Just Mama and Theo

Well, I survived six days as a single mother while Matt visited his teacher in Anderson Valley, California. Many thanks to Grandpa Steve for extra daycare duty and good friends for some good meals and dog-walking. Theo was pretty good while Dada was away, mostly taking it easy on me with not too many tantrums. We both enjoyed a very kid-friendly barbecue on Sunday where Theo had a ball with well, a big red ball.

This morning, the three of us finally reunited over the breakfast table, Theo issued a celebratory proclamation he's said before when enjoying time all together, "mama dada baby!" He points to teach of us in turn, touching his chest when he says baby. This morning Matt said, "yes, you're the baby. Can you say your name, can you say Theo?" And he did! Theo said his own name for the very first time today, skipping over the "ee" sound a bit, but nonetheless, a sparkling rendition.

Little intellectual

Theo has taken to reading the paper over breakfast in the morning. He finds the articles interesting, but ultimately wonders what's the world coming to?

Theo goes to the beach Part 8: the best of the rest

What a good little vacation. My favorite part, other than the joy of watching Theo's first experience with the beach, was that Matt and I actually got to take relaxing walks on the beach. This time, however, Theo would stop every couple of minutes, squat down and dig, throw some sand around, some into the bucket, and then run on again in front of us. Ah.

Theo goes to the beach Part 7: a nice place to stay

Here's Theo all excited with his bucket and shovel on his way to the beach. The cute little place we stayed is in the background. A few family self-portraits and a sweet one of Theo and Dada.

Theo goes to the beach Part 6: Pants-free

Theo sat in a stream on accident the second day...and he is not a big fan of wet clothes, so we just took his pants off. He didn't seem to mind.

Theo goes to the beach Part 5: the aquarium

I can't begin to describe the enthusiasm with which Theo enjoyed the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Just picture Theo saying "feesh" (fish) and "stawr" (starfish) with as much zest as a 19-month-old can muster, and running and pointing with wide eyes for an hour and a half, all over the aquarium. Matt and I had a pretty darn good time, too!

Theo goes to the beach Part 4: rocks

The first evening at the beach, after dinner, Theo took his cars with him down to the beach. It was low tide so we went looking for anemones and starfish in the rocks. Theo was really into the rocks and saying "star" for starfish. He seemed to enjoy the challenge of navigating between the rocks using his "sidestep" technique. The more I learn about capricorns, the more I get it: they are stubborn and persistent, and seem to like a challenge!

Theo goes to the beach Part 3: bucket and shovel

I don't know who had more fun the first time Theo used his shovel and bucket, Theo or his Dada. Speaking of fun, we had so much fun in 48 hours at the beach...I've only hit on the first hour! More tomorrow...

Theo goes to the beach Part 2: whoa! wa!

Once Theo's feet were free to feel the sand between his toes he began to realize that the beach was awesome, in every sense of the word. In his words, "whoa", "wa!", and "beach!"