Babies Don't Wear Underpants

Since Spencer has been using the potty two to three times a day lately, we decided to see whether he had any interest in wearing underwear this weekend. Turns out he does. He's been wearing them all day. Spencer even sits on the big potty most of the time although on occasion he continues to use his little, kid-sized potty or a potty lid on the larger potty. Of course, there has been an accident or two but that's to be expected in the beginning. Could it be that we are finally turning a corner? Dare I say that Spencer is potty trained? I thought this day was a long way off yet but children have a way of surprising you.

Something else that surprised me today was Spencer pretending to be a baby. He's been asking to be held, rocked and put in the "bassinet." He reminds us to support his head when we pick him up, all things we have said to him as we play along. It's funny that Spencer choses to be a baby at the same time that he is taking a big developmental leap forward in terms of potty training. Spencer may have been inspired by a library book we have been reading the last couple of days about all the things that babies do. Coincidence?

The Return

Wouldn't you know it? Our last night visiting Trina, Michael, Ian and Avery, Spencer didn't fall asleep until 9pm, an hour past his usual bedtime. The next morning, he awoke bright and early at 5am instead of 7am which meant I was also awake at 5am. This didn't bode well for our day of travel.

Despite our lack of sleep, we made it in one piece to the Atlanta airport graciously driven through morning rush hour traffic by Trina even though she would be returning later that day to pick up her mom. Things started to go downhill when we arrived at Atlanta Airport Security. We were directed to a special line for those passengers needing extra assistance. It just so happened that there were a stream of people in wheelchairs being escorted by airport personnel who kept moving into line directly in front of us. We finally made it through the checkpoint when a security officer looked through Spencer's backpack and confiscated a water bottle I had left in there. Oops! Then I was informed that there was a problem with my carry-on suitcase. Was I traveling alone? Yes. A female security officer took my bag and walked away, presumably to put it through the x-ray machine a second time. Meanwhile, I put the stroller back together, buckled Spencer in and put his shoes back on. I waited, and waited, and waited for my bag to emerge. Finally I thought I saw it come through. I waited patiently once again for a gentleman to gather all his things before grabbing my bag and heading to the tram that would transport us to our terminal.

Once on the flight (we had been assigned window and middle seats for once, hurray!), I opened my suitcase to discover that my portable DVD player was missing. Oh no! Momentary panic! It was not even my DVD player. It belonged to a friend. Immediately, I realized what had happened. Security must have removed the DVD player from my bag without informing me. The bag was zipped when I pulled it off the conveyor belt giving me no indication that anything had been removed although had I had more sleep and my wits about me, I might have asked why they were examining my bag a second time. If ever I needed a portable DVD player on a flight, this was the day. Spencer was so disappointed. I had promised him that we would watch a video as soon as we got on the plane. Little did I know...

Needless to say, it was not a great flight home. Spencer started melting down half way through the ride home. He was overtired, too exhausted to fall asleep. I was at my wits end, admonishing him to take a nap already. Not my finest parenting moment. The woman next to me must have thought I was a tyrant. Eventually, Spencer did close his eyes for 45 minutes or so. We made it home. I even located the DVD player by calling Lost & Found. They're shipping it back, at my expense of course. The moral of the story is keep a close eye on your possessions during security checks. I know from now on I will.

When I Grow Up...

Spencer's imagination came into play during a visit with Trina, Ian and Avery to a children's museum called Ink. He tried out different professions beginning with a stint as a cashier at a kid-sized grocery store. Here he is scanning groceries.



Next it was on to the post office where he weighed, stamped and mailed a letter to his grandmother all while wearing an official-looking uniform. He gives new meaning to "going postal."



After the post office, Spencer decided to try out being a bank teller. Here he is opening a new account for me.



Next we rejoined Ian where he and Spencer commandeered an airplane.



Last but not least, Dr. Spencer gave me a check-up. You'll be happy to know that he gave me a clean bill of health.

Old Friends, New Friends

The second half of our trip found us near Atlanta visiting our very good friends Trina and Michael, their son Ian who is only a month younger than Spencer, their adorable daughter Avery and their dog Lucky. Not only was Spencer thrilled to see so many new toys but Ian is to be commended for doing a marvelous job of sharing, especially his Thomas the Train set, mini-golf set and soccer ball with net. They truly entertained one another.

It was fun to watch the boys play together. Their favorite game was hide-and-go-seek. First they would count together to ten before rushing off to find Michael. Then they would hide in the exact same spot where Michael had and giggle hysterically when he found them. If Michael didn't find them soon enough, they would provide helpful hints such as, "I'm right here." I know, the concept of the game is still a little over their heads.



A rare moment when I was able to capture all the kids in one photo.



Spencer loved this park. He and Ian briefly enjoyed the tire swing before rushing off in different directions.



Spencer wanted to do some climbing. He's not ready for this structure yet but maybe by our next visit.



Avery, in addition to crawling, pulling herself up and chewing on everything within reach, was going through a separation anxiety stage. She would start crying whenever her parents (especially Trina) left the room. It wasn't until the last day that she let me hold her. That's one of the reasons I look so happy in this photo.

Four Generations

Spencer and I had a wonderful visit with my grandparents. Now that they're in their nineties, they decided the time was right to sell their house and move to an assisted living community. Spencer and I had a chance to see their new digs, meet some of their neighbors and eat in the dining room where one evening I enjoyed some delicious Maryland steamed crabs. Spencer's non-stop energy and verbal ability impressed everyone.



Spencer with his great-grandmother.



Spencer with his great-grandfather.



Apparently my family loves plaid. I didn't realize this until I saw all these photos together. Luckily, I dressed Spencer appropriately.



Spencer loved pulling photos out of this box and putting them back in almost as much as he loved playing with my grandparents' mini-grammaphone. Over and over, he placed the records on the machine, reminding me whenever the music stopped to wind it back up again. He wanted to know the name of each piece of music. Edelweis was one of his favorites.



Spencer had so much fun picking cherry tomatoes and bell peppers from my aunt and uncle's garden. Here David is showing him a choice picking.



We celebrated my cousin Chris' birthday on Friday evening. I baked the cake and Spencer helped me frost it. My aunt Andi presented the cake as we all sang "Happy Birthday." Spencer was impressed by all the candles. Twenty-five seems like a long ways off when you're not even three.

Window Seat

Flying with a child is a very different experience from traveling pre-baby. Now instead of figuring what magazine I'm going to read during the flight, I have to figure out how I'm going to entertain a toddler. Spencer and I were traveling on our own to visit his great grandparents in Maryland. We made it through Security without incident despite my panic over momentarily misplacing my boarding pass, purchased our meal where I almost left behind my carry-on and finally found our gate although it was not printed on said boarding pass or posted anywhere in the airport. Little did I know the drama that was awaiting me on board.

I boarded the plane and found what I thought was our row, strapped Spencer in his car seat and settled in for the journey ahead only to be tapped on the shoulder a few minutes later by a family who informed me that I was sitting in their seats. In my rush, I had mistakenly installed the car seat in row 15, not row 14. Spencer and I had been assigned the middle and aisle seats respectively however, once on the plane, the flight attendant instructed me to put the car seat by the window in order to comply with safety regulations. The problem was that someone was sitting by the window seat in row 14. When I asked her to please move, she seemed miffed and insisted that she needed a seat by the window. She did not want to move until a replacement window seat was located for her. Meanwhile, the aisle was backing up with passengers wanting to get to their seats. We went back and forth before finally she went in search of a flight attendant. I took the opportunity to strap Spencer in by the window. Ironically, there was no window, only a wall by his seat. She eventually returned with a flight attendant who found someone willing to switch with her. Drama, drama, drama. Obviously, she's not a mother or she would have had some compassion. In the end, everyone was happy. Spencer was a dream on the flight. Baltimore here we come!

The Pool

Word to the wise. If you ever buy an inflatable pool, be sure to buy a pump to blow it up. Not having had the foresight to do so, we huffed and we puffed and we inflated that pool. Spencer was so thrilled that he immediately stripped right down and stepped in, braving the cold water to splash in the pool. Later in the day, the sun warmed the water to a more comfortable temperature for lounging. Guess we all know how Spencer plans to spend the rest of the summer.

The Scarf

Tonight Spencer wanted to see the moon before bedtime. While this may have been a stalling tactic on his part or merely a means of establishing to himself that it really was dark outside and time for bed but in any event, we were happy to oblige. When I mentioned that it might be chilly outside, Spencer responded by informing me that he needed a scarf, hence the ensemble you see above. So next time you go out to see the moon at night, remember scarf and pajamas. You saw it here first.

These are a Few of Spencer's Favorite Ting Tings

Spencer loves listening to music. While he's always requested specific tunes in the car, now he has taken to dictating the playlist at home as well. This morning Spencer decided to kick back and listen to Laurie Berkner, a big favorite among the preschool set. Occasionally Mike and I manage to listen to our music which has broadened Spencer's taste to include Weezer, Coldplay and The Ting Tings. His ear is so fine-tuned that he can recognize a song from a single note much more quickly than I can. It's fun to watch him become excited and start to groove when he hears a song he likes. I savor our shared music experience and hope that this common musical bond will continue as he grows up.

Olympic Fever

Is it just me or is anyone else watching the Olympics as rabidly as I am? I have been glued to the television since the opening ceremonies, watching NBC's coverage of the games every night since. For one there's Michael Phelp's historic quest for eight gold medals. It seemed hard to imagine in the not so distant past that anyone would ever surpass Mark Spitz' seven-medal mark. The relay race where the Americans beat the French by mere hundredths of a second was one of the most exciting sporting events I have ever seen. I love watching all the swimming events but I've also been watching beach volleyball, gymnastics, diving -- sports I never watch outside of the Olympics. These late nights are catching up with me though. Lucky for me the Olympics only lasts a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I'll continue admiring the performances, imagining what it would be like to be an athlete of that caliber and cheering on Team USA.

Family Kiss

Grandma and Grandpa left yesterday but not before enjoying one last family kiss from their favorite grandson.

The Butterfly

Spencer's latest obsession is the butterfly. Not the stroke that Michael Phelps, the multiple gold-medal-winning Olympian, has perfected but the winged creature that flutters around your garden. It began when his grandparents, in an effort to distract Spencer out of a fussy mood, had the bright idea to imagine that Spencer was a butterfly. How do you play Butterfly? First, you spread out Spencer's favorite blue blanket. He lies down and is wrapped up in a "cocoon" from which he emerges a butterfly. Then he skips around the house flapping his "wings."

Over and over again he wants to play butterfly. I have a feeling we will be playing butterfly long after Grandma and Grandpa have returned to Milwaukee. If only I could take him to the Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum but there won't be time before the exhibit closes. For now, we'll have to settle for reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Fly butterfly fly.

Roasting Marshmallows

After pretending to roast marshmallows the last couple of days, inspired by the story Curious George Goes Camping, Spencer was able to experience the real thing courtesy of Grandpa who had the idea to heat the marshmallows over the grill. Spencer watched as Grandpa twirled the marshmallow on the stick around and around until it turned soft and golden. Then Spencer tasted the gooey goodness that is roasted marshmallows. His expression said it all. Delicious!

A Fraiche Celebration

We celebrated Grandma's birthday at the highly touted Fraiche. It lived up to the hype despite the long wait to place our order. Our meal was delicious. Happy birthday Marge!

Terra Cotta Warriors

With the Olympics opening tonight in Beijing, we figured the timing was right to view the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The Terra Cotta Army, created at the behest of China's first emperor, the boy king Qin, is considered the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World. This is the largest exhibit of its kind ever seen outside of China. The army, consisting of soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats and animals, was designed to enforce Emperor Qin's rule over the afterlife. For two thousand years, the army remained underground until its' discovery in 1974 by farmers digging a well. That archealogical find unearthed a treasure trove of knowledge about an ancient period of China's history.

While we were waiting to purchase tickets to the exhibit, I noticed what I initially perceived to be a Terra Cotta Warrior statue in the lobby. When the statue waved, I realized my error. The man in the costume looked so authentic it was uncanny. He even moved slowly and deliberately which only enhanced the illusion. His presence made waiting in line much more entertaining, adding a nice touch to an impressive exhibit.

Zooming to Zuma

It was a perfect day at the beach, sunny and breezy. The smell of salt in the air. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Spencer hand in hand with his grandparents dipping his feet in the ocean. All of this and more made the long drive up to Zuma Beach in Malibu worthwhile. Spencer and Grandpa took a long walk along the shoreline while Grandma and I soaked in the view and the rays. Later I took Spencer in to play in the surf. He loved every moment, even when a wave washed up to his chin. On the way back, we stopped at The Reel Inn for fish tacos and fish and chips. Yum!

Let the Spoiling Begin

The grandparents have arrived.

The first thing Spencer wanted to do was build a tent where he listened to his new favorite story, a puzzle book of opposites, read by Grandpa.

Later, ever the boy scout, he helped shine a light on Grandma's magazine with this trusty flashlight. Why Grandma needed help reading in broad daylight only Spencer knows.

We dined at everyone's favorite Mexican restaurant, Paco's.

A wet hug before bed.

Seaside Lagoon

In the South Bay community of Redondo Beach lies a place known as Seaside Lagoon, an enclosed, family-friendly water park. It feels like you're at the beach without the seaweed or the waves. The water was the perfect height (it came up to his knees) and temperature for Spencer. He immediately plunged in and didn't emerge for two hours, dividing his time between wading around the water-fountain islands and playing with a water toy brought by a friend. The water toy worked like a bicycle pump except that its' purpuse was to suck in water which could then be sprayed out in a stream. It was covered in foam like a pool floatie. Spencer loved it!

When it was time for lunch, we headed over to Ruby's, a 1940s inspired restaurant with red vinyl booths, white formica tables and Coca Cola posters from the era. The waitresses all wear red-and-white, pin-striped uniforms. The hamburgers and french fries are divine. There was a Ruby's Diner in my hometown growing up. It was THE place to go as a teenager besides the mall of course. This was Southern California after all. Spencer enjoyed putting stickers on the cardboard boat they gave him and watching colorful fish swim by overhead on the track that circled the restaurant. As a special treat, we shared a blueberry shake. A delicious end to a wonderful morning.

The Pinata

With Spencer feeling better, we ventured to the park this weekend where we came across a birthday party in progress. Spencer was transfixed by the pinata but then who wouldn't be. It was shaped like a pirate's treasure chest. One by one, the children lined up to give it a whack. The pinata swayed back and forth, back and forth, until one of the parents would stop its' motion and pass the baton to the next child in line. The designated child would don a pirate's hat and take another swing. Eventually a hole appeared tantalizing all with the promise of candy inside. Spencer waited to see what would happen. "Mica, Mica," the children and parents shouted, hoping the birthday boy would be the one to send the treasure chest tumbling to the ground. Arghhh! With one last blow, the pinata fell to the ground spilling its' treasures. The children scrambled to gather every last bit of candy. Spencer was mesmerized. I think I know what he wants for his birthday.

Fever in the morning, Fever all through the night

Last night was a sleepless one in our household. Spencer woke up every couple of hours and when he was up, so were Mommy and Daddy. He seemed warm but we attributed his temperature to the general heat in the house. The ceiling fans seemed to merely circulate the hot air, not cool things down. We opened some windows at one point hoping that would help.

It wasn't until this morning that we realized Spencer had a fever. He was very sad because we were supposed to visit some friends this morning but he soon felt better when we read books in Mommy and Daddy's bed. Spencer and I napped for a while but he woke up, mumbling about about an elevator, when I had to move my elbow from his back. He's been lethargic all morning and even appears to have lost his appetite which means he must really be sick. Sweet child. He keeps trying to make himself better through sheer force of will -- as if saying he no longer has a fever would make it instantaneously go away. If only it were that simple...