A New Bed

Stan has been able to climb out of his porta-crib for about a week. This caused problems at my mom's house last weekend where it was his bed--I had to just keep him up until he was too tired to protest or take him into the bed with me, since the guest room baby-proofed enough for him to just throw a tantrum freely in there for half and hour. We both were pretty tired by the time the weekend was over (although it would have been *much* worse without his loving grandmother and uncles taking him so mom could have a nap or two), so I was sad to see that as soon as he got home he applied his knowledge to his actual crib. It's not a good climb-out, either, it's a head-first dive. Anyway, we tried having him sleep on his crib matress on the floor, and the night ended when a defeated mom and dad let him sleep in their bed from midnight on. Night two we managed to leave him in there, although I doubt he slept anywhere that was intended for sleeping, and when I peeked in in the morning he was laying right by the door. We bought him a toddler bed, hoping that an actual bed would encourage him to think of it like his crib, which he never minded getting into. I assembled the bed this morning, and for naptime he slept on the floor next to the bed for about 20 minutes, then woke up but went back to sleep in my bed for another few hours. Tonight he really resisted the bed, but only cried in there for maybe 10 minutes, which is a big improvement. I doubt he's in the bed, though. The thing that makes it so hard is that instead of just getting mad or something, he stands there, knocking on the door, saying in an obviously-very sad-but-trying-to-sound-pleasant voice, "where are you, mommy?" crying a little bit in between. Oh! scott just checked on him--he's in the bed! sleeping! halleluja!

Birthday Part III

We had pizza for dinner.

Stanley levels a sour stare at me. I think he was just chewing or something, but maybe this is the beginning of a contentious phase.



I asked Stanley, "Are you eating pizza?" and this was his answer.

"I give you this straw, for today you are a man."



Sweet, sweet nectar.





Stanley and Julie went to see me (Scott) at the basketball game. These are some of the other wives of basketball players, each with a young'un.

One of our friends brought this puppy, Fenway, to the game. Stanley had a fantastic time holding him.

Stanley's presents were cleverly wrapped in blankets, since we've gotten rid of all our wrapping paper in preparation for the move to Minnesota.

Stanley received some books.





"...or AM I done opening presents?"

Stanley's friend Sariah Jane came over to give him some blocks for a present. Stanley is basically in love with her. He says "Sariah Jane?" about a hundred times each day, obviously imagining all kinds of situations in which he might be able to hang out with her.

Goodbye, my Love.

Oh, uh, that hug? Heheh, yeah, that was nothing. Just saying goodbye.

Nothing marks the end of a birthday like getting into some fairly girlish pajamas and hopping into the crib.

Pictured here is Animal Blanket, which Stanley usually requests. It depicts Noah's ark. 

Birthday Part II

Stanley figured out how to sit on the swings by himself. Well, he used to be able to sit on the swings, but he wasn't good at holding onto the chains.

Stanley and the other kids in the neighborhood participate in a teambuilding exercise. Later this year, they'll go on a corporate retreat to learn how to better synergize.

Bubbles!

Stanley and Julie grabbed lunch at Days Market, to avoid the paint fumes in the house.

Stanley stops to smell a flower at the park.  

Birthday Breakfast

Stanley is two! The first part of this day-long celebration was a breakfast on the back patio. Stanley had a banana and smoothie. Julie supervised the proceedings.



Yum.  

Stanley has grown up in the two years he's been around.

Weird how much older he is.

This was the classic pose. 

Stanley and Scott at Rock Canyon Park 

Stanley is no longer a compact baby. He enjoys a pillow, and loves to have a load of blankets. 

Dad and Stanley relax for a while. 

Stanley and his friend Morgan were having fun watching church videos. 

A spontaneous hug shared between Stanley and Robyn.

Have a nice hug.  

if the camera is on, Stanley wants a part of it. 

Stanely ended up with both legs in one pant leg when we were dressing him for church.