Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Assumptive Close

Oliver and I have this pattern of communicating that gets me every time. It goes like this:

"Oliver do you want some fruit?"
"I want graaaapes!"
"You want grapes?" (for clarification)

"OK." (as if it was all my suggestion in the first place)

Really, tone is everything in this exchange, but seriously, he throws that "OK" in there after every clarifying question I ask these days. It's especially vexxing when he suggests something he shouldn't have or that I'd otherwise say no to, say "scissors," for example, and it's such a habit for me to restate what he's saying to make sure I have it right: "You want scissors?" -- always met with a quick and assumptive: "OK" and the unstated "Thanks for offering."

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Stats

As of 12/30/09, Oliver is:
  • 27.5 pounds (50th percentile)
  • 35.75 inches (75-90th percentile)
  • 19 inches around his head (25-50th percentile)
That's all I have to say about that. Oh, other than 27.5 pounds is HEAVY!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Happy Birthday Morning

Oliver woke up as usual asking for his Daddy ("My Daddy! My Daddy! My Daddy!"), but instead got a Happy Birthday duet from both of his loving parents, which did put a smile on his face (not easy, as he can be a bit of a crabby pants first thing in the morning). Daddy had to sneak out for an early appointment, so Mommy threw the rules out the window and:

  1. Provided a lollipop for breakfast per the Prince's request.
  2. Played a whole round of Fun Factory Playdough – mixing the blue and the orange dough and everything.
  3. Dressed him as a Chicago Bear for school – complete with skin-tight airplane underoo's showing through the thin white football pants.
  4. Allowed knee-deep romping in snow outside. (We got 12" in the last 24 hours.)

Bad Mommy. But, Happy Birthday, Monk! More fun to come…

Oh, and this conversation from the distinguished palette of a lollipop connoisseur:

"Mmmmm…"
"Oliver, is it good?"
"I like it. I like it."
"What flavor is it?..."
(nothing)
Is it Grape?..."
(nothing)
"What does it taste like?"
"Lollipop."

Duh.

As per usual routine, we then used each of Oliver's FOUR toothbrushes to scrub the purple from his teeth. He insists on using each differently colored toothbrush at every brushing session. It's really not a bad technique to cover the odds of actually getting them brushed, but it can take more time than one might want to spend assisting. Pink and yellow and blue and orange. Of late, each one also requires its own serving of toothpaste. Have you tasted that fruity crap they give to kids? Gross.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Guess Who’s Turning Two!?

Oliver is turning TWO tomorrow! We've had him in training for some time now. Here's how the practice sessions go:

"Oliver, how old are you going to be?"
"Twwooooo!"
"When is your birthday?"
"Two."
"No. When is your birthday? Januaryyyy?"
"Eight."

So cute. More later.