Mostly stuff about kids

I like that Casey has a name.  It makes her feel like a real person.  It also drives home that there really is a little person in there.  Not to start an abortion flame war, but you start to get a sense of where these people are coming from when you realize that at some point in your mind the transition was made from 'biological process' to 'a baby that hasn't shown up yet.'  Giving her a name really helps, and she already has a little personality, especially as we have another baby to compare her with.  She kicks a lot more than Tyler did, making Jessie certain that she's going to be a sporty little tomboy who wants to play hockey all day.  I've also felt what I'm sure is her head a few times.  She isn't head down yet, and occasionally she'll get into a position where you can tell that you're inches, just INCHES away from her tiny little baby skull.  You just want to kiss it so bad!  But you have to wait, she's still baking. 

Yesterday we went to a king cake party, a pretty low-key affair with some friends from work.  A lot of little kids there, too, so Tyler had plenty of friends to play with.  They had a play kitchen area, and Tyler was obsessed with it.  He spent a really long time standing there, making me cookies out of whatever material was conveniently nearby, and asking if anyone wanted french toast.  (I had made french toast for breakfast.  Tyler approves.)  Since Tyler was so interested in cooking, Jess convinced me that we should go off and get him a kitchen playset of his own.  I was hesitant, but Jess convinced me the same way about the train set, and he plays with that *all* the time, so we gave it a shot.  We ended up getting a pretty serious one, and it came in an Ikea-style flat pack, so I spent much of yesterday afternoon putting it together.  It's done today, and Tyler (with 'Mater's help) has been making Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches all morning. The process involves the microwave for some reason. 

This means, also, that anyone wondering what sort of things to get Tyler for his upcoming birthday could *totally* get him some play kitchen supplies.  Play pots and pans, play food, stuff like that.  There is a *ton* of that sort of stuff out there, and at the moment we've mostly stocked his kitchen with stuff from ours, which I'm probably going to need back at some point...

He also likes books, toy cars and especially toy construction equipment. 

Tyler still likes building things.  One of his favorite activities is to get his hammer, give me the wrench and go about 'fixing' the cat condo.  He insists that he is Bob the Builder and I am Pumpkin-Head for this process.  (Go watch the show if you haven't, it's on netflix.)  This requires me to talk in a silly voice.  It's important for immersion. 

I've broken 200 pounds a couple of times, but it's been tough to stay under.  Dieting is nearly impossible when you have a pregnant wife.  Still, though, it's impressive to realize I've lost a *Tyler* worth of weight at this point.  My walking desk has been getting a lot of work.  I can burn a surprising amount of calories while playing video games. 

Another cute Tyler story for you. Last weekend we got Tyler a haircut.  He was very well behaved.  When we got home we gave him a bath, and he complained that if we scrubbed to hard, we would wash off his haircut. 

Few more weeks till the most important event of the year.  ReaperCon!  Oh, and the baby shows up around then too, but whatever, PAINTING!  I'm almost done with one of my entries, a Golem guarding a door with broken weapons scattered all around him.  I owe some pictures of him once he's done, he's looking pretty great.  I even have time to start another entry, too.  Jess is the best wife in the world to let me go to this, though she is flying in some help for the weekend.  Also, I'm only a few hours away by car, so if the unexpected does happen, I can be back home really quickly.  I'm very excited for the convention, though.  I signed up for all my classes, and have been frequenting the forum to reconnect with old friends. 

Tyler is starting to learn to read.  He's been sounding things out, asking about words, and making letters (mostly T for Tyler) out of sticks.  It's very exciting, mostly because with any luck he'll be able to read books to Casey in the back seat just like we do for him now.  They start to learn how to write (more like 'assemble') letters in the next grade, where he'll be moving very soon, so he's pretty much right on time, I think.  Good for him. 

-N