Dean at One Year Six Months
Sunday, November 20th, 2011
Dean is getting so big. He is bursting out of 18 month clothing already. I squeeze him in because I really want to get a few more wearings out of each piece- is that so wrong? Yes, the snaps and buttons strain but if one can still pull them together, it's all good....Of course, my son's preference is to go starkers but we have had a few too many accidents for that sort of behavior.
I can't take Dean with me anymore to Sasha's preschool when I volunteer. He isn't content to stay in his Ergo but wants to run around willy nilly. I don't think the teachers would approve. Fortunately I know someone with a son only a few months older than Dean and she offered to volunteer watching him. Dean loves it there; they have a huge backyard complete with a million play toys and a trampoline. Dean spends the whole time racing from area to area. While he has no interest in the toys or the other boy (who loves to follow Dean about), he enjoys getting up and down on the lawn furniture. Occupies him for at least a half hour. When I come to pick him up, he does NOT want to go home.
We capitulated and got Dean his first haircut. His afro was less Einstein and more Bozo. I really wanted his hair to be long and floppy but it wasn't growing downward, only outward. I took him to our local kids' salon. He wasn't too thrilled about getting the tresses chopped and whined/ screamed the entire time. There was some bucking but the hairdresser was able to get it done. She even buzzed around the ears and neck for a finished look (at this point he was trying to crawl up me and wailing). A true pro; she didn't once nip him throughout the bucking and wild head careening. And, the results are fabulous although it makes him look more like a little boy and less like my little baby. I don't think he notices the difference, though. Just as long as he never, ever has to sit in that barber's chair again. I think I will make Jimmy take him next time....
Dean was a "dragon/ lizard" for Halloween- I only put him the costume for ten minutes. He's too young to trick-or-treat and even at the parties, we just let him wear street clothes. Costumes impede him from running around like a banshee. I don't know how I got him to be ok with this for as long as he was. Actually I am lying; he will allow me almost anything to get to go outside. He was happy cavorting in 90 degree weather with this sucker on but we took pity. While I was taking photos of Sasha in her costume, he managed to escape (he managed to make it to the street before Sadie with her unbelievably quick 19 year old reflexes, caught him).
Dean has not started talking or comprehending words, still won't respond to his name. Although it has only been a short time since his ear surgery, we are still worried. We are getting a referral so that he may have a speech evaluation. If there are any problems, I want to catch them early. He continues to be the sweetest boy ever. He loves his books, balls, and being outstide. Bath time is always a blast. And, although he hates having his diaper changed, he will always lay still when his mama sings him, "Hush Little Baby" and "The Wheels on the Bus". My beautiful boy loves music (although he still won't go to Music Time at Imagination Ave- someday....).
Sasha at Four Years and Five Months
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
Can you tell how excited Sasha was over Halloween? I have to admit that it is my favorite holiday- candy and dress-up: can it rock anymore than that? And, between the parties, decorating, and actual trick-or-treating, this holiday can last nearly three weeks in our household. Last year post-Halloween, I had the foresight to buy highly discounted decorations. We were able to snazz up the house a little bit (I think my sister's reaction was, "OMG, how tacky!" A bit rich from the 35 year old who used to think leopard print was a household must). We had a banner, metal pumpkin yard posts, and a ghostly wreath upon our door. Sasha was very excited and helped to place all of the above.
We also carved a pumpkin. Sasha drew in most of the face (eyes and nose) while I was assigned the mouth. I made it smiley but Sasha was opposed to that. Apparently, it had to be sad. Here is our unfortunate jack o' lantern. Sasha, my OCD progeny, refused to scoop out the "icky stuff". However, she had no problem dictating exactly how I was supposed to scrape the innards. I admit it that I am not a talented digger or carver. We aren't going to win any awards for our pumpkin but it was just fine.
Sasha, like most of her class, decided to be a Disney pincess this year. Cinderella. I tried to get her to switch to Snow White but she was adamant. Actually, I think it turned out quite cute. And, Sasha adored the costume. She even made me put her hair in a bun. She really wanted glass high heels but I put my foot down on that one. Sasha could make do with her maryjanes. Her school put on a extravaganza similar to last year's. There was the parade, the petting zoo, the games, the basket hunt, and the crafts. The foods were a lot healthier, though. I guess the mother in charge decided to try to reduce the sugar content of an already laden holiday. Futile attempt but admirable. I was one of the volunteers but spent most of the time trying to get a photo of my dodging darting daughter. All of the kids were on hyper drive. I was assigned a group of kid for the outdoor games. It happened to be an all-girls one and I have to say, I had the easiest time aligning them. One mother stuck with a bevy of quaking boys, threw her hands up in despair. The animals were quaking in the petting zoo as the kids (oblivious to the rules) zipped around screaming. Disorganized and fun!
We went to a friend's party the friday night before Halloween. While Dean ran around aimlessly, Sasha had a blast (as Tinkerbell- costume change!!!!!) On Halloween, Sasha's best bud came over to trick-or-treat with us. We left Sadie and Dean at home, while Jimmy, the kids, and I gallivanted around the neighborhood. I have never seen Sasha so confident as when she is demanding candy. She wasn't scared of the scary decorations or costumes. Cool as a cucumber, she had a mission and she wasn't to be deterred. Ayla was a bit more tremulous until she downed a few chocolate bars. Sugar, like alcohol for an adult, gives a kid a sense of bravado!
We met some neighbors along the way and joined their group. One of the daughters was about two, so Sasha being ever motherly, held her hand and helped her get candy at every place. I cut the night short at 8. The kids had more than enough candy to last for months. Blissfully zonked out on sugar, Sasha even allowed us to wipe off most of the chocolate off her face. In the ensuing weeks, she has been pretty good about the goody quantity limits we imposed- she even censored herself once! It'll be even more fun when Dean gets old enough to join in the antics!
