Cookie, Please

Like most kids Noah loves cookies. His favorites are these oreo-like cookies that we get at Trader Joe's, called Joe-O's. His addiction seems to be curbed by flavor selection. If we get vanilla he'll be content to have just one cookie. If we get the chocolate kind he wants more than one. A lot more than one.

The funniest thing about his cookie habit is the way that he asks for a cookie. He clearly knows that cookies are special treats and really pulls out all the stops to get one of these goodies. He'll come up to you with fidgety head and hands, avoiding initial eye contact. Once he's got your attention he'll look up at you with his head sideways. And then, he'll give you the look. Big eyes open wide with just a touch of a grin as if he knows that what he's asking for requires 100% charm. Ever so shyly, ever so quietly you'll then hear him ask, "cookie, please". Often times it's so quiet you have to ask him to repeat it and he will; with even more shifting and bigger eyes and then a flat out smile. He knows he's got you at that point. I mean, really, how can you say no to that?

Spiderman

Noah will occasionally come down to the office and ask to play with one of the pez dispensers from Daddy's collection. Recently he discovered the Spiderman pez and thinks its quite cool. Friday afternoon he was playing with Spiderman and saying, "walk, walk, walk" as he marched Spiderman around. Grandmother explained that Spiderman couldn't really walk because he doesn't have legs. She suggested that perhaps he could hop instead. I guess this made sense to Noah because he then exclaimed, "Spider Bunny!" and has been calling him this ever since.

Where Daddy Go?

Noah is very concerned about his family's whereabouts. He is constantly asking where so and so went--"Where Mommy go?", "Where Daddy go?", "Where Gramma go?" etc. Oftentimes, he asks this when the person he is looking for is standing right next to him. When you point out this fact to him he will he just laugh.

Today Grandma was here for her usual Friday play date. After lunch Jeremy had to go into the office for a few hours so of course Noah asked, "where Daddy go?". Grandma explained that he had to go to work. Noah then told Grandma that Daddy went to the "store to get cookies". Ya, sure kid. Wishful thinking.

Noah's 2nd Birthday

After going round and round about what to do for Noah's 2nd birthday we settled on a small family affair. Wanda did a little party at daycare with cupcakes and singing so we figured he got a "friend" party already. The loot at his 1st birthday was insane so we didn't want a repeat of that (50+ people?!) given that this was the first year that he was going to really understand what this whole birthday thing was all about. As it was, even with a small group he got a ridiculous amount of presents.

Noah's all about the choo choo so clearly we had our theme for the day. We started out with a brisk morning ride on the steam train in Tilden park. Noah had developed a wee bit of a cough so we kept it short with just one ride. Amazingly he was okay with this. While he napped we put together his cake (a train), decorated the place (with trains) and put out his new train board in anticipation of all of the train related goodies he was going to get. Instead of buying him a train table or board Jeremy and I made a train board for him. We made it larger than store bought ones and even painted the island of Sodor on it for him. (Wikipedia is amazing!). When Noah woke up he was excited to see everything and even said, "wow" when he saw his cake (which made it all worthwhile for me). We spent the afternoon eating cake (he had 2 slices), opening presents and building track. He loved everything and mostly remembered to say, "tank ew". It was fun to see him get the hang of the whole present thing. He started out so tentative, but was pro by the end of the day tearing into presents quickly and excitedly.

After bath time he asked for "more birthday?" and cried when he realized it was all over.

UPDATE: Potty and Big Boy Bed

Potty Time
I really can't believe that potty training is this easy so I'm prepared for some eventual backlash. But, so far, it's been a huge success. Noah has been peepeeing in the potty every day for 15 days--even when he goes to Wanda's house. On average he pees in the potty three times a day. I'm sure he would go more if we remembered to ask him more. But, when we do ask more often than not he'll scream, "Sticker!" and run off towards the bathroom. The train stickers are extremely motivating. He actually likes to sit on the potty and hold them so he can pick out his chart sticker and his hand sticker. We moved him to pull up pants yesterday and that seems to really make him feel much more independent.

Bedtime
Noah has slept in his bed for a week now so we're guessing it's safe to remove the crib. The bed has been a big hit and he really likes to read in bed more than anything. Now, along with night-night reading time we have to climb in bed with him each morning to read a few books before starting the day. I'm not sure where he got this idea, but I like it. Extra cuddle time is always fun.

Choices

Apparently, it's hard to commit to eating just one thing sometimes. Tonight Noah wanted pasta for dinner. It's his favorite so that wasn't a big surprise. After taking a few bites he then asked for applesauce. A few bites after that he wanted crackers. Shortly after that he wanted raisins and finally he asked for rice. I thought it was a pretty disgusting meal totally devoid of vegetables, but he seemed quite happy about his motley selection.