Nesting

Dear LittleDude,

You have quite the morning routine going lately. You wake up (a little early for my taste, but I'm sure that will pass...eventually), insist on a little in-room playtime with me (and, if they cooperate, the dog and cat), and finally make your way into the living to watch Chuggington. After Chuggington, you go into the kitchen, get a bag of microwavable popcorn out of the pantry, and ask me to make it for breakfast. (This, by the way, is usually your first breakfast. You also seem to be in the habit of having either cereal or waffles with Daddy when he gets home from PT.) While I'm making it and getting your milk, you snuggle up on the couch, tuck yourself into my quilt, and watch your program of choice. And that's exactly where you stay while you eat breakfast: tucked into your little nest on the couch, watching George or Doc McStuffins while eating popcorn. It's very cute.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Car Washes & Cookies

Dear LittleDude,

Today, Curious George built one of your favorite things in the world: a car wash. And apparently, it put you in the mood to wash your own toy cars because you asked to take a bath, dubbed it a "car wash" and spent 2 hours washing all your bathtub cars. When you got out, you wanted a cookie, and I told you that you could have one as soon as we got you dried off and got your jammies on. So, we went into your room, got up on the changing table, toweled you off some more, and started putting your jammies on. But I guess I just wasn't quick enough because about halfway through the jammies, you looked at me and exclaimed, "Hurry up, Mama! My cookie's gettin' stale!" And so I did.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Smart Little Dinosaur

Dear LittleDude,

Last night's story time was the best story time ever. Lately, you've had quite a list of bedroom stories. Before I rock you, I have to read "Dinosaur Food" (a.k.a. "How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?"), "Dinosaur Goodnight" ("How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?"), "Dinosaur Cat" ("How Do Dinosaurs Take Care of Cats?"), and "Cereal" (a Cheerio play book). When I rock you, I have to recite all those dinosaur stories and add "Dinosaur Cookie" ("How Do Dinosaurs Eat Cookies?"), "Dinosaur Ho-Ho" ("Dinosaur Christmas"), "Pajama Time" (correct title), and "Goodnight, Gorilla" (also correct title). (It's a good thing I have a good memory!)

Usually, you just curl up in my lap and play with my fingers or rub my cheek with your hand. Sometimes, you try to tickle me. Other times, you're content to look at the stars on your ceiling and just listen. But last night? Last night you recited every word of "Dinosaur Ho-Ho," "Dinosaur Food," and "Pajama Time" right along with me, looking up at me and smiling and giggling the entire time. You're such a smart little guy!

I love you, little dinosaur.
Love, Mommy

Daddy's Shoes

Dear LittleDude,

Hiding Daddy's PT shoes will not make him have to stay home from work. Neither will hiding Daddy's boots (in case you're thinking of trying it). Now, will you please tell me where you hid them?

I love you.

Love, Mommy

Monkey It Is?

Dear LittleDude,

After all the crying yesterday and the night before, now you want the Monkey sheet? Well, okay...

I love you.
Love, Mommy

Stars It Is

Dear LittleDude,

If you're scared to sleep on the Monkey sheet instead of the Stars sheet, it's easier to say "No Monkey!" or "I'm scared!" or pretty much anything than screaming and crying like you're having the worst nightmares ever all night long. So, let's make a deal. After I finish my third cup of coffee, we will search the internet to see if we can find another Stars sheet exactly like your favorite. Then, even if we can't find one, I promise I will try to remember to never ever ever wash your sheets so close to bedtime or naptime that you have to sleep on anything else, but you have to promise to be brave if something like a mid-sleep illness, washing machine malfunction, or faulty Mommy memory results in a Monkey sheet being on your bed.

I love you.
Love, Mommy

It's the Ickey House Ubhouse!

Dear LittleDude,

This is one of the moments I've been waiting for. Ever since we started planning to take you and Lulu to Disney World (which, granted, was only two weeks ago) this summer, the one thing I've sort been sad about is that you haven't been all that familiar with anything Disney related outside of "Tangled" (your favorite movie). You've always been more of a PBS Kids kid, counting "Curious George," "Dinosaur Train," "Thomas," and "Sid the Science Kid," among your favorites. But then last week, you discovered "Chuggington," and I discovered that it's part of the Disney Junior programming line-up. That led to "Mickey's Clubhouse," which led to "Jake & the Neverland Pirates," which led to the Disney animated classics. Today, you spent all morning watching "Ickey House," and now you're completely mesmerized by "Um-Mo" (Dumbo). Now I'm sure you will love this vacation and experience a little magic in your own Toby way.

I love you.
Love, Mommy