a kiss for baby

Lately Thomas has been giving kisses to us, the dogs and even my large belly. I'm sure he doesn't understand the concept of a baby inside there, but he pats/rubs my belly and when asked where the baby is, he points to my belly. M snapped this photo a second too late, but Thomas was giving his baby sister a couple of kisses last night. Have you seen anything more sweet??

Thomas' car parts book

Several weeks ago Thomas brought home a book that Pa-Pa had given him. It's a book full of everything one could want to completely rebuild an older car just like Pa-Pa's. Thomas loves this book. Every morning begins with a look through the book and he'll seriously study many of the pages. He looks at old brochures and books available for sale (as in the above photos) and exclaims with delight "Pa-Pa's car!!" when he sees a cover with the same car. He looks at page after page of car parts he recognizes such as bumpers, lights and wheels. He'll read the book with one of us and repeat words that we say like carburetor or manifold. I don't even know what those are, but I'm sure Thomas will figure out what they are and what they do long before I do.

tram-o-rama

This morning Portland opened their new trams to the public for free rides and celebration. It's a quick 3 minute ride with one tummy-tickling bump at the first support and the views offered are fantastic. The weather was clear and sunny this morning for our ride but soon gave way to overcast conditions. Still, a gorgeous morning for a fun family ride! Thomas did great on the ride up and again back down. He wasn't bothered by the bump in the ride, the height at which we were suspended in the air or the tram full of adults and children. Since parking is a premium in the area of the tram, we parked near the University and hopped the streetcar for a 10 minute ride to the tram and back. It was fun to check out two of our city's latest modes of urban transportation. Thomas clearly preferred the streetcar or "choo choo" as he called it, but M and I both preferred the much smoother ride of the tram (even with the tummy-tickling bump!).

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[left: T on the tram ~ right: T on the streetcar]

growth spurt

I didn't notice just how much Thomas had been growing until recently. Kids that were close to him in height just a month or two ago are suddenly appearing much shorter and some of these kids he simply towers over! I see this with friends and family, at playdates and in public places where there are others his age. And his feet are huge! We just got him new shoes and his feet measured a 7.5. The store recommends purchasing a half size larger for growth and the shoe that fit his feet well runs small so he's currently wearing a size 8.5 in this particular shoe. I can't help but look at him and think the same thing I think when I see a large breed puppy with their big paws -- he is going to be one tall guy when it's all said and done! My prediction is that he'll exceed his dad in height and rest his elbows on my shoulders just as my brothers and I did to my mom... What comes around goes around, eh?

[Pictured above: Thomas and playgroup friends during a babysitting exchange yesterday morning. He played at a friend's house while his mama enjoyed a yummy breakfast downtown followed by a relaxing spa pedicure...aaahhhhh. If only every day could start this way!]

we love sunny afternoons

This week has been sunny and gorgeous. Every afternoon after T wakes from his nap, we head straight outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. It's too good to resist!

planes, trains & automobiles

Thomas loves cars. And trucks. And trains. And planes. Fortunately for him, we have no shortage of planes, trains or automobiles near our home. The city always seems to be working in the area so he gets to check out backhoes, dump trucks, rollers, etc. There is a fire station just a few blocks away, a busy train track just a little further away, and plenty of cars and trucks between here and there to see. This afternoon we walked over to the fire station to look at the "fire car" as Thomas calls it. On the way home, we watched a couple of planes fly overhead. He loves it.

what he said

We stopped into an Old Navy yesterday to look for some much-needed maternity jeans. After finding a couple to try on, I headed for the dressing room with Thomas so M could look around. Inside, I heard rather loudly...

[Thomas] "Mama poop."

[me] mouth drops and a horrified look sweeps across my face... "Uh, what Thomas?"

[Thomas] "Mama Poop."

[me] "No, honey. Mama didn't poop. Did you poop?"

...and for the record, no one had pooped. Or farted. I have no idea where that came from.

ba-ba, ta-ta, ba-ba, ta-ta

Bela and Greta dogs everywhere... This weekend is the annual dog show in our city. Being dog fans with a toddler who is also a huge dog fan, we knew this was one show not to be missed. We had a great time watching the German Shorthaired Pointer (like our Greta, or "ta-ta" as Thomas calls her) and Vizsla (like our Bela, or "ba-ba" as Thomas calls her) competitions, but the agility contests were definitely a favorite for us all. Walking through the expo we saw dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors. Thomas made his horse and cat sounds for two of the breeds we saw...

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neigh

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meow, meow

as the weather warms...

...snow girl gives way to snow chair (with ottoman)!

even better snow!

Thomas isn't a big fan of snow at this age. During last week's snow, we went for a short walk and he didn't like it but I thought it was because the snow was coming down at a pretty good clip and we were walking into the wind. I figured he just didn't like the big snowflakes on his face. So today we waited for the snow to stop before venturing out to play, but again he wasn't crazy about it. What's not to like?? He may not be a fan of it yet, but his mama is!

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Yes, this is Thomas in a new toddler bed. Today marks his first nap in this little bed (note the second mattress on the floor and the many, many pillows nearby - just in case!). Yesterday we had the frame set up in the living room and he enjoyed playing all around it and in it. He would get in and get out, over and over again. M set it up in his room last night so this morning I showed it to Thomas and he eagerly climbed up into it. I told him he'd be napping there this afternoon after his new special friend came to visit. Yes, Thomas has a new special friend, too. Of course, Bela thinks the woman is her new special friend, but that's a whole other story.
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Something that happened last week left me needing some help with Thomas and also around the house. Doctor's orders! So this morning we had a nanny come in and stay with Thomas for four hours. It was the first time we had left him in someone else's care (other than a relative) so it was a big deal for me, but it didn't phase him at all. I left for about half the time and was "around" the other half. He really enjoyed playing with someone new and even I found myself enjoying listening to them play for the last little bit. I heard him say "up the hill". I hadn't heard him string three words together before so that was a nice surprise. When it was time for her to go, he gave her a hug and scrambled up onto the bench in the living room so he could watch her drive away. Overall, a positive first experience for both Thomas and myself.
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When it was time for his nap, Thomas walked upstairs to his room and went immediately to his new bed. He climbed up on it and sat for a few minutes before starting to climb back off. I told him that he'd be napping in his new bed today and he got right back up there and laid down. I then covered him up, planted a kiss on his forehead, Greta sniffed him a little and that was it. Not a peep. No movement whatsoever. Nothing. Nada.

20 months

At 20 months, Thomas is one laid back little guy. He's easy-going, sweet-natured, friendly and makes this mama gig much too easy for me. Well, most of the time anyway!

snow!

We got enough snow this morning to cover the ground and Bela was in heaven. You'd never know it given her shorthair and worship of the sun and all things warm, but Bela loves the snow. She'll run around in it with Greta, catch snowballs in her mouth, snap at falling snowflakes, "dig" at any attempts I make of building a snowman, etc. She's hysterical to watch!

blogging

I started this blog in October 2005 as a way to keep family and friends updated with the latest Thomas happenings (and the latest with our girls, too!). I've never been totally comfortable with the blog because of it's very public nature. It's a bit unnerving to think that anyone anywhere can access this blog. However, the public blog format is easy and works well. I've made an effort to not put too much personal information on it, to scrutinize all photos before posting, to not post photos and stories that may embarrass him someday, etc.

Lately I've been thinking about how much longer I want to continue One Boy, Two Dogs. I love that I'm actively documenting these first few years of Thomas' life (I'm pretty sure a written journal wouldn't be nearly as full), but I don't think I want to continue with it for years. Perhaps this new baby's arrival will be a good time to end this particular blog and begin a new one. I'll continue to post photos and stories of Thomas, but they'll be focused on the new baby. And two years later, I'll probably need to reconsider again what this blog is doing and how I want to use it.

Of course, this change won't happen until the new baby arrives (expected in May!), but this title will no longer work. Any suggestions? Maybe One Girl, Two Dogs?

...just because...

Thomas received a battery-powered quad from his Uncle Doug for Christmas (lucky boy!). He suddenly looks like a big kid, doesn't he??

wearing daddy's glasses

New Year's Day hike

As we do every year, this morning we started the new year off with a family hike through the woods. Thomas started off walking, but eventually had to get into the Kelty once the rains started so we could move along at a quicker pace. The girls, of course, were in heaven and after a post-hike bath, neither of them has moved much. It's fun to watch them have such a great time!