Nothing is safe

The thud that followed his victorious climb, out of the crib at 12 months old, did not stop the triumphant boy. The bookshelves have been manageable - just leave the bottom four shelves empty (or filled with "toys"). The rocking chair has been manageable - instead of depending on his superb ability to find equilibrium, the chair is now edged into a corner of the room. But now that Rivs has managed to conquer just about every chair in the house, and is learning to push the chairs to the location he most desires. . . nothing is safe. Goodbye important documents, adieu favorite photographs, bon voyage computer. Hello vanquisher Rivers of Colorado Springs.

I know, I know. I should not praise him for climbing that chair. No I should not. Look what a mess it's going to get me into! But goodness, did you hear the effort he put into it? That was a regular workout! Respectful of all my praise. 

The Next Day. . . getting pretty smooth, quite fast, and very daring. 

Grandma & Grandpa come to visit

Grandma Julie and Grandpa Bob came to visit me. To begin our big vacation, Canberra and I took them exploring through Garden of the Gods. .  . and I let Grandpa push me.

Mom filled up the pool so Grandpa could teach me how to swim. 

We played dress up. Grandpa let me wear his hat. And Grandma gave me my first baseball bat. 

We went to the fair. I wanted to stay up to watch the fireworks. But Grandma said she was too sleepy.

We had lots of grill-outs. Despite dad's new picnic table, the rain kept coming. So we had to eat inside. :( 

Grandma & Grandpa brought me lots and lots of new toys. I taught dad how to play the bongos.

I read Grandma & Grandpa lots and lots of books. Mostly I read them my new favorite book (Heads) - Thanks Grandma & Grandpa! 

Grandpa gave me his watch.  That way I always know what time it is in Kentucky. 

When I saw Grandma's suit case packed, I knew I didn't want them to leave. So I jumped in - but I couldn't forget my faithful dog! 

Monster

Our sweet little boy has become a little monster. He runs around and terrorizes everything he can get his hands on (and with his sweet climbing skills, let me just say, that's a lot). He dumps Canberra's water out of her bowls, pulls all his books off the book shelf, bangs furniture with his Louisville slugger (miniature baseball bat from Grandma and Grandpa Matthews), drops toys into the toilet, breaks one of our only glass tumbler (the one he fished out of the dishwasher), and relocates all the shoes in the house. I firmly believe, the number one prerequisite for happy parenthood is a fabulous sense of humor.

Well, to put it simply, that fabulous sense of humor was, for the first time, challenged today (mind you, I said challenged). As Ben and I showed off our beautiful (and first) tomato, forming nicely on our pampered plant, we turn our backs, momentarily, only to turn around and find our little monster, munching happily on his treasure. Oh, that little Stinker! Despite the initial disappointment, I gotta' say I love our Stinker. . .  good or bad. The way he ran up to me, yelling in excitement, arms raised high above his head, as he proudly presented his freshly picked tomato . . . yep, that kid can only melt my heart.