bicycle

Dylan,

Last weekend you dragged your little bicycle (with training wheels) out of the garage and could actually turn the pedals.

Four weeks ago you could reach 'em but not turn 'em. Now you're riding all the way up the block to visit friends. You've got the steering down pretty well, too.

Dad

while you were sleeping

D,

One night last week while you were already asleep, a poisonous centipede about 6-7" long managed to crawl in under the front door. Mom just happened to get up from her late night reading and find it in the kitchen, just inches from the door to your tiny room. Though on the other side of the door, it was found not more than 2 feet from where you were asleep.

Uncle Marc (who had experienced a centipede several times larger while in Sri Lanka) ably removed it. Well, sort of. He very ably captured it and put it on display in his own room for a while until -- at Mom's repeated insistence -- he finally removed it a good distance from our unit (where he continued its display by leaving it in an overturned clear plastic cup beneath a rock.

As insects go, it was very impressive. But it's a scary thing when some small thing with such potential for harm can wriggle within such proximity to you. It reminds us that no amount of vigilance over your care, your protection, and your safety is to excess.

Dad

mexico nap

Dylan,

It's been routine for many months now to take your naps at "home" in the car. At nap time we put you in the car, you fall asleep and we park you in the garage.

In Mexico this just wasn't going to be an option, so you and I had a little talk. I told you that in Mexico we take naps in our beds, not in the car. And I said what that meant for you was taking your naps in the Pack-N-Play we brought with us. You indicated that you understood, so to be sure I asked you where you were going to take your nap that day. You pointed at the Pack-N-Play and said, "there". I said "Yes. Thank you."

It was a very civilized conversation.

Most every morning when we left the pool I told you we were going to go have lunch and then take a nap. You started calling it a "Mexico nap" and after eating you would actually run to your bedside where I would help you in, cover you and Ivan H. Bear with your ABC blanket, and you'd take it from there.


You've always been an excellent napper at school, but not so good at home. I was really hoping to carry over your "Mexico naps" post-vacation. Mom was able to put you down for a pair of two hour naps this week, in your crib, on your non-school days. Huge. Absolutely huge. Nice job.

Dad

mexico

Dylan,

We spent last week in Mexico on vacation. You spent a lot of time in the pool -- at least once a day, usually twice -- and had a great time climbing up and down stairs, usually pausing to jump from the lowest step.

You impressed a lot of people with your Spanish. It seemed to bring out special smiles when paired with such blond hair and blue eyes.


Dad

tidbit

d,

You sang Happy Birthday to yourself while you ate oatmeal this morning. It included the line "Happy birthday to... years old".

dad

angry

Dylan,

"All done angry?"
"All done angry?"

You weren't cooperating the other day. You were in a precocious mood and started taking playful swipes at my glasses -- one of which took them right off my face.

I told you it made me angry when you did that. It's not a word I normally use with you, but you seem to have gotten a good understanding of it from somewhere.

You backed off, and with your hands together and your head tilted a bit to one side you asked: "all done, all done angry?"

I asked if you were all done hitting me.

"All done angry?"
"All done angry?"

I asked again, and you answered "yes".

"All done angry."
"All done angry."
I said.


Dad

29 lbs

d-

By the way, the official Dr.'s office results have you listed at just 29 pounds (I've been telling people 33-34) and you're 35 inches tall.


dad

very very proud

Dylan,

Mom just called and gave me an update following your doctor appointment this afternoon. She told me how proud she was of you because you did a better job handling that sort of ordeal than she does.

You got two shots in the leg and a blood draw to check your iron level. You stared at the doctor while she checked your mouth, nose, eyes and what all. Then you earned serious trooper points for going down to the lab and enduring another blood draw. Mom was worried because you started the afternoon by waking up early from your nap and at the lab there was nobody to help hold you still if needed. She warned you of one more "poke poke", and you squirmed at first, but then patiently watched the vial fill with your precious red stuff.

Now you're off to the park to play until dark. Hopefully you'll be in a good mood when Uncle James comes over for dinner.

Dad

train story

Dylan,

Mommy used a recent bedtime cuddle session to tell you an impromptu story about a train. So enthralling was this story that you were telling me bits about it -- complete with hand signs -- while I was putting you to bed.

The story has become part of your routine, and it has grown in length and scope. You tell me about the "train that stops" (to pick up little boys and girls and teddy bears and take them over a bridge and into the land of night-night) and has a funnel for steam, and is black. It is real to you like no other story you've been told.

I can hear Mommy right now wrapping up the story, and your subdued voice echoing the colorful details here and there. Time for me to step into your darkened room and give my eyes a chance to adjust before Mom brings you in.

Dad

drawing board