For most tourists, leaf peeping in Vermont is all about the leaves on the trees, which by the way is finished now as the leaves are off the trees. For a 2.5 foot toddler, however, the height of the season is when the leaves are at his eye (and foot) level.
Happy Halloween!
31 October 2009
Not a baby anymore
Just for reference, one year ago we enjoyed a fabulous meal with good friends. That's Chance there in the sling around Mark's neck.
Last night, we had a similarly fabulous meal with many of the same friends. This time it was a German theme, beef rouladen, red cabbage, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, potato pancakes with applesauce, and German's chocolate cake for dessert. Chance took this as an opportunity to celebrate his heritage and got dressed up for the occasion.
In other news, Chance had his 15 month check up on Friday (ok, he's almost 16 months, but better late than never). He's 31 inches tall and 21.5 pounds, which puts him at the 25 percentile for height and above the 10 percentile for weight. A long way from below the 3rd percertile a year ago.
He also got his H1N1 vaccination, and will get his seasonal flu shot next month, so at least 1 of us will be healthy this year. We were especially keen to get whatever vaccinations we could, as in 6 weeks of playgroup, he's already brought home 2 colds (and learned to share!). He also got pecked by a hungry chicken, but that hasn't stopped him from clutching their coop in an effort to get as close as possible.
In other news, we've been enjoying the fruits of our labors, sampling various efforts at preserving them for the winter. Chance was a big help at taste testing baby foods for his soon-to-be cousin (who we hope will appreciate his efforts).
We've been trying to enjoy the last of the comfortable-to-be-outdoors weather, helping a friend plant garlic on her farm, picking a truckload of apples, spreading compost in our backyard, and a few last rides on the zipline and jumps on the trampoline. Chance likes to push or ride his various vehicles (tricycle, car, ATV) down the driveway and then abandon them to play in the neighbor's garden, which has many strategically placed toys for the kids. But the wheeled vehicles are now stored away and the sleds are getting dusted off.
Teeth, both a Blessing and a Curse.
22 Sept 2009
Ouch. OUCH. OUCH! Mama, dada, ouch, my mouth hurts. Fix it. FIX IT. FIX IT! Ouch, it hurts.
Ahhhhh, T-Y-L-E-N-O-L. Ahhhhh. Just one more squirt please? Ahhhhh. I think I can sleep now.
Hey. Mama, dada, did you see that? This yellow corn-stuff just falls out into my mouth. This is so fun, and delicious. Why didn’t you ever tell me about corn? Mmmmm, corn. I love corn. It’s the best food ever, just like watermelon and ice cream are the best, too. I love ice cream. But corn, corn is good food AND entertainment. I can carry it wherever I go, and it lasts for, well, minutes. And it makes everybody laugh, and that is worth a lot.
Why is mama making a mean face? And why is dada saying ‘Ouch’? What is the meaning of this nasty word “HURT”? I thought I was supposed to close my mouth when things are in my mouth? I am so confused. When I drink from a cup, you tell me to close my mouth, but now there’s a finger in my mouth and I shouldn’t close my mouth? Please make up your mind. I’m just a baby you know, I have a very small brain, and it doesn’t take much to confuse me. Maybe I need more ice cream for brain development.
Ouch. OUCH. OUCH! My finger hurts. Make it stop RIGHT NOW. What did you do to my finger? OK, keep eating, eating is good, especially this tasty carrot, oh how I love carrots. Carrots are the best. OW! OW! OW! My tongue, my tongue, it hurts, make it stop!
Ohhh, more watermelon and corn and squash and carrots and pizza crusts and ice cream and popsicles please. Mmmmmmm.
The things he carries
(with apologies to Tim O’Brien)
It’s pretty amazing how much less time there is for anything now that Chance walks. He started walking without help the day after his birthday, and he's pretty much been on his feet since then (except to sleep – he sleeps HARD). Currently, he likes to be carrying something while he walks. In fact, it seems like he walks just so that he can be carrying something.
Carrying one of his shoes is a particular favorite (though he will also carry his hat, a guitar tuner, a remote control, or a block). He picks it up at one end of the room, carries it to the next room, then makes a dramatic, sweeping circle, and walks back to repeat the process. Sometimes he stumbles, sometimes he can be tempted to put the shoe down (like for food). But then he squats down and carefully picks it back up again, so that he doesn’t fall, and he’s back walking in a circle and then across the room.
Young Chance has started to form opinions that are not necessarily shared by the management. For one who does not yet talk, he certainly makes himself clear (unlike some people who do talk). He pulls his hand away when he doesn’t want you to hold it. He shoves his cup away when he doesn’t want to drink. He brings us things he needs help opening or operating. And he can find his favorite toys if we ask him to.
He’s still in a pretty small package (18.5 pounds, 28 inches at his last checkup), but he’s “on the charts” now, between the 3rd and 5th percentile for his age. His parents think back to a year ago and really can’t understand how they managed to get through the days on so little sleep. We’re relieved that he likes the water (pools, lakes, puddles) and likes to ride with his mom on her bike.
So, while we might have less time for the little things like blogging, at least he likes to do the things we like to do.
It's been a year already?
Tables don’t just fall from the sky…or do they?
We invited a crowd of friends & family for Chance’s first birthday and only after the invites went out did we realize that we didn’t really have the facilities for all these people. We figured there would be something in the basement that we could use for an outdoor table, or maybe in the garage, but our searches turned up nothing really feasible. As an aside, we were smart enough to include our new address on the invitation even though we hadn't moved yet. We were quite proud of this, but apparently it confused a few people who didn't expect us to think that much.
Back to the table - Not really knowing what to do, but having enough other things going on to keep us busy, we just ignored the situation. The morning of the big day finally arrived. Erin checked her email to find that one of our neighbors had a picnic table they were getting rid of. Mark and Sue waited until a reasonable Saturday morning hour, and retrieved said picnic table. It’s a little homely, but covered with a festive red, white and blue table cloth, it was just what we needed.
With a name like Chance, what else would you expect?
Friends
- Nicole's photo blog
- Tae Kami Medical Fund
Our 13 year old Daughter has cancer - share our journey as we walk through the storm... - Dave Shin
- Jude and Leslee O'Reilley
- Erica Brown
- Justin & Rebecca
Kayak trips in Tonga - Jim Smith
PC neighbor in Tonga
