Hueston's Sunday Adventures.

The nursery is a zoo. Exhibits A, B, and C.

Also, a ride on Pa Pa's tractor.

Twenty-Three Months (Slightly Overdue).

Only one more month until it won't be appropriate to refer to Hueston's age in months. Boo hoo...

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Mama's old paintbrushes are getting a workout - but not with paint.

Old magazines, ready to donate to a friend's office waiting room - I keep pulling out the December 2006 issue, for some reason. Perhaps Mama ought to re-read it.

I love to pilfer the utensil drawers and open the dishwasher - and check out my cool new pjs!

 Mama wonders if this foreshadows my future hobbies. 

I love to say ball, catch, bounce, kick, throw, roll, and pass.

Who can resist this face?

I love to explore. Nowhere is safe.

I climbed into this chair all by myself.

I have discovered that I like Thomas the Tank Engine.

This isn't a pool, it's a hat.

Mama, I'm stuck! Why can't I pick it up? I only weigh 27 pounds!

Check out my amazing legs - evidence that I'm a perpetual motion machine.

Stay tuned for my second birthday - same bat channel!

Wordless Wednesday.

Five Random Things.

1. Hueston has begun to group words together. Friday while we were waiting for David, who was running a little late, he said "Dada... soon!" I replied "Yes, Dada soon!" and he said "Home!" Then, yesterday morning, he brought me "Ten Apples Up On Top" (a current favorite) and said "Apples... Top! Book! Read!"
2. I found a cache of old papers which had been left here by the woman who owned this house before us. She saved literally EVERY piece of paper associated with EVERY appliance or piece of furniture bought for the house - down to packing slips and all the little brochures and ads that come with instruction booklets. Should I save any of it? The warranties for the few things left behind have expired long ago, and I'm pretty sure I don't need the instruction booklet for how to operate my refrigerator.
3. I feel better about my status as a hoarder because of the above.
4. In one month, Hueston will have to move out of the baby nursery at church and into the toddler nursery. I'm not ready.
5. In the baby nursery this morning, the activity of choice was pushing the changing table around as if it were a cage. The things four toddler boys will do...

Wordless Wednesday.

A Theme.

Happy Birth Day!

Welcome to the world, Van Leon Cowley! We can't wait to meet you, and we're glad that you're happy and healthy and that mom Sara, dad Matt, and big brother Emmett are all doing well, too.

I Am A Jedi.

Manners.

I read this article after seeing it posted on Facebook this morning, and I hope that I can instill things like this in Hueston. I'd probably do well to make sure I'm doing all of them myself, to set an example for him!
These are not the only things I hope he learns as he grows up, but they are excellent reminders of the importance of being considerate of other people, which is what manners are mostly about, right?
I'm copying the article here so it'll be easier to read, but here's the link to the place where I found it.

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25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9

Helping your child master these simple rules of etiquette will get him noticed -- for all the right reasons.
By David Lowry, Ph.D.

Your child's rude 'tude isn't always intentional. Sometimes kids just don't realize it's impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady walking in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don't always have the time to focus on etiquette. But if you reinforce these 25 must-do manners, you'll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.

Manner #1 When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2 When receiving something, say "Thank you." 

Manner #3 Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking. 

Manner #4 If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation. 

Manner #5 When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later. 

Manner #6 The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults. 

Manner #7 Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome. 

Manner #8 When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.
 
Manner #9 When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.
 
Manner #10 Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11 When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling. 

Manner #12 Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect. 

Manner #13 Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant. 

Manner #14 Don't call people mean names. 

Manner #15 Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel. 

Manner #16 Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best. 

Manner #17 If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me." 

Manner #18 Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public. 

Manner #19 As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else. 

Manner #20 If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new. 

Manner #21 When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile. 

Manner #22 When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers! 

Manner #23 Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do. 

Manner #24 Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary. 

Manner #25 Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Originally published in the March 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

Voice on Video.

1. One. I thought this one might capture him singing the ABC song, but you only get a few bars and then he moves on.
2. Two! The focus is not great, but you can hear him talking, which is mostly the point.
3. Three. He has really been getting better at pronounciation, but on the newer words it's fun to hear him experiment with different sounds.
4. Four. He learns something new every day, at the very least.

Today.

1. Hueston is taking a nap on the guest bed, surrounded by pillows. This happy development began when we were on our extended tour of Anderson's house in North Carolina last weekend.
2. I am cleaning my circa-1992 4-cup basket-filter Mr Coffee, bought for me when I was going to college by my grandmother Nanny. It will be going in the garage sale this weekend, so now it's getting a nice bath with white vinegar and water. I'm feeling a little nostalgic about it - it's made many a cup of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate since those first days in Gramley dorm!
3. While hanging up laundry, I came across some of the hangers from my 30th birthday party, for which Krissi instructed my friends to bring me 30 of something. Thanks, Jana! These were a great choice.
4. Facebook is a giant black hole with a huge gravitational pull.
5. David brought me dinner from Olive Garden last night - Pork Milanese! H and I will be eating the leftovers for lunch today. Yum!
6. H has now woken from his nap and is ensconced in his booster seat, happily eating peas and carrots.
7. It's lunchtime!

Fifteen Random Things.

1. Today, caffeine is my friend. We're not usually that close - pretty independent - but today is different.
2. Sickness can cause disruptions in sleeping patterns. --> Toddler sickness is a beast. --> #1.
3. According to "What to Expect: The Toddler Years," Hueston is potentially learning a new word EVERY TWO WAKING HOURS.
4. His newest words are kangaroo and hangers.
5. H just picked up his juice and milk sippy cups, held them to his chest, and said "Hug."
6. He is also learning various sound effects. I suppose I should get used to this.
7. The list of whole numbers is as follows: wah, two, fwee, four, eight, ten!
8. Is it possible to overuse the phrase "This is not a proportionate response" with a toddler? :)
9. I love H's cloth diapers - BumGenius 3.0, Flip, and Econobum.
10. Line-drying is curiously satisfying. I got to use an actual clothesline when we were in NC, and the process of carrying the basket out with a bag of clothespins was nice.
11. 
12. Editing a book (or following the editing process) is interesting work, but it's far less painful when it's someone else's book.
13. When wet, cheap white paper napkins smell like petroleum or something equally nasty, and they leave the smell behind on your fingers. Ew.
14. Bounty paper towels really are better than the store brand. *sigh*
15. H has learned to climb. Nothing is safe.

My Mother's Day Present.

David planned the project, picked out everything, and did all the work himself.
I didn't know a thing about it until I came home last night. :)