Bodie has walked! Last night he decided to just stand up and take 5 steps across the office floor. Sara and I we're both pretty stunned, even though we've seen him take one or two steps before. It was the first time he just stood right up in place and sauntered a good distance, with purpose! The look on his face was priceless. It was a mixture of joy and bewilderment, as if his legs had involuntarily carried him across the room like a magic carpet ride.
At the sound of our loud cheering and clapping, Gavin and Garrett came flying into the room to see what all the hubbub was about. Gavin is always extremely proud of his littlest brother and showered him with kisses, while Garrett immediately looked for something unique he could do in order for him to get the same applause. He grabbed his little Backyardigans karaoke machine and said "Now I will listen to a song and you can clap for me!" As if that were his greatest talent, just listening. Not singing along with it or dancing, just listening to it! Garrett's a funny kid. He doesn't know it but his greatest talent so far is his ability to make everybody laugh and brighten up any room.
Bodie's greatest talent is definitely his ability to hold his own against his big brothers. He's a real scrappy little 11 month old. If they try to take a toy away from him, he doesn't passively let them have it, he holds on tight with both hands and a menacing glare. When they do pry it from his tiny fingers, he doesn't sit and cry for mama, no sir. He lets out a determined grunt, puts his head down and crawls after the villain as fast as his little hands and knees can carry him. I love his personality, but I'm afraid he's going to be pretty headstrong.
It's been said that three is the new two. Well, Garrett is three. His birthday was celebrated with a trip to Chucky Cheese (his choice) and then a weekend at Grammy and Papa Geno's house (our choice). We had a second party for him there with all the family and a little backyard cookout. Sara made him an awesome "Super Why" cake, his favorite spelling hero from the PBS show of same name. He absorbed the celebrations with all of the humble modesty you would expect from a three year old.
All of this fanfare, focusing on his new "three-ness", has made a strange impact on our sweet little middle baby. He seems to be making a transformation of sorts, right before our eyes. He constantly mentions that he's "three now", and he is suddenly open to trying new things he wouldn't dare mess with before. Out of the blue, he's going from baby to "big boy". He still loves his little trike and always thought of the bigwheel as something only Gavin could handle, but not anymore. It turns out his feet do reach the pedals and he can make it go. Before, when I'd prod him into getting on it, he would only quarrel with me and insist that, in his words "I'm too wittle, I'm 2!" He wouldn't even try to pedal, he would just sit and scowl. Now he can suddenly zip around the driveway on the bigwheel with an uncharacteristic reckless abandon. He is even starting to try to ride Gavin's new bike! Here's a picture of him getting ready to take Bodie on a thrill ride. They didn't get very far that time! His feet don't make the pedals go all the way around yet on that bike.
He used to be such a cautious and careful little dude, now he's a real tough guy, ready to try anything dangerous. He's standing in his chair when we're not looking, he goes flying out the back door chasing after squirrels, and he's climbing anything and everything. It's like a switch got flipped in his head that says "Now I'm three, I'm invincible!" I don't like it, but it is pretty cute. If this trend keeps up, in a couple years I'll be giving him the keys to my truck and sending him to the store for us.
In contrast, when the baby is getting too much attention, he still tries to sweep in and steal the show. Here he is messing with Bodie while we were trying to do a photo shoot for Snugfits. He gets that little baby voice and coos at him, always patting him on the head in a display of superiority. It's hilarious, although sometimes the baby is none too pleased. It's all part of growing up, I guess!
Bodie is getting 5 teeth all at once! His whole top grill is coming in. At first, just the two canines on top were showing, and he looked like a little Dracula. So cool! We were going to call him "The Count". We could've gotten him a little black cape and done some great shots for a Halloween Snugfits promotion, but its too late now. These teeth are just busting out all over.
Needless to say, he's pretty ticked off about the whole thing. He's usually a great little happy bug, but not these days. He doesn't want anything to do with food unless it's cold and squishy, like pineapple chunks or cantaloupe. Plus, he gets a fever along with it, about every two or three days. When Gavin and Garrett were teething, they got mild fevers with every new tooth, so that isn't new to us. The only thing that we found really helped with Bodie's brothers' teeth were teething tablets. They're sold at Walgreens, and can help ease the pain a little, but I don't think anything can make a kid content when he has five teeth coming in all at once. That oragel stuff is a waste of money. It just makes them drool even worse. We tried that stuff with Gavin, and I remember he just had this confused/angry look on his face. Like "Why can't I feel my mouth?" Oh yes - and popsicles help too, if you want a sticky but somewhat satisfied baby. I don't think there is any perfect answer for helping your baby through this harrowing experience.
Bodie is also grinding his new teeth. A lot. It is a godawful sound. He really seems to enjoy it so we just let it go on. He's trying out his new teeth, I guess. It probably feels pretty good! He makes the funniest faces when he's chomping. He looks like a little Popeye! I tried to catch some good pictures of this yesterday when it was warm outside. He loves to be outside, too. Probably because it's so big, and there's no ceiling. When he's outside, he just looks around at everything like he's witnessing a miracle. Its so awesome to watch. Taking him outside to roll around on a blanket is great distraction from the teething pain.
To ask Bodie, I think he would tell you he just wants to be held, and to chomp on my finger. Youch! His mouth is like a pair of vice grips sometimes. I give him a wet washcloth to bite while I hold him, but it doesn't last long. He takes it in his hand, shakes it, bites it, throws it down in disgust, and bites me. Oh well. This too shall pass.
