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First Purchase

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Chanler made his first purchase today – it was a super ball.

Background;
Chanler got a quarter during an Easter egg hunt this year (I was actually quite happy with that egg as opposed to the ones filled with candy, but that is another story all together). He has been keeping track of and playing with this quarter since then.
We went for pizza last Monday (the pizza place has a special on Mondays) and Chanler watched as a slightly older boy got about a dozen things from the quarter machines (like the gumball machines of old, only they now have toys and misc. crap too). A few days later Chanler told me that the next time we went to get pizza he was going to bring his quarter and get a ball. We talked about that for a while and I tried to explain that he could get a ball, but that he would no longer get to have his quarter – I was not convinced that he was getting the picture.
Skip to tonight, I had forgotten all about the quarter and Chanler’s plan. We get to the pizza place and Chanler realizes that he forgot his quarter (insert horrified screams here) He was distraught and wanted to go home and get. Scott and I decided that to make life easier we would “lend” him a quarter and that he could pay us back when we got home. So off he ran to make his first purchase.

I must say his is very enamored with his super bouncy ball right now!

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby . . .

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At least that is how the song goes in my head (dating myself or something) and yes I know you (Chanler) are not really a baby anymore, you are a “preschooler”, but you will always be my baby.

Love you and Happy Birthday!

I'm a Big Brother!

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Chanler is being a great big brother 🙂

Shortly after Jessaleigh was born, we woke him up so he could meet his new little sister – he was clearly in awe of her! After he woke up a little and stared at her for a while, he decided that she needed some clothes – he knows right where her clothes are, so he ran over and got out a sleeper and some socks, and then decided that she needed some pants – so he got her some of his – I think they are just about as long as she is!

He loves to bring her toys and stuffed animals, and he is being very good at bringing her baby toys – but of course he really thinks that we should be letting her eat food.

He loves to hold Jessaleigh, and if she is fussy, he tells her softly that she is OK – so cute. Last night while he was holding her, he kissed her on the head and said, “I love Jessaleigh, I love my little sister.” Sure made my eyes misty, and I don’t think that was from lack of sleep!

Of course being a big brother brings on more responsibility – now instead of, “I can do it, I’m a big boy” when he wants to do something that we think is a little beyond his reach, it is “I’m a big brother!”

Obession

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Chanler is obsessed with Chris and Emily’s baby – Joseph. He is obsessed in a somewhat good way – he wants to see the baby all the time, he wants to hold the baby when ever we actually see him, he talks about baby Joseph all time and even sings songs to him when we are driving in the car.

This is the first baby that Chanler has had close contact with and it is also the first time I have seen what a great big brother Chanler could become. It is very neat to see him with a small baby, he is very gentle and wants to give hugs, kisses and pats and make sure the baby is happy.

One thing that has been very interesting is talking with Chanler about nursing. Chanler knows that babies have “nursies”, that “nursies” is all little babies can eat, and that they each “nursie” from their own mommy. It is neat to see him make the connection that that is how things are supposed to be. He has even articulated it when we are out, Chanler will hear a child crying and tell me – “baby sad . . . nursie mommy??” I think he is becoming empathic.

Safety First

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We were playing in the yard yesterday evening and Chanler was trying to pedal his trike, when he looked at us and said “I want a helmet.” So as safety conscious parents (and since we were going out for coffees anyway) we decided to go get Chanler said helmet. I mean when your child tells you they WANT safety equipment – are you reallying going to discourage them? I think not. So now Chanler has a bike helmet (it came with the knee and elbow pads – I am not THAT freaky) and he LOVES it. He even picked it out (after we had eliminated ones that didn’t fit)

The World Traveler

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Chanler’s favorite things about England:
1) You get to ride a bus, subway train or intercity train EVERY day
2) Pigeons
3) The airplane seat had a TV with it’s own “mote” (aka remote)
4) Pizza
5) Horses (i.e. The Royal horse guards and mounted police)

Chanler’s least favorite things about England:
1) The fasten seat belt sign
2) Boring museums and ceremonies
3) Seeing out the airplane window
4) The stairs at the Rokeby Guest House

Not a baby anymore ... He's 2

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Well I can’t believe it – Chanler turned 2 today! He had a great day!
All week he has been asking about riding the train and I have told him over and over again
“on Saturday.” Well this morning I finally got to say today and his eyes lit up!
There were of course tons of last minute things to do for the party. For his 2nd birthday we decided on a train theme (hence the asking about riding the train) and Scott came up with the brilliant idea of riding Cal train to a park. This worked out great, we got on in San Jose and rode to Palo Alto (thus all our San Jose friends didn’t have to drive far and all our Menlo Park/Palo Alto friends didn’t have to drive far either)

Chanler LOVED the train ride although he was more or less oblivious to the fact that his friends and family were riding with him. We got to the park (via a tunnel – another big deal for Chanler) and set up. Michelle and I had earlier that morning dropped off a car full of party supplies so that we wouldn’t have to bring everything on the train.
Chanler got to play with all his friends, eat some snacks, and then have cup cakes! He actually blew out the candle all by himself and dug in, at least long enough for pictures. Soon after he started the cup cake Chanler noticed someone else’s Strawberry and decided that was much nicer than some cup cake thing. (not that I really mind)
Everyone said they had a great time (the weather cooperated for me and was a lovely 65ish and sunny) and were sent home with personalized foam trains (which I had been gluing together ALL week) filled with goodies.
After we had pizza for dinner with family and close friends before we rode the train home and opened presents.
I think Chanler had quite a day. Hopefully he won’t expect this kind of day tomorrow or for a long time.

Helping Out

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I have started getting Chanler to help me with daily activities. So far he loves to help me “dump” ingredients when we are cooking. He is also very proficient at “setting the table”. This picture was taken after Chanler had finsished setting up for dinner. Please note the only thing I did was put the orange juice on the table – everything else is exactly where Chanler placed it.

The best part is the running commentary while things get put on the table. . . “one a mommy, one a daddy, one a Chanler” for each item as he places it.

Holy . . . poop?

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Much to my surprise! This afternoon Chanler went poop on the potty all by himself.

He has started telling us when he needs a dirty diaper changed (once or twice mind you not all the time).
Here is what happened this afternoon . . .
Chanler: poo poo
Jesse: Do you need a diaper change – did you poop?
C: Check
J: OK come here I’ll check. Nope no poop.
C:(Walking to the bathroom) POO POO
J: Do you need to go poop? do you want to go poop on the potty?
C: Yes!

And there you have it we are suddenly on our way to potty training!

Note: Lucky for me Scott came home while we were still on the potty so we got some blackmail pictures for latter on!