We have a winner!

After months of "talking", David has yet to utter a multi-syllable, actual discernibly English, word. That is, until this evening.

Don't get me wrong, we are very proud of the way he is developing communication skills, trying to get across his message as best he can and announcing proudly those things he has words for, like "ball", "dog", "please", and the newest one, "light". But, let's face it, unless you know him well it is unlikely that you would understand much of anything he says outside the usual "Mommy" and "Daddy".

Back to the subject at hand. His first multi-syllable word. Here's a little hint.

Yes, folks... "cookie". And he repeated it to Cory multiple times, pointing to the pile of chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen counter, one of which he was hoping to devour.

We were so proud, we couldn't say no now, could we? :)

Life right now.

I'm in the process of assembling David's baby book (better late than never), and the task has me a bit sentimental about how he has grown in his brief 20 months. Had I not recorded some of the seemingly mundane and intricate details of everyday life on this blog and in my scrapbooks, I might have lost those memories forever since it took me so long to get around to the final project.

Of course every little detail of life can't, and probably shouldn't, be documented. Sometimes the process of documentation itself can get in the way of living life. I can be guilty of letting that happen. But it's still so fun to recall the little things once enough time has passed to let those memories vanish. You just can't do that unless you write those details down.

Enough philosophizing. My point in bringing this all up is that while looking over my journal entries for baby book material, I realize how long it's been since I made a little list of David's here-and-nows. I think I'll regret not having done this in the future. I'm gonna do that right now.

• In the past few days, he has figured out how to shake his head "no".  Grreaattt.
• He loves his wooden rocking horse made by Great-Granddad Calvert. He rocks back and forth so vigorously that I'm afraid he might flip it one day. No guts, no glory.
• He's quickly become a Sesame Street junkie. He asks to watch it regularly (pointing to the TV and pleading "tree! tree!"), and somehow already knows the names of the characters. I watched this show as a kid and I turned out OK, so it can't be all bad, right? Just wish they'd bring back Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood.
• Still loving books. I leave a few in his crib during naps and I often find him quietly flipping through them once he wakes up.
• He is an eager helper around the house. Chores include putting items in the trash, getting his diaper and wipes out for a diaper change then throwing the dirty diaper in the can afterward, helping me put wet clothes in the dryer, and getting out his socks or clothes to get dressed. The look on his face is priceless during all of these tasks. He is just so darn PROUD of himself. And he should be. My little helper, and he's not even two.
• He adores stickers. Loves his sticker book, and the stickers that the bank tellers or grocery clerks give him for his shirt on outings. I was at Anthropologie a few weeks ago and he pounded his shirt when the sales girl spoke to him at the register. He wanted a sticker, and they didn't have any. I guess not too many brave moms venture in that stores with toddlers in tow, so they weren't properly equipped.
• His temperament is changing a bit. He's still calm most of the time, but he's become prone to passionate outbursts, both of the funny and the angry variety. We are working hard at consistent and firm discipline. And when I say "we", I don't just mean Cory and me. David is clearly trying to discipline us as well. We just continue to try to follow that age-old tenant of toddler-rearing: don't ever let him win. Even if it means leaving a Sprint store red-faced and sweating from restraining him for 20 minutes in a desperate effort to keep him from running amuck amongst the displays. Not only did I win that battle, but I think I got faster service because they were trying to get me (us, really) the heck out of there.
• He has recently started saying "Mom-my" and "Dad-dy", instead of just "Mom" and "Dad". We both love this.
• Before we leave the house, we are required to say "bye" to everything. The TV, the toilet, the kitchen sink, the remote. Everything. And then we're off like a herd of turtles.
• He's just so darn much fun.

These are just a few details of our everyday life. I'm sure they will change in no time. Happy Wednesday, everyone.

My music man...

David has enjoyed a tune since very early on. I think the first jingles that caught his ear were of the commercial variety, I'm embarrassed to admit (Unique Home Solutions has been and continues to be his favorite, unfortunately). The more repetitive the melody the better.

His tastes have matured over the months, thanks to my trusty iPod and a few playlists I created for him. Combining Frank Sinatra, Train, and some good old '70s children's music (think "Free to Be You and Me" for example, google it and I guarantee you'll recognize the song) was the lucky charm, and the ambience created by these strange conglomerations has soothed many a fussy moment and entertained through many a dinner time.

He loves Bob Marley, Adele, OkGo and Muse.  He DOES NOT like Coldplay, Guns 'n' Roses, or any other of my '80s hairband rock (and yes, I still listen to this junk sometimes, my apologies to those of you with more refined tastes).  He dances, can't help it.  His feet just have to MOVE. And if he's stuck in his highchair then well, he just does this adorable move where he puts his chin to his chest, lowers his eyes and shakes his head from side to side. Not quite to the beat, but you get the picture.  Simply adorable.

Until recently, the iPod itself has been off limits. The docking station sits on top of the microwave, and after arriving to the kitchen for mealtime it is the first thing that David points to and asks to have turned on. So, now that he can sit in a big person's chair, I could not resist the urge to give him the iPod + docking station and let him go to town. The selection for this moment was an Allison Krauss and Robert Plant collaboration.  I love it myself.  And judging by these pictures, he does, too.

Let the music play!!