We started taking pictures a little bit later this time around, but better late than never, right?
Week 22:
Heart beat: 148bpm
Weight: 15 oz
Everyone is doing fine.
Category Archives: Pictures
artoo ver 0.22
trick or treat
This year was the first time for Brooklynn that Halloween has been on a weekday, which also meant that we didn’t sit around all afternoon waiting for the right time to go trick or treating. In fact, by the time we got home from work/school and made supper, we already had one group of kids at our door. We got Brooklynn’s costume on and headed out ourselves.
Last year, Brooklynn could only say a few words, and so most our trick or treating experience was us ringing the doorbell for her and trying to get her to stay up on the steps by the door long enough for someone to come and answer it. This year, we rehearsed at home before we went out.
“Ok, what do you say when they open the door? Trick or treat, right?”
“TrikrtrEAT!”
“Ok, then, when they give you candy, what do you say?”
“Thank you.”
Great, we’re ready. First house. Brooklynn loves to ring doorbells, so that part was easy. We went directly next door to the neighbor’s house that she’s been in. We figured starting somewhere familiar would be helpful. Right after she rang the doorbell, Rhiannon asks her if she remembers what to say. Confidently, “Trick or Treat!” Perfect, we’re all set.
They answer the door. “Dylan1 home?” Yes, she’s home. Ok, now what do you say? “Me go inside?” Nope, remember why we’re here? And why you have your treat bucket? “Duncan2 here?”
Yes, Brooklynn, Dylan’s home, Duncan’s home. Now, why are you in costume? What do you say? “Hi!”
Brooklynn, just say trick or treat, please. And she whispers quietly while burying her face in Rhiannon’s legs, “trick or treat…”
Saying thank you went much better, but that was pretty much the M.O. for the remainder of the evening. Very fun to ring doorbells, Trick or Treating before the door was opened, and instantly turning shy when people opened the door.
As much fun as it was to get candy, she was just as interested in the other kids that were out. Little kids, big kids, all fascinating. She had no use for kids dressed up with scary masks. Didn’t like them. Didn’t want to get close to them.
And then we got to round two of the evening. We went home and got to hand out candy to other kids. Our doorbell would ring and Brooklynn would go running for the door. “Kids here!” Again, as long as the masks weren’t scary, she was the one to hand out candy.
And yes, she got to eat some too. Next year, we’ll have another non-talking, non-walking addition to the family, and Brooklynn might understand the concept of Halloween a little better. And eventually, she’ll want to decide what to dress up as. So far she’s been a Tootsie Roll, a lady bug, and a unicorn. The last two are some of Rhiannon’s favorite things. Who knows, maybe someday she’ll be one of the kids behind the scary mask.
For now, we’ll be content with the little kid who just wants a couple pieces of candy and some time to unwrap it herself.
Then again, who really needs to unwrap it first?
wonders of the world
This past weekend, we visited some friends out in Oakland, California. It was our first time in that area and the first time we’ve vacationed with Brooklynn. Up to this point in her life, she has lived in a world of the midwestern plains with very infrequent trips to the nearby mountains sprinkled in. So, of course we added in tons of kid-centered activities, right?
Of course we did. Things such as
- Wine tasting
- Driving tours of the Bay Area
- Sitting in adult type restaurants
- Keeping her up late well past her bedtime
And to be honest, she did really well, considering the fact that she’s two.
While we were busy wine tasting and driving around Napa Valley, Brooklynn found activities like putting fallen leaves in a fountain and watching them float and “going to work” by carrying Rhiannon’s purse up and down some stairs1
When we drove around San Francisco, Brooklynn got it in to her head that she wanted to go swimming in the water she saw. And when we stopped at the beach, it was cold, sandy, and dirty. She wanted nothing to do with the water.
When we stopped to look at the Golden Gate Bridge, she occupied herself searching for bugs in the grass and mud.
And when we walked more than a few blocks from our restaurant to Ghiradelli Square for some dessert, she marched right along with us. Her biggest concern was not that we were traveling on foot across a strange city after dark. Rather, it was the fact that at certain places, she had three shadows from the various street lights. Three! More than one! Which one of them should she choose to walk on and what direction should she go?!?!
She participated in the chocolate and ice cream at the end of walk. See, we did do something she would enjoy.
At the Denver airport, she rode on a bus and train and an airplane. She saw the ocean and stood on the beach. And she won’t remember any of it.
The joys of being little.
- Rhiannon, who was our default designated driver, also got the job as de facto baby-sitter due to her not participating in the drinking of wine. Thanks, honey. ↩
new boots
I’m finally getting back through some of the older pictures that I haven’t posted yet. I’m only two months behind at this point with three outstanding books to create. I figure that I have a relatively hard deadline next March or so. If I’m not current with Brooklynn at that point, I have very little chance of making up ground once Artoo comes to visit.
Since before Brooklynn was old enough to walk, she has been interested in shoes. Especially Rhiannon’s shoes. Heels, sandals, flats, you name it. If it was laying on the floor, she has attempted to put it on and walk around. When we cleaned out her closet of the winter clothes that were out of season and too small, her snow boots got included in the sweep. Of course, she saw them and wanted to wear them.
We explained that they didn’t fit her anymore, but really – that has very little meaning to a two year old. For the next week, she continued to request boots whenever we would put any type of footwear on her. Finally, at Target, Rhiannon found a pair of rain boots for her.
Another week later, it even rained.
She was just a little excited to have a reason to run around in her new boots. And contrary to what these pictures may indicate, she does open her eyes when she runs.
I think…
project family 4.0r2-13
Welcome to Project Family, version 4.0, Artoo edition. We are just a little past week 13, and we have an update.
Heart rate, 150. Measures just a little older than we think, but with an error of plus/minus 8 days, who knows. Rhiannon would like it if Artoo could be a little bit smaller than Beta turned out.
Brooklynn was really excited to see and hear the baby, especially at the end when the ultrasound showed a little movement going on. In her opinion, the baby was dancing. She thinks she’s ready to have the baby at home. Little does she know the changes that are in store for her as she loses her only-child status.
Rhiannon also told me that the last Artoo post might have indicated he1 was not planned. This is not the case. Very much planned and, in fact, about the timing we were hoping for. Rhiannon can take off for maternity leave next spring and carry on through the summer with only a little time off unpaid. At least that’s the goal.
- No, we don’t know anything for sure yet. But saying Artoo over and over gets old. Pronouns are the win. ↩
