Paintbrushes

A random thing, but my son loves to carry around a paintbrush. The small water color kind, not the big house painting ones. Isn't that funny? He needs his material comforts; a thumb in the mouth or the fringe of his blankie, maybe a spatula or a paintbrush in hand. I feel like psychologists would have a hayday with this.

Rewards?

When does throwing fits get you rewards? When you are two years old and cute and live in Taiwan.

Fit #1: grocery store.
Cause of fit: refusing to let two year old block the pathway of other shoppers with the large trolly left within arms reach
Reward for fit: Clerk #1 calling out for 'tang guo tang guo' (candy) to the back and a handful of high chews being rushed out.

Fit #2: Picture frame store
Cause of fit: mommy not letting 2 year old pull the spool of hanging yarn.
Reward for fit: Shop owner cutting off a length of yarn to give to 2 year old.

Fit #3: bakery
Cause of fit: hmm, can't remember
Reward for fit: Piece of toblerone chocolate

Fit #4: friends house
Cause of fit: mommy trying to get two year old to leave friend's house because daddy had dinner ready for us in our house
Reward for fit: cookies


All the tour books say the same thing: Taiwanese people love babies, and part of the their love is hating to see babies cry. They will do anything stop it, hence the quick rush to candy and treats. (Another part of their love is unwarranted advice, but thats for another day)

Chris and Nevada

A few days ago Guinness was in the office sitting at the computer, and as I came to swoop him away he attempted a new defence; "I'm Chris!". Its doubly funny because today he was in the kitchen with me as I was making toast for breakfast and he grabbed my peanut butter knife and said, "I'm Nevada!"

Since we've been home he will call me Auntie Vada (like my nephew does) when he feels I'm not paying attention to him. He'll say, mom! Mom!!! MOM!!! Auntie Vada???!! and see what happens.

3 things...

Ugg, trying to remember some of the funny things that happen. Here's three in brief.

1) Guinness has adopted a tiny Woodstock doll as his baby. (Remember Woodstock from Snoopy?) He carries it around, has to have it to sleep, and periodically stops what he's doing to find his 'baby'.

2) We're trying to get his thumb out of his mouth more, and when we pull it out he sticks it right back in, pausing to say to us indignantly, "I'm sick!!!". Like we're so mean, keeping this poor sick baby from sucking away.

3) Guinness does not like/get pretend. When we joke and say things like, Are you a monkey? Are you the daddy?, he refuses to play along, saying urgently, "No, I'm Guinness!!!" Just in case we forget.

I love your...

Guinness loves his sister, but she is so pushy about it sometimes that when she goes for a(nother) hug or kiss he usually just pushes her off of him and yells. So yesterday was a very sweet moment when Gemma climbed into his crib with him after his nap and she was leaning right over him and he was smiling and touching her and saying "I love your hair!" "I love your lips" I love your eyes!" "I love your face" Gemma was of course melting from this tender interlude and both were giggling in a moment.

Busy boy...

I love my son so much, he is so funny and cute and cracks me up so much. He is also super cuddly and loves his mama, holding me tight with his arms around my neck and his legs wrapped around me like a baby monkey. Those things I love about 2 year olds.

I could live without the disobedience (no, Guinness. NO Guinness. NOOOO GUINNESS!!!!!!)

Deep breath

I am bracing myself for the worst flight with children ever. Guinness is fully infected with Terrible Two Syndrome, has fits and cries and defies EVERYTHING. So not cool. We have a long layover in HK, so that will give some good play time and running to get them tired for the Vancouver flight. We'll see how it goes :)