That's about as useless as a Mom's college degree

Oh, 30 rock. Before you got so bad, you were so, so good that I use your quotes weekly. Halloween has come and gone but this year Seth was able to enjoy it. I, however, managed to pigeonhole him into a costume for which he has no understanding and possibly never will. I feel like the caption for that photo should be "Mom, am I a baked potato?" Adorable astronaut and great Mom costume aside, this Halloween I was a little remiss that Seth might never get to place meaning with what an astronaut is. History tells us that at one point milk was 5 cents and bus stops were only located at the peak of a double edged hill but I don't KNOW that to be true. Poor Seth will never KNOW what it is to watch people hurtling into space, exploring our earth from above and drinking Tang.

On a less nostalgic note, we went around will the Dudleys this Halloween and Seth had a ball. He wanted nothing to do with me or Matt which made our family costume moot but he sure did enjoy getting candy from people's houses. Instead of trick or treat he said please and instead of thank you he said bye, bye. Nonetheless, he had a blast and Matt and I enjoyed his candy.

When waiting pays off

Seth on his 2nd birthday

I am not known for my patience. Neither are you Seth. When you get all riled up, your piercing shriek makes dogs howl and puts my wine glasses in danger. Despite our genetic inability to play it cool, I've discovered that the things I wish for you turn out so much better than any increase in time could have helped.

Take, for example, your hair. You were a bald, big headed baby well after your first birthday. James Bond was starting to get wary of you. When your hair finally came in, it was more thick, blond, and perfect than I could have dreamed.

Today, freshly two, you are still in the early legs of your speaking journey. You have made leaps and bounds recently but it has not been without a fight. I waited 23 months to hear you say Mama. Today, you totally turned the tables on me. When you fall or slip, I comfort you and then we count your toes to make sure you're OK. This afternoon we were horsing around and I asked you if you were ready for me to eat your toesies. You stopped, pulled up your foot and counted each of your toes. Ohn...too...tee...ohr...iiiii. It was a breathtaking moment. Totally worth every breath it took to make it there.

Four days of malaise

Seth, in general, you are a happy guy. Whether well, ill, or in between, the amount of energy and smiles that you produce should probably qualify us to go off grid. This past Sunday you were a very sick little man and that gave everyone in the house discomfort.

Sometimes when you are in a rage, you throw, hit, and cry like the most maligned two year old on the planet. As your perceived punisher, captor, and enforcer, I know that most of your wrath is focused on me. At times, I'm afraid that your vitriol might be something permanent and your two year old mind will never let you forget the injustice of how your mother didn't let you take your train outside. Then come times like the past four days.

You clung to me, curled up in my warmth, and relied on me for your safekeeping. No one else would do, not Daddy, Meme, or even your beloved Poppy. It was my best moment as a parent (thus far). I was so proud and gratified to know that I was your port in a storm that I couldnt have loved you anymore than I thought possible. Even though I was worried sick about you, I wouldn't trade those days for all the tea in England. I love you, Seth.

PS. In the blog-o-verse, I forgot to acknowledge your 2nd birthday. Happy Birthday my love.

The Dead Fish Effect

Seth's first day at daycare

Holy Crap Mommy! Look at all the toys!!!!

For the most part, Seth is a good toddler. He doesn't go too far away, he's happy (unless he's not), and he's gung-ho about new experiences. He's also got a good textbook toddler temper. He might even be editing that text. His best maneuver for displeasure is what I like to call the 'Dead fish effect'. Observe:

I am in a boat in the middle of beautiful Lake Satisfied Parent. Seth is a fish below exploring toddler-thousand leagues deep. The sun is setting on the day's adventure, and I must catch that fish. I snare him and reel him in. He's unhappy, flopping about manically trying to return below the water. Then he goes calm. He's playing dead fish with me.

I dont mind so much the dead fish part but its where he's choosing to do it that isnt so great. Parking lots, streets, store entrances...anywhere the American public is sure to catch this interaction. Addtionally, lifting him up by the hand I'm already holding makes me terrified I'm going to dislocate his arm.

Seth started daycare a couple weeks ago and the dead fish maneuver is his favorite tactic for when he doesn't want to leave. Which he rarely does. That's my boy.

Long time, no blog

Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?!

So it's been almost a year since I last posted. The official reason is 'We were busy." Unofficially, I'm kicking myself and hard. When I was pregnant they all said, "They grow up so fast" or "Before you know it he'll be a teenager". It's true- Seth is now a teenager. I kid, I kid, but he is 21 months old and I've let 10 months of precious moments go undocumented.

Here's a very abridged version of what we missed:
He walks but doesn't talk.
He is no longer a chubby baby but a slender toddler.
He is still very handsome and attracts admirers wherever he goes.
He has never met a stranger. Husbands hold onto your wives they will fall quickly to his wiles.
He uses a spoon/ fork and can drink through a straw


If Seth were a centerfold, these would be his stats:
21 months old, 33.5 inches, 28 lbs, blond hair, blue eyes, cute button nose, no neck or butt

Likes:
Thomas the train (and his band of insipid, unprincipled train comrades)
Anything with wheels
Strawberries
Going to the park/ being outside
Watching Mommy cook
Bathtime
Being read to (aka Mommy's snuggling chicanery)
Jumping on his parents
Toothbrushes
Chips and Salsa
Throwing things with his Olympic level acuity
Pandas

Dislikes:
Sleeping (especially alone)
being denied things
blatant snuggling and PDA
drinking water out of any cup but mommy's
having his diaper changed

Seth is a really happy guy. He smiles all the time and loves to have fun. He inherited his mother's hot temper but his father's general affability. Except when he's keeping us awake at night or has just struck me with his skull of adamantium; we think everything about him is adorable. I love him so much and I will try and post more often to reflect that.

My sweet baby is a toddler

May 11, 2010

May 11, 2009

Yes, I havent posted in forever but I've been busy. Busy chasing a little guy around. He's spry, handsome, and full of laughs so I can't be blamed. Today is his first birthday! I can't believe the year flew by so quickly. Now there's teeth, curly hair, big hearty laugh, and walking such as has never been seen. His party is Sunday and I hope he has a blast because I can't celebrate enough how much I love my Seth.

May I have your attention please!

Hi! I'm nine months old today and I'm just getting cuter.