One and a Half

Our baby Carson is 18 months old today. He's growing up into a smart, curious, talkative, good-tempered, handsome, and generally charming little boy. I know, I'm his mom, but it's honestly true. Just yesterday I had total strangers tell me how sweet, well-behaved and darling he is; they offered to trade him for their cat.


But today he had a bad day. Maybe it was the cumulative effects of two days of mom working followed by two days of weekend lack-of-schedule running around. Maybe he's catching my cold; maybe he's teething. In any case, he was cranky all day, crying at hurts and disappointments that normally wouldn't be cause for a batted eyelash, seemingly searching out places and things he's not allowed, and repeatedly, intentionally disobeying instructions I had given him just previously.


And as happens more frequently than it should, his bad day became my bad day. Instead of being the wise, gracious and loving parent he needed to help him through it, I got frustrated, gave up trying to comfort him, selfishly bewailed the nap I didn't get because he could not/would not nap himself this afternoon, whined right back when he cried at me. It was not my worst hour, but it wasn't anything to be proud of. By dinnertime we were both reaching the end of our rope. I was snapping at him for minor infractions merely because there had been so many of them, and it's safe to say I was not in an elevated state of mind.


And then my 18 month old, through his tears and sputtered bits of green bean on his face, wailed "Jesus?" and then "Pray? God." So we prayed. And we sang "Jesus Loves Me." And we both felt better, at least until bedtime. Next time maybe I'll remember to be the mom and point him in the right direction.


Little tidbits from the world of Carson: We bought a forward-facing car seat a couple of months ago for our trip to Portland, hoping it would keep him from disintegrating after the first hour of travel. He definitely prefers having that view (although I still make him ride rear-facing most of the time around town--he's a dinky kid). He likes being able to point things out to me: "Twuck... Odder twuck... twees. Snowing!" And sometimes, "Mountain! Shasta!" However, that view of his now includes what mom and dad are doing up front, which has its downsides. Yesterday I bought a tea for the homeward drive from Ashland, and handed Carson his milk before hitting the road. He was indignant that I was not giving him any of my tea. He asked for it repeatedly ("Tea! Pease.") and getting nowhere, finally ordered, "Share!" (He can't say the "r", but I don't know how to phonetically spell what he said.) Thank you Debbie, Katie and/or Reece for teaching him this at daycare, because I'm certain he didn't learn it at home!

He repeats just about everything we say to him now, using a vocabulary in excess of 300 words I'm sure, and including such gems as "goldfinches" and "moisturizer" (his version sounds like "juwizuh".) "Poopy diaper" is a current favorite phrase. He's also started pointing out text--on aisle signs in the grocery store today, for example--by saying "a, a". When reading books, he can usually interject a key word every page or so if I give him the chance. He does have a preference for sound effects, like the fire engine siren and the fire bell "clang", and the "Bang, huff, toot toot" of the train.

He recently surprised me by pointing out the bicycle (actually very correctly
enunciated), "(gui)tah" and "chewwo" on this page. Oh, and of course
the dog, clock and pot too. He's still working on "saxophone".

This book is his greatest achievement. He can read the whole story--all the words,
leaving out only the "and"s. Actually, he was able to do this a month ago,
but refuses to even look at the book when I try to capture a video.
You'll just have to take my word for it :^)

And I'll try to get some posts up illustrating what else he's been up to besides books and talking for the past few months... if there has been anything else.

He knows what's up.

Coming up on 17.5 months, and Carson's language acquisition prowess never ceases to amaze us. He's now reached the ability to narrate pretty much everything that goes on in his day. And he does. It might go something like this:

"Hungwy. Eat. Food. Milk! Good." [Good is one of his favorite words. He uses it for all food and drink items consumed, and also some things that shouldn't be consumed, like puddle water and cat food.]

"Puhse [mom's]. Get it! Chair. Cwimbing. Out [everything that used to be in it]. Waddet! [wallets are extra exciting]. Phone! Hewwo? Down. Sitting. Book. Wead! Side-side. [He wants to go outside.] Shoes. Jacket. Snowing!"

Etc., etc....

He loves to carry firewood into the house with Dad.
"Wood! Hehping!"

Over the last couple of months he first mastered "Please", with the accompanying sign, then added "Thank you", which comes out as "De-doo" with his finger next to his mouth. Recently he's realized that I always respond with "You're welcome" and now sometimes he skips straight to that if he's asking for something. But if he really wants it he may string all those special words together: "Pease? De-doo? Wehcome?"

Every day he uses a new word or two or five that I didn't even know he was learning. Onion, olive, stuck, tray, hammer, knight are some that appeared in the last couple of days. But this morning took the cake. Bubba was massaging my shoulders and I said "Thank you". Carson chimed in with "g'Wehcome!" Then as his parents chuckled and gazed at him admiringly, he modestly grinned and added, "Dohble"--adorable!

A look back, part 2: spring 2010

I'm pretty sure it's bad form to post a previous year recap at the end of FEBRUARY, but this is my blog and I want to finish my recap even if it takes several more months, so there :^) Also, I apologize to all my Facebook friends who have seen most of these photos before, but this is my "permanent" record. I'll stop excusing myself now.

In April we got more snow but were able to hike to Mossbrae Falls by the end of the month when my parents came to visit. Carson mastered sitting up.

At just six months, he's still fairly back-bound

Love those chubs.

Hey, we're outside! How cool! And I'm flying! I mean, sitting!

What is this stuff anyway?

OK, enough with the torture, mom! Get me out of here!

After the snow is gone... the wreckage appears.

Due to Bubba's unpredictable work schedule,
occasionally Carson ended up at the vet clinic with me.
Here he's bedded down in the attic for a nice rest
with the other boxes.

When he wasn't sleeping, he pitched in and helped where he could.

The non-mobile stage has its advantages!

Kitchen utensils make the best toys.

Headed to Mossbrae. This train was moving,
but very slowly--a fun up-close experience.

Also very loud. Carson didn't seem to mind.

Don't worry, it's moving away from us!

May was the month for showers and flowers around our house. Bubba continued his work, begun in April, of hauling many loads of storm debris to the temporary dump in town (all of which was shipped to Oregon to fuel a co-gen plant--a great alternative to burning it all in our yard!).

My favorite daffodil

Indian Warrior

Apparently deer find them tasty, because these specimens vanished quickly

Some green grass at last. And lots of debris.

Hunting for wild edibles already! That's our mountain man.

Friends help us clean up, even in the pouring rain.
The loss of this tree still makes me really sad.

Happy backpack boy doesn't care if he gets wet.

You can tell it's still cold outside--and we need a bigger bed!

Wait, maybe we just need more crock pots?

Little Cat continued to endear himself to Bubba especially. Unfortunately I have no pictures of him following us around the yard and leaping from limb to limb in the trees like a squirrel. But he also was the cat most likely to be found within Carson's reach:

Nice kitty! Would you like to share my changing table?

Well, come over here and cuddle then!

Closer, where I can reach you!

Hey, ow, that's my foot you're gnawing on!

Let me show you how that feels!

It's OK, mom, we're just playing!

Really, he likes it when I do this....
yes, that's one tolerant cat. RIP.

Here's the video version, if you have the patience:

Our planned 6-month photo shoot for Carson was delayed by weather, so we got 7-month pictures instead. Thanks to Taryn for these great captures!

June was our vacation month. Our first trip was the annual Yosemite camping week with Bubba's parents, for which my parents joined us this year. Carson was so excited about his first visit to the park that he couldn't sleep at night. Actually probably had more to do with being outdoors, and unusual noises... anyway he was cranky much of the time in consequence. We still enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Bubba got up before dawn every morning to walk Carson around
for miles in the Bob in an effort to get baby and mom a little sleep.

For campsite fun, you can't beat caution tape.

Those Suess men love their breakfast Spam.

too short

The lupine displays near Foresta were incredible this year.

Taft Point. Carson and I did it twice this year,
as in our grouchy state we were only up for short hikes :^)
It was magnificent both times.

Bub and I snuck away for a Mist Trail fix without the baby.
Thanks Grandmas!

Lembert Dome

Dad, I'm pretty sure this is a lodgepole.

We had to find our own trail, navigating around lots of snow and water.

On our way home from the park, we stayed over with friends
in Genoa, NV--a lovely time. Grandma takes Carson around the yard.

Back home: Carson nibbles on Dad's nose

Hanging out with GG (Great-Grandma Rose)

At the end of June the Lawlor family flew across the country in their new plane, and we met them in Sunriver for a several days along with my parents.

Terrible photo, but I don't want to forget this crawling workshop,
with Grandma and several cousins urging on a wailing Carson
and demonstrating how he should try to use his limbs.
He started crawling a few days later--finally! so it was worth it.

Smith Rock

Rafting the Deschutes. Barry and Wesley are hidden in there
somewhere! It was a cold experience, but an exciting end to the month.