wherein he melts my heart

Today was a great day! We went to story time at the book store (which ended up not being so great because there was a guest who was horrible). Then we had a short visit with our friends Corbin and Megan (she wants me to do a sewing project for her and her son Corbin is part of Bennett's play group). After that, it was nap time. Two hours and then we were up and at 'em for the afternoon.

Bennett has begun participating in scientific studies at the University. Yesterday was his first session, today we went back for a little more. The study is with someone we'll call Dr. Hugo. He is observing the language development of children who come from a monolingual family as it compares to that of a child raised in a bilingual environment. How perfect for him that he has two children in the department who are just one month apart for comparison! Brian's co-worker has a son who is learning Chinese and English at home. I'm not sure of the details, but the study involves me playing with Bennett in a small room with an increasingly larger pile of toys. We are video taped and recorded through microphones. I'm anxious to find out the results. Dr. Hugo tells me that his goal is to track the boys for one full year, at three month increments.

The added bonus is that Bennett gets paid $15 each session. We've already got $30 in his college savings account. Whoo hoo! The boy may get some larnin'.

After we got home, Bennett and I had a great time putting the finishing touches on dinner. Then, we made mom's muffin batter together. Bennett is a very good stirrer! Very little of the batter escaped the bowl this time.

Dinner is when the little munchkin fell apart. Absolutely to pieces. We had to push his chair away from the table while we finished eating. Then, he was mostly uncooperative during bathtime. He kicked me and head-butted me as I was trying to rock him to sleep. I'd about had it when he asked me to help him find the g.d. tag on his blanket. SERIOUSLY KID!?!?!? I found it and touched his hand with it and whispered, "here it is, love."

He whispered right back, "Thank you."

I don't know how to title this one

So this is what Bennett found to be the funnest part of his week at Granna and Daddy-o's house. Let's have a title contest. Submit your entry below and I'll pick my fave.

he's lucky I love him

Tonight, Bennett and I are in a hotel room in Morgantown, WV. We're almost halfway to my parents' house in NC. We stopped only because I'm driving by myself (Brian is in DC for a conference) and I couldn't continue. I just couldn't keep either of us trapped in the car any longer. Also, my mom is a little under the weather, so we're giving her a few extra hours to rest before having this huge ball of puppy energy foisted upon her.

Anyway - this kid is lucky to be alive and un-bruised. He has been trying my patience. Maybe he's just been himself and my patience is generally worn thin from poor eating, long distance driving and lack of adult conversation. Regardless - it took him forever to calm down to go to sleep because he just wanted to wiggle on the "big bed". And by golly he was distracted by every little sound. The acoustics are terrible in these cheaper hotels. But we're in a Best Western - so I can only imagine what we'd be hearing in a Motel 6. We simply got spoiled by the Staybridge Suites when we went to Susan's wedding. You couldn't hear ANYTHING in that place. Loved it.

I'm hoping that he'll at least sleep until 7am. He hasn't moved in the hour that he's been asleep so far. I'm going to turn in shortly. Brought a book with me and I'd like to read at least two pages . . . more than I've read in a week.

There's lots more to report, but it will have to wait for another day.

Paging Dr. Allman, Jr.

Tonight, Bennett wore his "doctor jamas" for the first time. It's been warmer here, so I figured he didn't need the full regalia of "grandpajamas". He LOVES his scrubs!

Did someone call for a doctor?

Mom, no one trusts a one-socked doc. A little help?

I'm ready, is this thing on??

A rock a day keeps the bad dreams away.

We just need a surgery cap and he's all ready for Halloween 2012. As long as he doesn't grow!

he's got adventure in his blood, it seems

So guess who just showed up in the kitchen with a snow shovel? The snow shovel that WAS out on the front porch. The porch that is OUTSIDE the front door. The front door that was SUPPOSED to be impenetrable by my toddler.

Yeah, that kid.

When I got over the initial shock, I asked him to show me how he got the shovel. He walked to the door and said, "I open it." I suppose we have to lock the screen door now too.

And one and two and down and up . . .

For tonight's viewing pleasure we have a perfect example of "I wanna be just like daddy."