Pumpkins and Fake Whoopies.

Columbus Day weekend has come and gone.  G and I survived an entire week by ourselves while Terry learned all there is to know about running a Books-A-Million (BAM) at his training in Alabama.  (Suffice to say, thank goodness for Gabby the Rottweiler. Whether she knew it or not, she successfully guarded the house and provided a little bit of ease to my "what was that noise" paranoia.

I will not make eye contact.

Not so impressed with lunch

The weekend was gorgeous.  Indian Summer had finally decided to arrive, bringing temps into the 80s, which made the leaves turn their brilliant reds, oranges, yellows and browns.  Saturday was spent doing not so fun errands, like getting two new tires.  Here's the thing about doing errands like that with a toddler.   When the guy behind the counter tells you it'll be an hour and a half, and you're stuck without a vehicle at a little strip mall, there's a slight degree of panic that courses through.  However, it's hot out and lunchtime.  So we make lemonade out of lemons and head to lunch.  


After lunch, we still had about half an hour to kill.  Cooks Corner has a great wide open clean space for little people to explore.  So explore we did.  Much like his momma used to, G found delight in sticking his fingers into any available slot to see what he could find.  No ice cream was found here.

Exploring my new box o' toys

Someone handed me this huge whiffle bat. 

Sunday proved to be a beautiful day to spend at an old favorite, Fort Williams park at Portland Headlight, in Cape Elizabeth.  Terry and many of his former Borders crew were meeting up to celebrate the end of an era and to hear from Terry what new adventure BAM would bring.  There was food galore and a view that couldn't be any more spectacular.  Per Terry's request, I made what I call fake whoopie pies.  Recipe to follow.  They're decadent, chocolatey, and oh so delicious.

It was a long hot day, and we were so proud of the Boo. He lasted hours without a nap or a complaint, and had fun being the only pint-sized to wander the party.   His charming moments included running through the picnic shelter only to stop dead in his tracks and assume the downward facing dog yoga position. He also had great fun in scaring us all by trying to fling a toy football over the rocky ledge and wanting to go after it.  Always the daredevil.


Monday was Columbus Day and while the College was open, daycare was not.  So I took the day off, packed the G into the car and headed for Kennebunk to visit with Grammie and Grampie.  It was another beautiful day, so we went to a nearby playground where I discovered a few things about G.  First, he's definitely become more and more curious about playgrounds and exploration.  Yay!   Second, picking up and throwing the chips, rocks, or gravel is actually his FAVORITE thing to do.  And third, he LOVES going down a slide.

Hungry hungry hippo.

The succession of throwing is as follows: Pick up, pull back, let goooo!

Back at Grammie and Grampie's, a giant pumpkin was waiting for him on their front porch.

Close to our day winding down, G decided to empty his bag of toys right in front of the door. I guess he found that to be his special place to play. (We had a wardrobe malfunction and had to change. Thank goodness mommy always packs a spare!)

Finally, arriving home, the warm breezes whisking through our hair, G and I played outside for a bit.  The end to a perfect day.

Not sure what this face means.

Look left!

Look right!

These are a few of my favorite things.

As I was getting G dressed this morning, I reflected that yesterday he was 17 months old.  One month shy of the 18th month milestone.  As I was getting his giggly wiggly self into the outfit du jour, I thought about all the things make him...well, him.  His personality that continues to blossom every day, the phases we're entering that are so different from those of a year ago.  I was remembering that a year ago today was when he first rolled over while at a visit to my parent's house.  (I remember this vividly because it is also the day we lost our beloved Inky cat). Anyway, it got me thinking of all the things I love about him at this age...how as challenging as it can be, I wish I could freeze those moments that stand out as the tiny treasures of toddlerhood. (even the ones that are thoroughly messy!)

Someday, G, when you read this, you'll know all about the little things that I noticed and loved about you at this time in your life.  I write them so I'll never forget and so we can relive them together. Suffice to say, you are the best thing I've ever had a hand in creating. So, for now, here is my list.

1.  I love the way you grasp Giraffe's tail at bedtime, and when I look in on you later, you're still holding on to him--twirling it in your sleep, comforting you.  He is your favorite. You search within your crib for him desperately and then find peace when you know he's there.  Sometimes you hold just the tail, sometimes you hug him entirely, all night. 

2.  I love that you know how to blow kisses, but you're selective in who and how often you give them away.  Of course, I love when they are directed at me.

3.  I love how when I'm holding you, you always grasp my necklace between your little fingers, playing with it, almost unaware, in the same way you do Giraffe's tail. The shamrock meant to stand for how lucky we are to have you and the joined family of three to symbolize our forever love for you.

4. I love listening to the pitter-patter of your bare feet as you charge through the house.    That sound never gets old.

5.  I love your never ending curiosity and your need to explore all that is around you and your sense of adventure.  I hope your inquisitive nature never goes away.

6.  I love the silly games we play--especially at dinner time, and how you look at me with that mischievous grin, the sparkle in those blue eyes...you are a total rascal.


7.  I love listening to your chatter as you fall asleep or when you're waking up.  Even better when we hear through the monitor, you laugh to yourself in these moments, wondering what it was that has you so silly.


8.  I love how you enjoy checking yourself out in the full length mirror--impressed with your own dance moves.  Yep, you've got rhythm.  


9.  I love when I pick you up from daycare, your head pops up from whatever you're doing, and you immediately toddle over to me, arms outstretched, waiting to give me a hug and tell me about your day.  I've missed you too.


10.  I love that deep guttural belly laugh.


11. I love how if Gabby gives you a playful growl, you give her one right back.


12.  I love our early morning snuggles, when you're still a little bit sleepy and not quite ready to get dressed and start the day.


13.  I love that you can contentedly play by yourself (tho not all the time!).

14.  I love your bath time antics--your need for bubbles, splashing, and squirty toys.


15.  I love that you have two special friends who sit on your dresser, that you give extra kisses to before going to bed.  One is "Little Gabs", a stuffed rottie puppy that Grampie gave you on the day you were born; and a bear who wears overalls, a yellow scarf, and carries a suitcase, that you insist is Pooh but who I call McTavish.  You light up when you see them, and give them the gentlest of kisses before bed each night.


16. I love when you wake up happy and are giggling and playful as we get ready for 'school'.  It makes leaving you for the day just a tiny bit harder because I want to be the one that gets your good, playful mood.


17.  I love how on weekends, you insist on touching my mug of hot coffee, and in doing so, we are learning the difference between hot and cold.


18.  I love that the huge bear Daddy bought you, affectionately known as "Mrs. Bear", is your go-to when you're feeling out of sorts or in need of a snuggle. I love how you grasp her big paws and fold them around you like a hug, then give her a kiss on her shiny black nose.  


19.  I love that you steal Gabby's toys but then bring them back to her as a peace offering.  While her bone is not meant to be a teething treat for you, she does appreciate when you give it back to her.  


20.  I love your fearless attitude.  You took to the icy numbing waters of Maine like a true New England kid.  Just like momma.

21.  I love your growing love for books.  Finally, you are showing interest and the attention span for being read to.  I love that you finally know when a book is upside down, and turn it right side up.  I love that even though you make us read the same books over and over, you do it with a giggle and a snuggle.  I love our nightly reading routine.


22.  I love your dare devilish self. You have mastered climbing the stairs, the coffee table, and your toy chest.  You launch from the toy chest to the recliner, in a fit of giggles, yet adhere to my stern direction of 'feet first please!', only do it all over again.  I love when we ask "again?" you nod and grin as you once again attempt those daring feats.


23.  I love that you've never been a drooler, even during teething when it seemed like all your teeth were coming in at once.  


24.  I love that you're just a little bit sensitive.  Your tender toddler heart expresses itself in sweet and endearing ways.  
 
25.  I love that you like to learn your letters after a bath. 


26. I love being the recipient of your lovable hugs and kisses.

27. I love that somehow, at 17 months, you know how to whistle.  

28.  I love that you take Daddy's or my Iphone and hold it backwards to your ear, pretending to talk to your buds.  You've also somehow figured out the touch screen and have come very close to erasing some of my apps.  Rascal? Yep.


29.  I love how angelic you are when you're sleeping.  It makes how fast you're growing seem like you still have some baby left in you.

There will be many more as the years go by, I have no doubt.  For now, these are just some of my favorites.

Exploration Abounds.

Franklin inspects our stash.

Another banner weekend--Last weekend was apple picking and this one was chock full of entertaining goodness.  The weather was reminiscent of summer and we were determined to make the most of it.  Saturday was free Maine museum day, so with the skies starting out rainy, we had thought about taking G to the Children's Museum in Portland.  Before that, we hit up our town library's book sale.  I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a word nerd.  I love books.  I love book sales.  Yesterday and today we managed to score quite a new collection to add to our already bursting shelves. 

The Children's Musuem was chaos.  And awesome.  We started out in the 'toddler park', a special spot just for little tots to explore, touch, bump, invade, and enjoy.  Everything's padded, squishy, or bouncy.  Perfect for our budding inspector. 

Next up after the toddler park was the second floor of delight. There was everything and anything you can imagine---a touch tank, tidal pool, giant globe on a spinner, fire engine, organic grocery store, fake atm, a vet's office, sports car, milking cow, riding tractor, and much more.  It was a joy to the senses.  The moment we set G down on his cushy sneakered feet, he was off, exploring every nook and cranny, and sometimes getting cranky if we didn't linger long enough at a spot he was interested in. Like for instance, climbing into the tidal pool to splash around instead of merely touching it.  It was exhausting, sometimes frustrating, and utterly fun.

Dr. Boo.

Fire engine bell.

So many buttons to push.

Boo has the world at his fingertips

The last stop at the museum was the ball park.  A room filled with brightly colored plastic balls that roll on ramps, into pits, up through suction hoses, and all around the room.  It delighted the Gman. 

After our adventure at the museum, it was time to find some sustenance.  A giant cruise ship was docked in the harbor, which made finding a parking spot slightly difficult. Once found however, we were off to one of our favorite Portland grub spots---the Porthole.  This place has been a favorite of ours since we moved to Maine years ago.  If you can get past the briny smell of the fish market across the way and maneuver down the crumbling sidewalk to its entrance, you'll find yourself in a foodie paradise.  It's an old time diner feel with some fantastic food.  On a nice day you can eat on the deck overlooking some of the boats that go in and out of the bay. 

We opened with an app of mussels, drenched in a succulent garlicky white wine broth, and crusty bread to sop up those juices.  So good. G had a fruit cup which he was less than enthusiastic about, despite it containing all of his favorites.  To accompany our meals, we opted for a beer each--Allagash for Terry, Pumpkinhead for me.  Ah tis the season!

Pumpkinhead in a mason mug. Aww yeah.

If Saturday was fun, then Sunday was spectacular.  It was as if summer had returned to envelop us in her warm and fragrant embrace one last time before the cold hits for good.  We hit the book sale again, and this time, with Gabby in tow, traveled north an hour to the Rockland/Camden area. A couple years ago we discovered the most fantastic toy shop, Planet Toys, in Rockland.  This was pre-G.  Now it's more fun to have him along and see the toys from his perspective.  Last year we thought this shop had closed and moved to a less inspiring location in Camden.  To our delight, it reopened, tho half its size, but still as awesome as ever.  Immediately G gravitated toward Tigger, who he dragged around the store with him.  Let's just say Tigger is now resting comfortably in G's crib.

 After Rockland, we mosey on to Camden--one of the most picturesque villages in Maine and though I say this often, another favorite spot for Terry and I.  It has a quaint Main Street area, lined with shops to suit any interested tourist. First stop had to be lunch.  Our go-to place is the Camden Deli. It has fabulous sandwiches, and best of all, we get everything to go and sit in the outdoor amphitheater that is just across the way, overlooking the dock and all the boats in their splendid glory.  

 

Gabs enjoyed being off leash, her nose leaving no rock, leaf, or blade of grass unturned.  We ate our sandwiches, enjoyed watching G climb the stone steps to hand Gabby her ball, and then hit the library for some much needed a/c time.  I was pleasantly surprised that not only were they open on a Sunday but that they had the most wonderful toddler room. 

A very quick trip to the top of Mount Battie rounded out our day. I love seeing all the little islands that dot the coast and try to find where we had just been having lunch down below.  Soon however, both G's had reached their end point and it was time to head home.  

I always feel slightly melancholy at the end of a really busy weekend because while it was fun to have it so jam packed with exciting things, and such great quality time with my family, it also makes it go by terribly fast and soon enough the dread of impending Monday morning settles in. This was also the last full weekend we have Terry with us.  Next weekend he heads off to Alabama for a full week of training with his new venture, Books a Million.  The G's and I will be fending for ourselves and remembering these past few Saturdays when we've had these lovely weekends to make plans and enjoy to the fullest.