How do we raise you to appreciate having things and yet not be guilty of that ‘only-child’ syndrome also referred to as being spoiled.

I’m starting to bring home gifts for Christmas. I can’t help it. At the store you saw a food set, a whole bunch of pieces of food that would be perfect for your kitchen. You have some faded, gnawed-on hand-me-downs, but not a full set of anything. When you spotted this at the store you went nuts. $10. So easy.

Or is it? Another day we were at ToysRUs (note to self, shop alone there next time.) I wanted to put you on a tricycle to see what kind would fit you for Christmas or your birthday. You sat on a tricycle for about 10 seconds and then It Happened… you saw the JEEPS section. Monster Jeep, Barbie Jeep, Jumbo Jeep… these are perfect Taite-sized cars. Mommy didn’t see the No Kids On Board sign. Once in, it was all decided in your mind. This is THE tricycle for you. Except these vehicles are about the size of a Smart Car and cost upwards of $400. Nope, not a chance… you can continue to sit in the drivers seat of our Mariner Hybrid and press as many buttons as you want.

This weekend we had the Isbells over, and you, Abigail and Katie all played on your ‘elevator’ and with the dolls while we adults ate. It was our first ‘adult dinner’ with you all happily playing independently while we ate.

We went ‘over the hill’ to Aptos today, to the Red Apple Cafe with ‘Nana’ and ‘Papa’ (whom you sometimes refer to as Papoo). You loved going up and down the elevator. Over and over.

Check out this weeks photos.

Less than two months from now and you’ll be TWO.

I’m always amazed still at how much you grasp. You understand so much more than you’re able to say. We were singing today “If you’re happy and you know it…”, and I’d make up silly things for you to do. Touch your nose, put your hands on your head, click your heels together, kiss your mommy, blink your eyes. Each one you did, without hesitation… laughing along.

We were playing hide and seek one day this week. This is one of your very most favorite things to do in the world. You hide in the same spot. Correction: one of two same spots. Either by the door or in the nook by the piano. You wait ever so patiently, not a peep out of you. When discovered, you smile a big wide grin and laugh, before saying “more” and then bringing your hands up to cover your eyes. I skittered down the hall to our bedroom, and hid laying down on the far side of the bed. When you found me you thought this was a pretty clever hiding spot, and quickly plunked yourself down to lie quietly beside me… watching toward the door to see when someone comes to find us. The only problem was that nobody else was home to come find us. I couldn’t stop laughing… but explained to you that we’d come hide here again when daddy got home. Several hours later, as you were eating dinner, you heard daddy pull into the garage. You jumped down from your chair to run down the hall and get in hiding position.

Another most favorite thing is going to the park… “park park park park park” you squeal in the back seat of the car as we approach one, especially going by one that you recognize. You’ve started interacting now with other kids, particularly older girls. This little girl, Addie, became a quick friend at Hogue park.. you two were holding hands by the time we left. When we leave somewhere and I suggest to wave goodbye, you promptly get up to go, and wave indiscriminately. At people, at dogs, at the park as a whole…

Today at Vasona Park you played with Nolan and shared your Cheddar Bunnies and kiss with him! You Two!

Your molars are coming in, so quite a bit of discomfort, especially at night. I just tucked you in again and gave you a facecloth from the freezer to chew on and some Tylenol… which I don’t like to administer but it eases the pain when all else has been tried.

Photo Gallery

Hand-in-hand with Nolan at Gilroy Gardens today. Favorite rides are still the carousel and the train.

You got the swine flu vaccine this week. A lot of fear and paranoia amongst mommy friends over this H1N1 flu.

“123-jump like me, 456-pick up sticks, 789 -do the monkeyshine. 10. Cluck like a hen.” You mimic me and we laugh so much.

I bought you your first hairbrush and comb set. While I was drying your hair, your got up, turned, wagged your finger and trotted off. A few moments later you returned, your own little pink hand mirror held out for me to use.

You surprised me at the park this week. You go down the big swirly slide all by yourself. No fear.

Ruff, ruff, ruff you say when you see a dog. “Roooar” you say when you brush teeth, mouth wide open. Cat – you roll out your hand and arm for a cat to rub against.

I asked you “Should we get a dog for Christmas?” You nod, the quick, up and down twice expression with that knowing look that says you understand. “What would we call it?” I ask. “Apple” you exclaim. (Your Grandpa Butt’s dog is named Apple!)

We made glue yesterday and cut up papers and felt and tissue and made your first collage. Today we made playdoh and you jumped down from your ‘elevator’ (Learning Tower in the kitchen) to fetch some candles. Green and yellow playdoh. It worked out much better than the bread I tried to make yesterday. Which wasn’t much good unless you’re a hockey player and needed a puck. It was my first attempt. I’ll get better.

“Trickar” you were saying on the way home, along with “More”. During the day today we were practicing saying “boo”, and you’d make big eyes (but saying it kind of how one says “moo”). After tonight, you know what Hallowe’en is all about.

It didn’t take you long to figure out the candy part. Politely you’d make your way to the haunted doorways of Tait Avenue, and upon invitation, reach a hand into the bowl of loot. Without tire. There were houses decorated in cobwebs and strobelights, graveyards, witches, goblins even a Ghostbusters house. Nothing stopped Taite on Tait. You lived up to your name. We had fun with Grandma, Superhero Nolan, Devilish Heather and Kryponite Dave. Fiona had to go home early, but was dressed as a cute cupcake.

We came home, went to a few houses on our street. Then when trick or treaters came to our door, you did the job of handing out candies. You weren’t even scared by the older kids with the gruesome masks. Dutifully, you just placed a candybar in each bag.

You collapsed in bed exhausted from Halloween trickars.

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BOO!