A Few of Blake's Favorite Things...

Blake recently had his birthday and got TONS of new things.  In fact, he got so many fun things for his birthday that he literally couldn’t sleep.  He woke up screaming the day after his birthday at 1:30 AM.  It’s not unusual for Blake to wake up, but it’s very unusual for him to scream for an hour.  The longer he cried the more I started to think something was seriously wrong.  Finally I turn the lights on, convince myself that his lips are swollen, and decide I need to take him to the ER.  We throw some clothes on him, bring him downstairs (where his toys are), and he INSTANTLY STOPS.  This little punk wanted to play!  Dude…it’s now 2:30 AM…GO TO SLEEP!  Actually, I don’t care if you sleep, please be quiet so I can sleep.

Keith saved me and played with Blake while I went back to bed.  Isn’t he great!? So what did Blake get that he loved so much he literally couldn’t wait to play?  I’ll share some of Blake’s favorite things…

1.     The Radio Flyer Ranger Wagon with Seat.  Blake LOVES his wagon.  From the very first time we strapped him in he thought he was important.  He immediately began waving (at no one) and demanded to be pulled around our house.  I would have brought him outside right away if winter hadn’t decided to come back.  The seat belt is perfect to keep him strapped in and we’ve already used it to walk down the block to the farm to buy some herbs for our garden.  For an entire week Blake and our cat, Jame-O, sat together in the wagon every morning.  More about Jame-O another time – Blake loves him, I love him, he hates me, and Keith hates him.

2. The Little Tikes Swing.  Blake can’t get enough of his swing.  He actually laughs just walking over to the swing.  Keith mowed the lawn and I trimmed up our shrubs while Blake was in his swing.  Every now and then we’d give him a push and he just sat there laughing.  That’s parenting at it’s best.  He could spend hours in his swing and I think it is adorable hanging off a tree in our yard.

3. This Teepee from Land of Nod.  Just kidding, he actually doesn’t really care about its existence.  Jame-o loves it, and I think it’s basically the cutest thing ever.  Keith got so excited when it arrived at our house that he immediately put it together.  We brought Blake downstairs on his birthday and he pointed at it, did his signature excited grunt, and ran over to it.  Then he mostly stopped caring it was there.  But it looks super cute in my living room and I think that one day he will love it.  At least I hope so.  Or I’ll brainwash him into loving it…whatever.  Don't mind the patched in floor.  It will probably be like that for years.  

4. The Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair.  We love it more than Blake and I fit into it perfectly so I kind of want one.  He does grab books and climb into his chair and it’s just super adorable.  Blake feels important and knows it’s his.  Sometimes Jame-O naps in there…and sometimes Blake walks over and pushes him out.  It’s funny watching his little personality develop.  He’s so sweet and he will share anything with anyone, but when he wants something he wants it.

5. A bat and ball.  Blake and I showed up to Keith’s baseball game on his birthday and the parents were super thoughtful and had a gift for Blake.  It was perfect because the bat is just the right size and they are both soft.  Every night we have a little baseball game.  Keith helps Blake hit, I pitch, and Jame-o plays the outfield.  It’s perfect.  At the end of the day we are tired and don’t feel like moving and for Jame-o it’s basically a huge game of fetch.  He picks the ball up in his mouth and drops it next to me.  If it weren’t for the fact that Jame-O literally attacks me and I look like I get beaten, he’d be perfect. (He may have some other poor qualities too, but if I can overlook scars all over my body I can overlook him knocking things off my counters).

Of course, when Blake isn't playing with his awesome new toys he can frequently be found playing with my pot holders, tupperware, plastic spoons, or his all time favorite - plastic water bottles.