Archives: August 2008
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Mateo and I got back from a weekend in glorious, scenic Wisconsin, where we attended a friend's wedding. I poke some fun at Milwaukee, but it actually turned out to be a really pleasant town and more of a big-city than I thought it would be. Gooooo Milwaukee!
The wedding was beautiful and it was great to see my friends, but good Lord the trip was a bit of a nightmare. First, our flight boarded at 5:50 am, which required us to leave the house around 4:15. Then, at my layover, I remarked that the airline broke my stroller. It was completely useless. Yet, they told me to lug it to my final destination to make a formal complaint, and that I would be reimbursed. So there I was, lugging two bags, a baby, and a completely defunct stroller (I had to drag it -- the wheels were all jacked up) through the many concourses of the Minneapolis airport. Nice start.
The arrival in Milwaukee was fine and the wedding was beautiful. It was a little rough because Mateo and I were both so tired from our travels that we didn't get to fully enjoy it. Teo was cute, of course, and I have some crappy pictures of him to share. My camera wasn't working right (and naturally I figured out why at the END of the evening). We left early once Mateo seemed to be winding down, and he was asleep in his car seat within a minute of leaving.
The following day, Laura and I strolled along Brady street and somewhere in our wanderings we lost the rental car keys. Awesome. We backpedaled through the streets of our 40-minute walk, and, when we still didn't find them, I called the rental people. They informed me it would cost $300 to replace the keys. $300 and my pride. After much difficulty and a mild degree of panic, we found the keys at Walgreens. I don't know, dude. We were so happy to have found them, but our afternoon was far less pleasant than it otherwise would have been without that hour of fear.
The next morning we left for the airport, strapped for time as always. We had to pay extra for the gas, as we didn't have enough time to run to the gas station and handed over the car a quarter tank short. Next, strolling into the airport, I noticed that my wallet was missing. It turns out we accidentally threw it out. Don't ask how; we just did. It is always a good idea to throw out your wallet the evening before you go to the airport.
Luckily, the security guards had mercy on me and let me through anyway. Mateo played his part by crying as the whole thing went down. I called the hotel and they recovered my wallet from the trash, it is being sent here as I type. So all is well. But still -- NOT the best traveling experience.
Somebody was keeping a mental note on karma, however, because I sat in one of the only seats that had an empty spot next to it. My neighbor was a nice grandma who entertained Mateo for the first hour of the trip, until he passed out for the following two. So at least our return flight was smooth sailing.
I think I am still recovering. My house is a mess and I am exhausted. But still, we are home and getting back on schedule. The insanity has ended. For now.
Mateo's new gig is hugging.
Life is grand!
Holy crap, I missed it again! Happy 14 months my man!
That picture is from your Aunt Kari, but I just uploaded a boatload of pictures to flickr to celebrate your 14-month birthday. This month has been the most fun yet -- someone told me when you were a few weeks old that it just gets better and better, and I can't say I disagree. Watching you go from a little wormy thing to a little squirmy thing to a real-live actual boy is awesomeness.
This month I have really seen the toddler in you come out, in both good ways and in bad. For example, you have started using crying as a tactic to get what you want. I am not so fond of that, but guess what? I'm on to you, kid.
On the flipside, boy howdy are you starting to figure things out. Examples from the last week:
1) When we eat dinner at grandma and grandpa's, you go on a walk with grandpa after dinner with the dog. Yesterday, you walked to the door and pointed at it to try to get outside. When that didn't work, you took the leash and walked it over to the dog. Still no answer? You gave it grandpa, so that HE could put it on the dog. And you know something? You guys were out the door in a few minutes.
2) Today we were putting away the groceries and you ripped up some paper bags. Just like a little grown up, you collected your scraps and walked them over to the garbage and threw them away.
3) A few days ago, we were in the bedroom playing, when I asked you if you wanted to read a book. You worked your way off the bed, clomped out of the room, went into the living room, grabbed a book, and then stood in front of the chair where we do our nighttime reading together. You looked at me and said, "Up?" So I knew you had figured it out. After we finished reading, I asked if you if you wanted to brush your teeth. You beelined towards the bathroom and stood in front of the sink, mimicking a brushing motion.
You are still obsessed with your toothbrush, by the way.
You are starting to talk more, and that is hilarious. Often times, it's gobblety-gook, like when you stand in front of the dryer and watch it spin. That is a recipe for fun, in Teo-land. But you are also starting to say some legitimate words: car, cracker, bubble, water, more, woof-woof (ok, not a word, but you are fascinated by dogs). Your teacher at school told me that you said "circle" and "wassup." Grandpa says you learned the word "leaf" while on a walk with him.
Mainly, I see that you are absorbing the world and some of it is going through the wheels turning in your little head. You have turned out to be a little stranger-wary, and you seem to want to think things through before jumping in, at least for right now. You have had a few scary moments in the last few weeks, and maybe being cautious is just a part of pushing the boundaries of toddlerhood in sometimes unexpected ways - like when you accidentally ran your toys into some pictures against the wall and they fell on your head. In those moments, you come running back to me and hug me tight, and I love being able to be your comfort.
Speaking of hugging, you have started a new game with me. You begin in the living room and run to the other side of the kitchen, where I am squatting and waiting with open arms. Then you run into me and give me a big hug, usually with squeezing involved on both of our ends. Then you giggle with glee, wiggle out of my arms, and run around the kitchen again, only to be delighted yet again when you see me on the other side, still waiting with open arms. You run to me again, crashing into my embrace, snuggling into my neck. And then the giggles and another circuit around the house, and another hug.
It's pretty marvelous, Bubster Magoo. Let's play that game forever, ok?
