It's official. Dash is a walker.
Interestingly, this post comes exactly 6 months to the day when Daddy announced that the boy wonder first stood up by himself. Crazy -- he's been standing for nearly half his short life! Just when it seemed like he'd be doing his patented crawl/scoot through grade school, Dash suddenly decided in the last week that a new form of locomotion might be interesting. Granted, he uses Mommy's or Daddy's finger like a drunk uses a handrail. But make no mistake: our little monkey is now bipedal.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
The bash for Dash
Yesterday we threw a first birthday party for Dash. It was a surprise party only in the sense that damn near everything comes as a surprise to a one-year old. About 20 people came to usher in Dash's toddlerhood (plus Uncle Bozo and Aunt Dianne on Skype).
The day started with Daddy, Granny Pokey, and Dash making a Voodoo Donuts run first thing in the morning. The line, as always, was out the door and down the block.
During the party, Daddy was unfortunately too busy playing host to take many photos. Dash received many amazing gifts, and truly enjoyed himself the entire time.
Good thing Mommy asked Daddy to take a picture of the cake.
Mommy helped Dash blow out the candle.
After most of the guests left, Dash got to spend some quality time with Cousin Ronan.
It was brought to our attention that Dash has apparently developed a reputation as the kid who pulls everyone's hair. (One friend commented that her small son asked, on the way to the party, "Is Dash gonna pull my hair again?") As a frequent victim, Daddy is in no position to dispel such accusations. Here's Dash, caught red-handed.
The day started with Daddy, Granny Pokey, and Dash making a Voodoo Donuts run first thing in the morning. The line, as always, was out the door and down the block.
During the party, Daddy was unfortunately too busy playing host to take many photos. Dash received many amazing gifts, and truly enjoyed himself the entire time.
Good thing Mommy asked Daddy to take a picture of the cake.
Mommy helped Dash blow out the candle.
After most of the guests left, Dash got to spend some quality time with Cousin Ronan.
It was brought to our attention that Dash has apparently developed a reputation as the kid who pulls everyone's hair. (One friend commented that her small son asked, on the way to the party, "Is Dash gonna pull my hair again?") As a frequent victim, Daddy is in no position to dispel such accusations. Here's Dash, caught red-handed.
All photos ©2011 Garrito
Presenting...His High-ness
Daddy brought Dash in for his one-year exam this morning. After slipping to the 97th percentile in height at his nine-month exam, my son the skyscraper is once again in Gulliver territory. Surprisingly, while he added 2 inches, the lanky lad gained only one pound. Doc said that's normal.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A (birth)day in the life
Dash turned one today, and Daddy was there to document the whole thing. It started, as usual, at 7:45.
After a tasty oatmeal breakfast, Dash enjoyed some "happy couch" time.
Speaking of "time," later in the morning was Storytime at the library.
Then came lunch -- mango puree, mmmm -- followed by, you guessed it, more couch jumping.
Dash's birthday (well, any day) wouldn't be complete without a romp in the nursery.
Of course, all play and no nap makes Dash a very tired boy. As has become customary this last month, Dash sleeps the first hour in his crib, Dash wakes up crying, Daddy comes running to comfort Dash, Daddy tries to put Dash back to sleep in his crib, Dash cries again, Daddy picks him up again, and Dash ends up spending the second hour of his nap on his papa-pedic mattress.
Rested, Dash dragged Daddy out for a run.
Dash even posed in Lane 1 to commemorate his birthday.
The celebration wouldn't be complete without Mommy getting in on the birthday action. After dinner we capped the day with cupcakes in the Pearl District. Mommy and Daddy already got their wish -- now it's Dash's turn.
After a tasty oatmeal breakfast, Dash enjoyed some "happy couch" time.
Speaking of "time," later in the morning was Storytime at the library.
Then came lunch -- mango puree, mmmm -- followed by, you guessed it, more couch jumping.
Dash's birthday (well, any day) wouldn't be complete without a romp in the nursery.
Of course, all play and no nap makes Dash a very tired boy. As has become customary this last month, Dash sleeps the first hour in his crib, Dash wakes up crying, Daddy comes running to comfort Dash, Daddy tries to put Dash back to sleep in his crib, Dash cries again, Daddy picks him up again, and Dash ends up spending the second hour of his nap on his papa-pedic mattress.
Rested, Dash dragged Daddy out for a run.
Dash even posed in Lane 1 to commemorate his birthday.
The celebration wouldn't be complete without Mommy getting in on the birthday action. After dinner we capped the day with cupcakes in the Pearl District. Mommy and Daddy already got their wish -- now it's Dash's turn.
All photos ©2011 Garrito
Thursday, October 27, 2011
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.)
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.
Our Dash is still the cutest.
Photos ©2011 Garrito
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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
Monday, October 10, 2011
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.
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
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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.
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
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Exit Mommy, Enter Grandma
Mommy took a few well-deserved days of R&R last weekend. What's a Daddy to do? Call for reinforcements, that's what. Grandma Laurie to the rescue! Amazingly, she didn't mind leaving 248° Tucson to spend some face time with her grandson.
Dash was all a-twitter waiting for her at the airport.
After one last all-night nursing binge, Dash joined Daddy and Grandma Laurie for Mommy's send-off lunch at McMenamin's Edgefield Lodge.
Mommy sneaked off, leaving Dash to do his spot-on impersonation of Steve Martin as Ruprect in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: "Not mother?!"
All too quickly came the moment Daddy dreaded: his first night alone in bed with his son. You know, the tyke who treats his mother like a 24-hour diner. It wasn't so bad. It only took an exhausting hour-and-a-half to get Dash to zonk out. And then he only woke up screaming 4 or 5 times. Those were two of the best hours of sleep in Daddy's life. Unexpectedly, Dash didn't want to drink a drop of milk all night. Daddy wasn't sure whether to be insulted or relieved.
The highlight of the first Mommy-free day was a trip to the Chinese Gardens with Grandma Laurie.
Dash was still a little suspect of this strange woman who seemed to be making herself awfully comfortable in HIS house.
He moved in for a closer inspection. Maybe a bit too close.
Satisfied that she posed little threat, Dash rewarded Grandma Laurie the rest of her trip with 5-minute intervals of mirth before beginning a "Daddy, come save me" tantrum.
Later, that night, a bona fide miracle occurred. Dash woke only once. No screaming. No stirring. Daddy slept like a baby. Hell, Dash slept like a baby.
The next morning, Dash, Daddy, and Grandma Laurie were all invited to a delicious brunch (that frittata...wow!) at friends Eric and Harper's, in honor of mutual friend, Kristy's (see Switzerland post), visit from London. Dash was fully bedazzled by daughters Edie and Irene. The two cutie-pies made it their mission to keep him entertained.
Grandma Laurie was so pleased to see how much Dash enjoyed their toy sit-in car that she made it her mission to get him one.
That afternoon, a very relaxed Mommy returned from her oyveycation. Amazing what a little massage and a lotta sleep can do.
Grandma Laurie insisted the following day that she'd waited far too many years (more like decades) to take a grandchild clothes shopping. So...off to the downtown Pioneer Place Mall we all went. We basically cleaned out the Baby Gap.
After dinner, we headed down to 23rd Street for some gelato and a stroll around Nob Hill.
Daddy and Grandma Laurie took Dash shopping the next day for his car. With the kindly help of another grandma at Toys R Us, we found the perfect toddler vehicle. Later, we had dinner at Meriwether's, the site of Mommy and Daddy's wedding reception almost exactly two years ago.
Dash concluded that the tastiest thing wasn't on the menu and proceeded to chow down on Grandma Laurie's eyeglasses.
Before leaving the next morning, Grandma Laurie took Dash for a spin in his brand new car. Thanks, Grandma Laurie!
Dash was all a-twitter waiting for her at the airport.
After one last all-night nursing binge, Dash joined Daddy and Grandma Laurie for Mommy's send-off lunch at McMenamin's Edgefield Lodge.
Mommy sneaked off, leaving Dash to do his spot-on impersonation of Steve Martin as Ruprect in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: "Not mother?!"
All too quickly came the moment Daddy dreaded: his first night alone in bed with his son. You know, the tyke who treats his mother like a 24-hour diner. It wasn't so bad. It only took an exhausting hour-and-a-half to get Dash to zonk out. And then he only woke up screaming 4 or 5 times. Those were two of the best hours of sleep in Daddy's life. Unexpectedly, Dash didn't want to drink a drop of milk all night. Daddy wasn't sure whether to be insulted or relieved.
The highlight of the first Mommy-free day was a trip to the Chinese Gardens with Grandma Laurie.
Dash was still a little suspect of this strange woman who seemed to be making herself awfully comfortable in HIS house.
He moved in for a closer inspection. Maybe a bit too close.
Satisfied that she posed little threat, Dash rewarded Grandma Laurie the rest of her trip with 5-minute intervals of mirth before beginning a "Daddy, come save me" tantrum.
Later, that night, a bona fide miracle occurred. Dash woke only once. No screaming. No stirring. Daddy slept like a baby. Hell, Dash slept like a baby.
The next morning, Dash, Daddy, and Grandma Laurie were all invited to a delicious brunch (that frittata...wow!) at friends Eric and Harper's, in honor of mutual friend, Kristy's (see Switzerland post), visit from London. Dash was fully bedazzled by daughters Edie and Irene. The two cutie-pies made it their mission to keep him entertained.
Grandma Laurie was so pleased to see how much Dash enjoyed their toy sit-in car that she made it her mission to get him one.
That afternoon, a very relaxed Mommy returned from her oyveycation. Amazing what a little massage and a lotta sleep can do.
Grandma Laurie insisted the following day that she'd waited far too many years (more like decades) to take a grandchild clothes shopping. So...off to the downtown Pioneer Place Mall we all went. We basically cleaned out the Baby Gap.
After dinner, we headed down to 23rd Street for some gelato and a stroll around Nob Hill.
Daddy and Grandma Laurie took Dash shopping the next day for his car. With the kindly help of another grandma at Toys R Us, we found the perfect toddler vehicle. Later, we had dinner at Meriwether's, the site of Mommy and Daddy's wedding reception almost exactly two years ago.
Dash concluded that the tastiest thing wasn't on the menu and proceeded to chow down on Grandma Laurie's eyeglasses.
Before leaving the next morning, Grandma Laurie took Dash for a spin in his brand new car. Thanks, Grandma Laurie!
All photos ©2011 Garrito
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