we camped at Pocahontas State Park. Had picnic dinner at the outdoor ampitheatre, listening to live music. Baby danced, ran up and down hills, tossed a football around with a bigger boy.
Woke up Sunday in a tent. Gave Dadda a card and a kiss. Ate roasted marshmallows for breakfast. Ran around the campsite. Sat in a hammock with Isabel while big sister Jett pushed them.
Went to the water play area. Played a little, ate some watermelon. Took a nap. We drove home.
Monday he was fine at school, but feverish and crying in his sleep. We thought it was 2 year molars, but went to the doctor Tuesday. Strep. He started antibiotics right away.
Momma stayed home with him all day. He only wanted noonoos, brown blanket and to lay on the couch watching Pixar movies. He would get hot and sweaty. He smelled like wet dog and grilled cheese.
Dadda stayed home with him the rest of the week. They made art and played in the playroom. Took naps and ran errands. He seems to be feeling alot better. I bet they miss him at daycare.
Three Saturdays we have driven north past Ashland to Mount Olympus Berry Farm. Lex likes picking blueberries pretty well, but he really loves eating them. The first time he put away close to five pounds by himself in twenty-four hours. A little while later, he made a shiny purple poop the size of an egg. His father would not let me take a picture of it, which was probably for the best, but it really was amazing.
Last month the theme for Lex’s class was animals. This month it is water. The Lion and Zebra art came down, but the Turtle and Duck art stayed up to bridge the gap. He made a really wonderful Octopus, with the water background painted then covered in salt for an interesting effect. Then a watermelon, with fingerprint seeds.
I admire all the children’s art, but secretly I think Lex is the most talented. I think Miss Nikki agrees with me. She said he was the only one who got the Octopus’ eyes in the right spot by himself.