Adventures of Batman, Jr.

Yesterday was the Halloween Ho Ho at Mommy's office. (They call their weekly parties "Ho Ho's".) Daddy brought Dash, dressed as the Caped Crusader. Why, there he is now...leaping into action. Kapow! Thwack!

They held a costume contest. Daddy is pretty sure it was fixed.

The Dark Knight uses his superpowers to spot something edible. (Yes, Uncle Bozo, Daddy is aware that Batman does not possess any superpowers. Maybe they should stop calling him a superhero.)

Photos ©2011 Garrito

Double hyphen

Has Daddy mentioned an alarming trend he's noticed? Well, in two of Dash's regular weekly outings, there are two other kids who have the nerve to also be named Dashiell. Seriously? Is it suddenly the new Bob? Here's your stinkin' proof, from Storytime at the library today.

Our Dash is still the cutest.

Photos ©2011 Garrito

Solidly opposed

After a few failed and messy attempts to feed Dash solids (ie. mango, Cherrios) beyond his staple of jarred mush, Daddy is proud to say we have finally found a treat to his liking. Hmm, maybe "liking" is too strong a word. "Barely tolerable"or even "Fine, I'll taste it if you'll just leave me the @#$% alone" is probably more accurate. But the fact remains: Dash is now eating solid solids. Well, at least Baby Mum Mums. (Think slightly sweetened styrofoam.)

Photo ©2011 Garrito

Fall is in full swing

As is Dash.

Photo ©2011 Garrito

Our Little Pumpkin

Mommy and Daddy brought Dash to his first pumpkin patch on Saturday, a bit north on Sauvie Island, where he helped us pick out the perfect jack o'lantern-in-waiting.

Our little Halloween Hunt met a bit of a delay, as Dash first decided to catch some shuteye in his car seat the moment we arrived.

An hour later, we finally got out of the car, dined al fresco (the sweetest corn on the cob ever!), and hopped on the hay ride (Dash's first) that would take us directly to the pumpkins.

So many to choose from!

"This one looks ripe," says Mommy.

Daddy bags the perfect pumpkin in the wild. Here, with his trophy catch.

He even teaches Dash the proper etiquette for handling a gourd.

Dash inspect the goods and declares this pumpkin Hallo-wonderful.

All photos ©2011 Garrito

Up, up, and a way-out Mommy

Mommy and Daddy just got a new king-sized bed, more out of lack than luxury. Lack of space, that is. See, when you having a growing boy who co-sleeps with you, and he prefers to lay horizontally -- forming a giant "H" with his folks -- there are basically three options:

a) Daddy sleeps with half his body hanging over the side of the bed
b) Daddy gets exiled to the guest room
c) You get a bigger bed

Having exhausted a) and b) during Dash's first 11 month, it was finally time to invest in comfort. So the larger bed arrived Saturday morning. In the evening, Dash finally got to test his new mattress. From the second he got on, he transformed into The Flying Bambino, rolling and jumping and performing death-defying feats of acrobatics. And then it was time for his finale:

Dash stood without help.

He pulled up on Mommy and then let go, standing for what seemed like hours. It was seconds, OK, but like a cowboy riding a bull or Daddy riding a surfboard, five seconds can feel like an eternity. Almost as priceless as Dash's joy were Mommy's expressions.

All photos ©2011 Garrito

For Nancy

Dash would like to convey an apology for his day-late wish.