Isn't it ironic?

Despite the spate of negativity I have spewed here lately, it has actually been an AWESOME week. For example, the playgroup yesterday was really fun - it was such a diverse mix. Yeah, it bothered me that M is so Nervous, but overall, it was an interesting group. One note about the babyproofing - X and I did not just wave our hands at it and pronounce it useless. We discussed very carefully what we were willing To Do and Not To Do. For example, gates are not up all over the place - the compromise is that we watch Arun like a hawk. We do have gates for some of the rooms upstairs and we move them around with us. Also, I don't have the gate on the 4th step, but rather the 3rd step. Basically, we don't have a good setup for leaving Arun unattended anyway, so why go crazy with the Safety Dance?

SO, like I mentioned, it has been a GREAT week. Once I gave up on the novel idea that Arun would take Textbook Naps, the days have been easier. I have a Catnapper for a son and life is better now that I have just accepted that. Nighttime has been going well, too. Since X is out of town, I can put Arun in his crib around 8:00ish and he fusses himself to sleep within 30 minutes or so. He gets up around midnight or so, but then I just pull him into bed with me. No wonder I was going a little freaky - these past few nights have been downright DELICIOUS having such large blocks of time to myself. Last night, I frolicked around the house until nearly 1:00 am. I was downright giddy with Kid Free Glee.

I have really been enjoying him lately. I try very hard to let things like dishes and clutter go by the wayside and just hang out watching him play with the bazillion toys he has in his possession. In fact, this week has gone so good, that Cousin J didn't come yesterday because she was sick and I wasn't even disappointed. In fact, I was a little relieved because Arun and I were still having fun when 3:30 rolled around. Today, I called her and said to not worry about coming over, either. I was going to the farmer's market and wanted to take him with me. We wrapped up the evening by having dinner at Blue Koi, browsing Prospero's bookstore for awhile, then coming home and playing some more.

Really, just a lovely evening. And the bonus? X is coming home TONIGHT, instead of Friday. I've been missing him this week, so it will be good to see him. Also, I bought a new toaster that I am dying to show him.

To make up for the Negativity lately, I present a Peace Offering in the form of Snappage....


Already pushing little old ladies outta the way. Just plain RUDE.

He loved pushing Great Aunt P's walker around. He was also pretty impressed with her cane, wheelchair and apparatus for the oxygen tank. Do we have a Male Nurse in the making?


Walker. Stalker. Talker.

Besides having my own personal stalker (restraining orders, anyone?), I also have my own little chatterbox. He wakes up and immediately starts babbling. And doesn't really shut up for the rest of the day. Also, he is obsessed with the toy walker thingie. In the past few days, he has learned how to actually turn it around, so now he is all over the place with it. The look of Pride on his face as he strolls by? Priceless. He's also started standing sans Support, although he doesn't stand for long. Everyone says I am "in trouble", but since he's already mobile, I am not sure what that "trouble" could be. Perhaps, I don't want to know?


Takin' a Chance on the Safety Dance.

He started pulling out sacks a few at a time and I thought, "Aw, what the hell?" Little did I know. I swear I turned for like half a minute. I wonder if my hopes for Mother of the Year are finally dashed for good?


Actually, his Bark IS bigger than his Bite.

Because he is still in possession of a mere TWO teeth. Still, how can you resist Gooeylicious Cheeks interspersed with Twin Chiclets?


Life is but a Game.

We have two games that provide this smiling reaction. A rousing rendition of "I'm Gonna Get You", actually GETS him. The 2nd one involves simply counting "1...2...3".... He knows that SOMETHING is going to happen after 3, he's just not sure what because we switch it out for variety (or to save our own Sanity, at least). Anyway, this works equally well in Hindi. Next week? Spanish. After that? Japanese. The sooner we get crackin' on those SAT skills, the better - right?


A Mushroom Cloud of HAIR.

I swear I did NOT Photoshop this head. It's the real thing in all its Nuclear Inspired Glory. Au naturale, babycakes!