Pears and big coats

This is the risk we take when we leave fruit out to ripen. He would have eaten part of a third pear as well but I was able to distract him. :) But at least he's eating fruit and not cookies! Though believe me, if I left cookies out on the table he'd make short work of those, too.

With the onset of cold weather, I also thought I'd share a photo of our guy bundled up for the snow. After one of our first snow storms I ran around town trying to find him the proper attire for building a snowman. He refused the big mittens I bought (though he loves his smaller, knit mittens, which we were able to get on him before heading outside), and he isn't a huge fan of the big coat either. As for the snow, he's not sure what to make of it. I think he likes it in theory, but in reality it's cold and difficult to walk in and sometimes you fall face first in it which is no fun. Soon enough he won't be able to get enough of it, but for now I think he prefers his outdoors without the white stuff.

What I like about you

Despite all of the challenges that Dashiell's ever-growing independence is bringing, there are so many things that I like about him. Obviously I'm his mom and love all the things he does, but even if I wasn't there would still be plenty to like! Here's a short list, in no particular order:

-He likes to sing to Christmas songs. Whenever "Wonderful Christmastime" comes on the radio, he starts singing "doo-doo-doo" and bops his head. And he requests "Jingle Bells" all the time ("jicka-ba"--took us a while to figure that one out!).
-He loves giving kisses, and makes a "mu-ah!" sound every time he gives you a kiss.
-He's got a great sense of humor! He'll laugh at anything. Yesterday I kept putting his Yertle the Turtle doll on top of my head and naming all the things Yertle was now king of, then "burping" so Yertle would fall off my head, and man it was like it was the funniest thing Dashiell had ever seen! Really boosts your ego to have a toddler around...
-He loves a good snuggle, especially if there are books involved.
-He likes to clean, or at least pretend to clean. We're working on developing this love of cleaning to keep it strong (if only it were possible!).
-He'll gladly hold your hand when walking outside or in public places. Not only is this a good safety procedure, it's just plain nice.
-He's always got a smile for anyone he sees.

Cranky pants

This is what this morning looked like. Actually this picture was taken a few days ago, but it could have easily been this morning. It was a rough one! Started with a 5:30 am hysterical wake-up (he also woke up crying last night at around midnight--ugh!), then after a snuggle in my bed until 6 am it was time for me to get ready for work, so we began our morning. At every turn, Dashiell cried. We went downstairs for breakfast, and he cried because the Christmas tree wasn't lit yet. He cried because he only got to eat half a banana at breakfast. He cried when he got yogurt all over his hands. He cried when he finished his milk. He cried when his Hot Wheels guitar wasn't working because we hadn't turned it on yet. He cried after a few small tumbles, things that he would normally shake off and move on from. He cried when we went upstairs to change his diaper and when I brushed my teeth. He was hysterical when he couldn't get up-close to the bamboo plant at the top of the stairs (it's on the other side of the gate, and I was still getting ready for work and didn't want to leave the stairs un-gated). And when I put on my coat to leave, it was like the world was ending. So I don't know if this is the start of the terrible two's (though he's only 20-months old), or if he's teething (doesn't look like the 2-year molars are coming in yet, but it could be just the beginning...), or maybe he's getting sick. Whatever the problem, I have to admit that I was kind of relieved to be able to get out of the house...without Dashiell...I know it's a horrible thing to say but sometimes a mom needs a little break!

I do feel bad that Rick has to be the one to deal with all the tears today, especially since yesterday was such a lovely day, despite the fact that we were stuck inside. We did crafts and played and watched some Curious George and Dashiell was happy all day long. We had to miss story time at the library, but we did read many books and sing many songs all by ourselves, so we made up for it! Dashiell is a bit obsessed with our Christmas tree and spent much of the day pointing out the various ornaments to me. So here are a couple of happy pictures of my little guy, hanging out with the Christmas tree. I'm a bit bummed that the bottom picture isn't focused on him, but it's cute anyway...

Thanksgiving Wrestling Match

Dashiell won. :)

In fact, he won all the battles of Thanksgiving this year, including the Battle of the Nap (none to be had!) and the Battle of Bedtime (he refused to sleep in his portable crib and could only sleep in my bed with me--I should add that he's NEVER slept a full night in my bed before, so this was completely new to both of us!). Sigh. But other than those relatively small issues, he had a fine time. Aunt Elizabeth (Auntie E) and her boyfriend Danny (Danny B) were in town from California and it was wonderful to see them and spend time with them. Dash is completely enamoured with Danny B, and has spent the last week repeating his name (or rather "Dandy B", which let's face it is pretty dang funny) over and over and over again, every once in a while throwing in an "Auntie E" for good measure.