Tater at 20 months

Tater actually turned 20 months old back on Easter, but I've been so busy chasing him around that I haven't had much time to update here. I'm not sure this physical therapy stuff to help him walk was such a great idea. It is SO much easier to take care of a toddler who can't run away from you!

But seriously, it is great fun to do things with him now since he can show us what he's interested in. He has lots of new "words." I know the baby books say they should have x number of words by a certain age, but does that mean words that other people can understand? I'm pretty sure only Brad and I know what he's talking about most of the time, and even that is iffy. His new words are bottle (bauble), ball (ball ball), balloon (bbbb), book (bbbb), boot or shoe (bbbbb), bye bye, bath, (bah), door (doh doh), cookie (kiki), dog (ninah--no idea why), phone (goo goo--again, no idea why this means phone), keys, elbow, eye, and have it (habbee, habbah). Tate is often surprised to find himself playing catch when he really wanted milk or drinking a bottle when we just wanted to toss the ball around, but other than that we're doing pretty well. And I love that he calls the phone "goo goo" since now I actually have a baby who speaks stereotypical babyspeak. And he can even tell us he wants to go to the park by saying "ninah, ball ball" since that is where we go to see dogs playing ball.

 I know in 6 months this will all be a blur, so just for the record at this age Tate loves playing ball, going to the park, watching dogs, picking up sticks and rocks and putting them down manhole covers, and baths and washing his hands. He also loves throwing things (food, toys). We're working on that. He has a great sense of humor and cracks us up all the time. Not to jinx myself, but he's been a great sleeper most of the time these days. I think he tires himself out running around all day. He hates crafts. Today at our park district class he threw crayons, tried to eat the glue stick, and wiggled around to try to get free and tossed his artwork on the ground. Did I mention arts and crafts only lasts 5 minutes? It was like that last week too, and I'm starting to dread arts and crafts time. He also gives great hugs and kisses when he's in the mood. He loves to make a fort out of a blanket by putting it over our heads. Then he cuddles underneath it and gives me a kiss. It really is the best and totally makes up for the days when I have to put him in multiple (and useless, near as I can tell) time-outs for biting me, hitting, scratching/gouging my face, and other general toddler mayhem.

The Way We Were

My awesome friend Beth watched Tater this past weekend so Brad and I could finally go out and celebrate our anniversary. She had to give me a little shove to get me out the door (literally), but once we were out we had a great time. It was fun to remember what it was like back when it was just the two of us. Going on a date post-baby also reminded us how much more awesome Dating Brad and Sandra were compared to Parents Brad and Sandra.

Here is how our night WOULD have likely gone c. 2004:

9:00 PM: Arrive for dinner at Longman & Eagle (OK, it wasn't there then, but this is hypothetical). Are told that the wait will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Who cares! More time for flirting and witty banter at the bar. Immediately order whiskey cocktails.
9:30 PM: Cocktails gone. Whee! This is fun! Tipsy Dating Sandra talks Brad into sharing a whiskey flight.
10:30 PM: We are shown to our table. Enjoy a leisurely dinner of apps, entrees, dessert and coffee. Oh, and what the heck, Tipsy Dating Brad orders a bottle of wine. We're celebrating, and it's not like we have to be anywhere in the morning!
11:30 PM: Become drunk friends with the hipster foodie guys at the table next to us.
MIDNIGHT: Convince hipsters to join us at Liar's Club for dancing and PBR's. Whee!
2:30 AM: Leave hipsters and head to local 4 a.m. dive bar for a nightcap.
3:00 AM: I'm huuuunnnnngry. Who wants PANCAKES??? Head to Hollywood Grill for pancakes and coffee.
3:45 AM: Come home and pass out, sleep until 11 AM the next day, go out for pancakes. Come home and take naps.

Here is how our night actually went:

9:00 PM: Arrive at Longman & Eagle. Are told the wait will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Crap. Will that work? We don't want Beth to be stuck at our house all night. Decide to put our name in anyway and see what happens. Head to the bar and order whiskey cocktails.
9:30 PM: Uh oh. I realize I haven't eaten since noon and am seriously drunk from one whiskey cocktail. Brad orders appetizers for us as the bar.
10:00 PM: Appetizers arrive. I ravenously and gracelessly eat crostini and cheese and drop a piece on Brad's shoe. He seems a little annoyed.
10:30 PM: We are shown to our table. We've already had our appetizers, so we order entrees. We very responsibly decide to each get a glass of wine with dinner rather than a bottle. We split a dessert, and Brad orders a double espresso.
11:00 PM: Do not become drunk friends with hipster foodies when they start chatting with Brad about his entree. Sober Parent Sandra finds them somewhat pretentious and annoying.
11:30 PM: Arrive home and fall asleep on the couch. Brad is up half the night because of the espresso. No pancakes.

OK, maybe we aren't less awesome now. Just more responsible. But I do miss the pancakes.