Dawson's phone convo

I called Kenton at work, with Dawson on my lap. Then Dawson wanted to talk on the phone. Here's the conversation... K: Hi Dawson! (x3)
K: Say "Hi Daddy"
D: Hi Daddy
K: How are you?
D: Yep!
K: Did you have fun today?
D: Yep!
K: Bye Bye (x3)
K: Say "Bye Bye Daddy"
D: More Daddy!!! (as he holds my hand and therefore the phone tightly to his ear)
K: Bye Bye
D: More Daddy!!! (x 2) (still holding TIGHT!!)

I somewhat forcefully take the phone and say goodbye as Dawson throws a mild fit... off to bed ;)

Dawson loves the chicks

When Wyatt was a baby/toddler, he demanded a very gradual, gentle introduction to the chickies in our barn. Dawson on the other hand has loved them since he met them (aside from once when I had to bring him in with me to find Kenton, and he was too young and noise sensitive). We have fresh chicks right now, so I brought him in for a visit while Kenton and Wyatt did their chores, and as soon as we were in, Dawson let go of my hand and ran straight for them. He was running after them, saying and signing "chickie", as they ran away. Once he got close enough, he grabbed one by the neck, and the poor thing was just dangling. I saved the chick, and held him properly so Dawson could pet him. He's so gentle and nice :) But he kept asking to hold him and he'd grab it by the neck again :( I tried a couple times to put one in his hands properly, but the feet tickled him, so he'd just laugh and say no. He certainly has no fear for such a tiny boy though!

My baby's growing up...

I can't believe how much Dawson has changed and grown up in the last month... In addition to the 75+ signs he uses, he's starting to use more and more spoken words every day. Most of them are only understandable in context, or when used with the corresponding sign, but they're words! He's also becoming much clearer about what he wants, how he wants it, and how he expects things to be. And, as an early 2nd birthday gift to us (months early, in fact), when these demands aren't met, he has various STRONG (but, unfortunately amusing) ways of showing his displeasure. Tantrums are now a regular event in this household again... (not to imply that Wyatt had completely grown out of them either. They're just less frequent.) And then there's his latest obsession with dropping everything possible over the railing and watching them tumble down until they crash at the bottom. Fortunately nothing's been broken yet.

But, along with the trials, come the treasures. He has FINALLY started saying Mama as more than just a whiny complaint... he's generous with the hugs, cuddles and sloppy kisses... he's extremely helpful and loves to do mini-chores for us, such as throwing garbage away, bringing me dirty dishes, putting the shoes back where he got them from (as bringing them out to us is another of his obsessions)... and watching him idolize Wyatt and learn so much from him, by means of copying, is so rewarding. Two are so much more fun!

I've defintely needed more babyproofing with him than I did with Wyatt, and I'm afraid he'll be a bit of an escape artist, but I'm looking forward to where this new phase of our journey takes us.