From the Mouths of Babes in February

Linus is slowly becoming a little man. He is very expressive.  It's odd to suddenly hearing more adult phrases coming from a two year old.  Below are the ones we've been hearing most commonly.

"This one looks okay."  Said when selecting anything from a solitary green bean to toy for Eileen.

"I love my ______."   insert inanimate object like chicken, fork, monster truck....

"I'm so happy to see my ______."  again, insert inanimate object

"Hmmm. Let me see...."  Said when asked what song he would prefer before sleep.

"I have an idea..."

"You stay right here. I'll be right back."

Linus has an alphabet puzzle he recently became interested in playing with.  I believe the show, Super Why, is behind the sudden increased interest in letters. Here's how playing with the alphabet puzzle works.
     
      Linus: What's this owl called?
      Me: It's not an owl.  It's a letter. It's the letter ___.
      Linus:  Okay Mommy.  (places letter in correct spot)  What's this owl called?

The best quote of the month came while Linus was enjoying some naked time:
   
      Linus: I don't like my nipples.  I want my nipple go away.

Tool Time

There was no preschool today due to midwinter break so we had a quiet morning at home.  Eileen was minding her own business when Linus exclaimed,

"Oh no Baby Eileen! You broken."

Linus got his tools and proceeded to "fix" baby Eileen.

Eileen tries in vain to fend off the tape measure threatening to restrict her oxygen.

Eileen gives in and decides to play along as Linus drills her head.

Just a few more taps should do it.

After a few minutes of swift work with the tool box, Linus announced,

"Baby Eileen you fixed. Handy Manny says lets go tools."

It's so good to have a man around the house.

Sailboat Binky and Shadow Puppets

We went to Portland to visit my sister, Beth, and her family.  It was a very relaxing and successful trip.  The four of us all managed to squeeze into the guest bedroom/office.  This morning shortly before we left, sailboat binky fell onto the floor and under the couch.  Beth keenly suggested that maybe we leave it there.  Sailboat binky is now keeping cousin Dylan company.  Linus had previously suggested that pink binky had run away to Dylan's house, so it all kind of makes sense that sailboat binky would end up there too.

Fast forward a few hours to bedtime.  Linus was none too pleased that sailboat binky had "accidentally" been left in Portland.  To help ease the pain, Daddy suggested they bring flashlights into bed.  After reading Harold and the Purple Crayon by flashlight, they commenced playing shadow puppets.  Dave proceeded to give Linus his first therapy session.  Here are some excerpts:

Linus to Crocodile: What happened sailboat binky? (very sad sounding)
Crocodile:  I don't know.  Maybe it will turn up like pink binky.
Linus to Crocodile:  Fireman slide down pole.  Go put out fire. Firetrucks.

Enter Dog.
Linus to Dog:   Hi Doggie.  I see Crocodile.

After several minutes of intense shadow puppet therapy, Linus was able to work through his feelings (at least temporarily) and go to bed.  Hopefully, it is a good night. 

Rest in peace pink binky and sailboat binky.  You were well loved and did your job well, but the time has come for Linus to be binky-free.

First Dentist Visit

About a week and a half ago Linus started telling us that his teeth hurt (an advantage to having a very verbal toddler). Our doctor had said age two was a good time to go to the dentist so now seemed like the perfect time.  My mom came up to watch Eileen so Linus and I could have our own date at the dentist.

The dentist office is located across the street from Greenlake by the Starbucks. If it hadn't been in the 30s, we would have hit the playground afterward (something for the next time).  The office was really nice and had great, clean, new toys and not just a basket of old, worn, and grungy toys.  They even had a Wii. 

Linus watching "Kung Fu Panda" while playing with Star Wars Mr. Potato Head.

They took me on a tour of the place before leading us to the exam room.  A large, sunlit room with a toy area on the floor.  Linus played with trains while I talked to the hygienist.  It was great.  Linus refused to lie on the table.  He stated flatly, "I don't like this. I don't like this."  Instead, Linus sat on my lap with his head on the hygienist's lap while she cleaned his teeth. There were tears but no restraining. We did this for the dentist as well.  I can't say enough good things about the dentist.  He knew just what to say to Linus.  Afterward, Linus was handed a gold coin and he ran to retrieve his toy reward with it.

Tooth verdict:  His teeth look great.  Linus has all ten teeth on bottom and has his last two molars are coming in on top--hence the pain.  He has lots of room but needs to stop the binky before any permanent damage occurs.

I am so grateful Linus had such a positive experience.  He was happy to replace his "yucky toothbrush" with a dolphin one from the dentist.  I have had so many horrible experiences and loathe visits to the dentist.  Today I was left pondering, "Why can't all dentists be more like pediatric dentists?"  I bet more people would go to a dentist if they got to have their teeth "painted" and play with a giant Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head.

Eating lunch at "Restaurant" (aka McDonalds) after the dentist.

The Right Decision

Some people thought I was crazy when I got pregnant again---having kids close together, the fact that I had a horrible pregnancy and delivery the first time around, the expense, the chaos...... Recently, everything seems to be coming together and I can't imagine not giving Linus a sibling.

Linus loves his baby sister, and loves to hold her.

This morning I watched as Linus made his way toward Eileen and I just knew he was going to do something sweet, so I grabbed the camera.

If you can't tell he is singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" while trying to do the same motions I do with Eileen.  Linus likes to try to play the same games I do with her.  His other favorite is to bicycle peddle her legs while singing "Run Baby Run" by Casper Babypants.

If moments like this don't make you want kids, I don't know what will.  I will have to remember to look back on this video in the fall  when I start paying $3000 a month for childcare.