words and such

Today Theo made linguistic history. I am almost certain that no other child has ever said the following combination of words for the first time in one day:

- Booty
- Turtle
- Burr (as in cold)

No, he didn't use booty in the sexist male way that it is often used - "damn, that's a fine booty." It came out when he was having a nice healthy snack in his high chair at the far end of the kitchen. I walked in at the other end and discreetly opened the bag of Veggie Booty (a salty, veggie seasoned puffed corn snack popular with the kids these days) that was hidden on the counter and took a handful. I looked over at Theo. He smirked and as clear as day said “booty.” Of course he wanted some and so I turned his healthy snack into a not-so-healthy one.

He also showed his comprehension of the word booger for the first time. He had some sweet boogers in his nose today (has been cold and dry). Earlier today I tried to relieve the little guy of his boogers to no avail. He didn’t like it. Then this afternoon when he was having milk I got a big one. I repeatedly used the term at both attempts. Then at dinner Penny asked Theo where he stores boogers and he pointed up his nostril at his nose. Amazing.

He seems to be adding words quickly. Others that he started saying in the past few days:

- Bear (sounds sort of like burr above but you know he’s saying bear because he has the bear Christmas tree ornament in hand)
- Boat (doesn’t say the “t” very well but can point to his toys that are boats and say “boa”)
- Grapes (admittedly doesn’t sounds much like grapes but he says eps)
- Zipp (he likes to make a zipping sound when he sees a zipper)
- Clock (sounds more like dah but he makes that sound when pointing at a clock, will also make a tick – tock type of sound when he sees one)

Overall he seems really comfortable with b words.

Tonight he got back on the walking track too. The past few days he seems to have gotten a little more independent. He’s willing to walk down the kitchen without Penny’s hand and he has also started to stand up from the downward dog position more often. He always seems to make the most progress just before bed. Tonight we moved the ottoman out of the way in the living room and played our usual game with the doggy and kitty stacking donut toy. I sit on the chair, Penny sits on the couch with the donuts stacked on the cart, and Theo brings all the pieces over to me (one or two at a time). Tonight he walked back and forth over a dozen times and did so with lots of confidence. Although he doesn’t always go in a straight line. Penny likened it to a professional bowler who spins the ball such that you think it is gonna be a gutter ball but somehow it curves right into the heart of the pins for a strike.

Two firsts

One big first deserves another. First my first. This is Dad posting his first entry to our favorite blog. So what would bring Dad to take this big leap forward you ask? Well I was inspired by Theo who made his own big leap forward today. You probably know that he has been walking around for months now with our assistance and at the expense of our lower backs. And lately he has been taking a few steps here and there (from the ottoman to the chair or from the step to the ottoman for example). Well today he let loose and just started cruising around all over the place on his own. He walked and then started running (I'm not joking). It wasn't always pretty and the faster he went the more paranoid mom and dad were about a serious face plant. Thankfully no major wipe outs today anyway.

We're not sure what he was waiting for. We have thought for a few weeks that he was capable but maybe not confident enough. Maybe today he finally had the confidence. Maybe he just likes to make us wait. Kind of like he did with his arrival into the world. Or maybe he likes to make sure he knows what he's REALLY doing before trying something. Or maybe he was just motivated by the snazzy new rug that arrived for his bedroom today. Not really sure.

This clip is honestly the tip of the ice berg because we didn't think to get the camera out until the very end of the action.

Anyone know how the term ottoman evloved from an empire into a term for a piece of living furniture?

More UPS Man

At Pinkerton


On the front porchAnd at Peps with Maddie (Cow), Elsa (Bee), Emma (Sweetpea) and Blake (Lion). Crying over some mystery trauma.

Enjoying a papadum, right before we over-spiced him.

Halloween dinner.

Look how much fun this kid's having!

Despite the long face, and the fact that he didn't actually get any candy, Theo had a really fun Halloween. More photos to come (this one is from the KEXP.org blog). Last night we saw his Peps buddies, today we went to KEXP, then to Ballard to walk around with all the little kiddie trick or treaters, and then out for Indian food. Where we gave him too much spicy food, and had to try to soothe his little taste buds with some Mango Lassi.

Also, in between gigs being the cutest UPS man ever, he took some real steps, all by himself, and holding the Swiffer!

The Truth Hurts

Yesterday, at the playground, Theo got called "slobbery." A little kid said to his mom, "That little guy is slobbery." Which is true, he is. His mom told him he used to be slobbery, too, and I said that slobbery was an improvement over barfy.

Whistle While You Eat

Theo thinks he can whistle. And we haven't been telling him otherwise, I kind of like his technique.

Summer's Over, I Guess

Time to post a few photos from this Summer that i never got around to posting earlier. Here's me, John, and Captain Grumpypants on a walk to Greenlake.

Blueberries, fresh picked from your garden. It's a Good Thing.

Less Martha Stewart, more Uncle Pete.

The boys out to dinner.

My, what big lips you have! The better to drool with, my dear.