My sweet potato turned two yesterday.
He has no idea what a birthday is, but he knows to yell “Happy Day!” whenever he sees a pointy paper hat.
His day started on a down note, as we reported to his 2-year-old checkup at 8:15. Two vaccinations and a blood test were on the schedule, and all things considered I think he took it well. The blood draw took a minute and the whole time he sobbed into my shoulder, alternating between “No thank you!” and “I’m sorry!” The “I’m sorry” came, I think, in response to the nurse saying it first. But it still made me queasy. The nurse could be heard muttering, “Oh god, I can’t wait until I get my master’s and don’t have to do this anymore.” He was pitiful indeed. I am a little bit excited about the test though. In addition to testing his cholesterol (They start that at two — good grief) they will test his lead level. I fully expect it to have dropped dramatically from our horrifying one-year-old results and I can’t wait to hear it confirmed.
Other than the needle sticks, the appointment went just fine. He’s 25 pounds and he’s 33 (I think) inches tall. A peanut. But a smart peanut. His language is well ahead, he knows his numbers, colors and shapes (including funky stuff like trapezoid) and he can even do some simple counting like telling us how many stickers he has. Normally I get a little impatient with “My kid’s so smart” stuff. But it’s his birthday, so I’ll indulge just a little. Most importantly, he continues to crack me up. The other day I said, “I’m making you saag paneer for lunch” and he said, “Mommy, what are you talking about?” in this utterly exasperated way that just laid me out.
Last night we took him to Market Square, which is the little restaurant and funky shop spot downtown.
We found an air vent in the sidewalk.
And I let him take some photos with my camera.
Then we got a table on the patio of one of our favorite restaurants and had a vanilla and blueberry cupcake for dessert.
Grammy gave Alden his own watch.
His expression tells the story of how mommy and daddy aren’t so good with the fancy wrapped presents, as he had no idea what that was. When she handed it to him and said, “What is this?” He said, “Trash!” and our every entreaty to open it got the same response. “Need trashcan.”
What was exciting to him (other than the food) was that the hostess would stand right by our table when she yelled for parties waiting out on the square. He was enthusiastic about helping her and spent part of the night with his hands cupped around his mouth shouting “Betty! Betty! Lady is waiting for you!” until Betty and her friends were safely seated and drinking their wine.
He even capped off the night with a little love for little brother.
Note the restraining hand of Grammy, keeping him from loving too much.
Tomorrow the progressive celebration continues. We’re going to eat lunch in the park and then swing and slide and swing and slide. Maybe if I keep the second birthday party rolling he will consent to pause here for a little while, rather than growing up so fast.
jaysaint 
Posted by cinnabari on October 11, 2009 at 3:47 am
Happy Birthday Alden!
(Wow. Two years already? It seems like I just read the announcement that you were pregnant and living in the Condo of Woe in NYC…!)
Posted by cinnabari on October 11, 2009 at 3:47 am
Happy Birthday Alden!
(Wow. Two years already? It seems like I just read the announcement that you were pregnant and living in the Condo of Woe in NYC…!)
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:01 am
I feel the same way!
Posted by travellight on October 11, 2009 at 3:51 am
This post made me laugh out loud. That’s one funny kid.
Posted by travellight on October 11, 2009 at 3:51 am
This post made me laugh out loud. That’s one funny kid.
Posted by travellight on October 11, 2009 at 4:12 am
Apropos of nothing written here, I’m looking for something in my own Livejournal, and I see that today, the 11th, is four years since we friended each other. So happy Columbus livejournal birthday!
Posted by travellight on October 11, 2009 at 4:12 am
Apropos of nothing written here, I’m looking for something in my own Livejournal, and I see that today, the 11th, is four years since we friended each other. So happy Columbus livejournal birthday!
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:02 am
He kills me. I’m so lucky he’s so funny.
Wow, four years. On the other hand, I feel like I’ve known you forever.
Posted by travellight on October 12, 2009 at 3:04 am
Yeah, you’ll be saying that more and more the older he gets and the mouthier he gets.
Posted by froofie on October 11, 2009 at 4:40 am
I mean this as a compliment: He looks like Steve Perry from Journey!
Also, my nephew who is 18 months weighs 33lbs. Zoinks…big boy!
Posted by froofie on October 11, 2009 at 4:40 am
I mean this as a compliment: He looks like Steve Perry from Journey!
Also, my nephew who is 18 months weighs 33lbs. Zoinks…big boy!
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:04 am
Alden does? I need to pull up some Google images. I definitely take it as compliment. I believe Steve Perry is having a revival as we type.
33 pounds! Amazing. I told my family about him over dinner.
Posted by lemon_says on October 11, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Damn, he’s cute and funny!
Posted by lemon_says on October 11, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Damn, he’s cute and funny!
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:05 am
Thank you! Having a kid is such hard work, I’m so relieved that he keeps it entertaining.
Posted by galbinus_caeli on October 11, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Saag paneer and blueberry cupcakes? Want to adopt me?
Posted by galbinus_caeli on October 11, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Saag paneer and blueberry cupcakes? Want to adopt me?
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:08 am
The more the merrier! Come on by.
Posted by geobabe1 on October 11, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I love that kid!
Posted by geobabe1 on October 11, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I love that kid!
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:08 am
Me too!
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:01 am
I feel the same way!
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:02 am
He kills me. I’m so lucky he’s so funny.
Wow, four years. On the other hand, I feel like I’ve known you forever.
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:04 am
Alden does? I need to pull up some Google images. I definitely take it as compliment. I believe Steve Perry is having a revival as we type.
33 pounds! Amazing. I told my family about him over dinner.
Posted by travellight on October 12, 2009 at 3:04 am
Yeah, you’ll be saying that more and more the older he gets and the mouthier he gets.
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:05 am
Thank you! Having a kid is such hard work, I’m so relieved that he keeps it entertaining.
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:08 am
The more the merrier! Come on by.
Posted by jaysaint on October 12, 2009 at 3:08 am
Me too!