The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

Like son
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

When I was little, I was primarily known for two things: talking nonstop and untaping my diapers. Well friends, the old adage about the apple is true. This morning I went to get Goose up for the day, and whaddayaknow, his diaper was beside him in the crib (luckily it was empty).

Then later today, the guys went on a walk and JEB was trying furiously to remove his hat. B was patiently replacing it each time and saying "no" firmly. After about 22 times, The Dad finally won and the hat stayed on. But about a minute later, The Goose looked up at his dad and said, “no no no no no no no.”

When B was little, he was a climber and can you tell where this is headed? A few days ago I found JEB in his room on top of a plastic bin which is directly in front of his window. He climbed up to get a better view.

The pictures above are of B and J at about the same age. Can you tell which is which? After my trip to Mississippi this weekend, I’m hoping to get one of myself to post.

If you want to comment on anything, you can click on the pictures and then make your comments about the photos themselves inside the program I use called “Flickr.”

Thanks for reading!

What's that Mr. Nike?

What's that Mr. Nike?
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

You want to use my photos in your ads? Well, that sure is flattering, but I don't think you have enough money in your little account for that. This kid ain't for sale.

Goose's new outfit looks so cute on him ... especially while he was playing with his soccer ball. Thanks Grammy!

Yesterday we went downtown for a birthday celebration. We attempted to go to a restaurant, but The Goose ended up on top of the table alternately stuffing sugar packets in his mouth and dunking his hand into our glasses of ice water. So we abandoned the idea of eating (you know it's bad when I will turn down food to avoid a potential BMSF) and went to a grassy area by the river which runs through town. We let JEB crawl around in the grass for awhile (he can't do this at home because we're too worried about him eating chicken poop). He liked this better, and you can see the photos if you click on the one above.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

Dear John Letters

ZERBERT
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

This is the first in a series of birthday letters to JEB. I must admit that I stole the idea from someone else, but here goes ...

Dear JEB,

You are 10 months old today, but I feel like your my new baby doll toy. Sometimes you're an unbelievably fun toy that I want to take everywhere and show off and brag about, and other times you're a toy that requires lots of assembly and batteries in a size that we don't have in the house (and we suspect they don't even sell). But you are ALWAYS MY favorite perty.

Obviously you aren't yet aware that I know what's best for you. And partially you are right; however, I wish that you could just trust me on the matter of electrical outlets.

You sleep with your butt in the air. You eat with your hands ... the spoon is so insulting to you that we don't even try anymore. Diaper changes are like holy war in our house. Up to now, I have always come out the victor, but I can see that that ability will continue to diminish as you get bigger and stronger. You can wave and give high fives. You practice soccer daily. You like your toys, but you really love cold bottles, the stereo, and the computer's on/off button. You eat pickles and spaghetti (sometimes together). You grab your sippy cup when you're thirsty and throw it when you're all done. You LOVE your daddy.

You are certainly the hardest work I've ever done. I'm trying my best, but I'm still so far from the supermom that I want to be for you. I haven't yet learned how to contain my love -- it still burns up everything around it like a wildfire -- my career, my relationships with friends and family, my ability to control the panic I feel when when I start thinking about how lucky I am and what if it were all taken away suddenly? But I'm working on it, and I always will.

Love,
Mama

Dish Duty

DISHWASHER 001.JPG
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

Today JEB discovered the dishwasher, crawled inside, and investigated the detergent compartment. Don't worry, it was a clean load, so all of the detergent had been rinsed away and anyway, we use non-toxic, biodegradable dish fluid.

Also, yesterday, on LEARN EVERYTHING DAY, there was one other thing that I forgot to write:

#5. Putting a ball in a cup and taking it out. Over and over. Again and again. Repeatedly.

This morning, the zerbert craze continued. I was on the floor stretching my back when he crawled over, pulled up my shirt, and zerberted my stomach just like last night in the tub. Good stuff.

Happy Friday!

Learn Everything Day

ZERBERT
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Did you know that today was LEARN EVERYTHING DAY? Here is a list of what our Prince accomplished today:

1. Saying "Bah," for "ball," as you already know.

2. Standing by himself for approximately 32 seconds.

3. Imitating me saying "BYE-BYE" on the phone to Grammy. Yes, on the same day he said, "Bah." Yes, I know, it's unbelievable.

4. Playing zerbert in the bathtub on mommy's tummy.

Now, #4 may need a little bit of explanation ...

Usually during hairwash nights, I get in the tub with The Goose just to prevent a major backache and mopping the floor. So tonight while he was playing, I just relaxed back and watched. Then, all of a sudden, he crawled up onto my belly, buried his face, and blew. Like a fart sound. Like a zerbert. Like he's a total and complete genius comedian wonderbaby. Then, he looked up at me, laughed hysterically (see above picture), and proceeded to do it over and over again until all three of us were exhausted from laughing. It was THE funniest thing in the history of The Goose, and possibly the funniest and happiest moment of my life to date.

What did YOU do on Learn Everything Day?

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Grinning
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

The Goose has spoken his first word! I thought my ears were deceiving me yesterday, but it was confirmed this morning by the Dad who lives here ...

Our little genius can say BALL! Ok, so actually it's more like BAH, but he definitely means ball and can even say it while practicing soccer (further evidence of his soaring development).

Today I pointed at the ball three times and said, "What's this?" and he replied, "BAH." Then I made him cry by jumping up and down screaming HE DID IT HE DID IT HE DID IT!

Today we are going for a tour of a "Mommy's Day Out" program that The Prince is considering for the fall. It's only one of his many options, and they're courting him big time. He insisted upon an 11 a.m. appointment instead of their suggestion, 10 a.m. Who do they think they are? What ten month old isn't napping at 10 a.m.? Please people, don't insult him.

The Hedgehog has Been Located

Hedgehog
Originally uploaded by Kimmy Crack Corn.

Last night I was unpacking The Prince's suitcase from the Ozark Adventure and happened to look in a pocket that hadn't been opened since our last trip to Mississippi (in April). In it I found The Lost Hedgehog Teether, which was a favorite. I gave it to The Goose prior to his bath last night and he appeared to be very happy that we had finally located his lost perty. Note the concentration as he examines it closely, thinking, "Hmmm, I don't remember these bitable feet, but otherwise all parts appear to be intact."

Prior to this bath shot, he did his pre-bath ritual ... running around naked upstairs ("airing it out"), rolling out the TP, eating some, then clogging the drain with it. Here's proof:

Note that despite the TP distraction, The Hedgehog is still in hand.

After bathtime, we always have storytime. It begins with Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, pictures by Clement Hurd (it's always important to say the author and illustrator). This is followed by Is Your Mama a Llama (or, as B likes to say, "Is your mama Kim Laden?"), and then a prayer from the daily prayer book. On good nights, it looks like this:

Other times it resembles what happens when you try to give oral medication to a cat. Note Hedgehog still in hands.

In my previous post about our family vacation, I forgot to mention that Great Grandpa B brought The Goose a very special gift: a collapsible, silver baby cup that has been passed down to family members named John since 1860. It has even been around the world. A treasure!

Other "happies" from the trip included a Minnesota Twins outfit (also from GGB), and several outfits from Grammy (my personal favorite of which is a onesie that reads, "If I can reach it, I can wreck it"), more Baby Einstein DVDs (hints work, even if they're subtle), and a set of jumbo-sized lego blocks. Thanks y'all!

It is still cloudy/rainy/windy from the hurricane, but we're having a blast. Yesterday we went to our favorite Japanese restaurant and The Goose attracted all sorts of attention by eating avocado slices and rice from my chopsticks. Talent oozes from this child.

Happy Wednesday to all!