I arrived at school yesterday to pick Peter up,
expecting the usual bouncy, napless boy.
Here's what I found:

Who knew I could get so excited about a nap? Apparently all it took was a teacher suggesting Peter go to sleep in his sleeping bag "just like Daddy." I'll have to remember those three magic words...

It's been a busy few weeks around here with lots of home improvement projects. Nothing like hosting a party to make you get your act together, right? It was a shower for some dear friends expecting their first baby, offering a natural deadline before I take it easy for a few months to focus on our little trio. In the meantime, we've managed to have a few laughs around here.

E for effort?

Monkeyshining at a bouncy birthday party

Showing off the choo-choo sticker from his flu shot

You got me... I have no idea.

Visiting the fire trucks and earning his junior deputy badge

There aren't words.

Enjoying a backyard bouncehouse

Wait - who had more fun?

Well, folks, he's done it. Peter has now survived two full days in school! He has not yet napped in this new environment, but we're okay with that (temporarily) as long as there aren't any tears. All in due time... I arrived to pick him up today to reports of Peter's comedy routines and an infectious good mood. A far different child than they met four weeks ago. Woohoo!

On a different note, Hayes and I snuck away to New York last weekend for a delightful reminder of why we loved living there. The weather was perfect, we ate like royalty, we saw some shows and explored lots of different parts of the city. We literally ran into a college friend on the street corner, and we had a surprise visit with a dear friend from my high school. Our feet were glad to be back from the land of pedestrians, but we are thrilled to report that we still do, indeed, heart New York.

Hayes at the rooftop bar in our hotel

Yes, that's a live frog.
Long story - part of a fabulous scavenger hunt tour across downtown.

Biking across the Brooklyn Bridge

Surprise! A giant puff of cotton candy
- one of four desserts we ended up with at this particular dinner -
"for the baby," said the waiter. Far be it from me to disappoint....

Speaking of the bebe, all is well! Lots of movement, especially upon hearing Peter's and Hayes's voices. If my bump size is any indication, we've got another linebacker on the way. Ha!

We saw the butterbean today! I am just over 19 weeks and my ultrasound showed a perfectly healthy and active baby. (S)He had the hiccups off and on throughout the ultrasound, but we caught several glimpses of thumbsucking and one hand resting over the heart. So patriotic!

You'll see a profile shot below, as well as a footprint. This profile is more Hayes's side to me while I saw mostly my family in Peter's ultrasound profile. Note the squared-off shape of the foot. I suspect we may have another thick-footed child. I'll go ahead and alert the shoe shop...

Looking forward to meeting this little one!

Who needs a cookie jar when you've got a popcorn bowl!?

I can claim all the sweets I want as long as there's popcorn for my boys...

School Update.... A much better day! He played and built and painted and didn't cry nearly as much as the past few times. Here's a glimpse into his little character: his biggest smiles came when his teacher mentioned having to run to the kitchen to get the popsicles. He immediately (loudly) volunteered to accompany her and help her with pressing the elevator button. He had so much fun that he asked to go with her to put the leftovers back in the freezer. So what if he's buttering her up? Truthfully, I'm okay with him being the teacher's pet, especially after all he's put them through in the past week. :)

Oh, and he ate lunch with everyone else today, too. Big day!

Overheard/seen at the Bryant house this week:

• Upon opening a birthday gift of bath toys, Peter took a fist-sized motorcycle squeeze toy and tried to ride it. My reaction inspired him to try riding the like-sized train, car, fire-truck, etc.
• For those who have seen his "fold your arms and be patient" trick.... We have an old photo of young Hayes sitting in the grass with his arms wrapped around his knees. When I suggested to Peter that he be patient and wait for his breakfast to cook, he pointed to the picture, nodded, and said "Dada" before folding his arms and being patient.
• After hearing the baby's helicopter-like heartbeat, Peter saw a helicopter and said, "Baby."
• While school drop-off was easier Thursday, Peter's confidence didn't last very long. I got a call to pick him up before nap time because he'd been so upset all morning. Of course, he was all smiles when I arrived. Go figure. We'll try again Tuesday!

Peter was all smiles this morning before leaving for school. Well, all except for the brief few minutes in which he was wearing a belt. Didn't last long. We spotted a few school buses along the way and laughed that Mommy was his school bus. I was reminded of my mom referring to herself as a roadrunner, carting Geoffrey and me around town when we were little. And so the torch is passed....

Drop-off was smooth, albeit a tad difficult. We have had many discussions about Mommy leaving but always coming back, though the message wasn't resonating this morning. He cried as soon as I kissed him goodbye and I could still hear him down the hall until I left the building. After a few tears myself - only a few - I went about my business and had a very productive day. [Note: The flat tire previously mentioned was indeed repairable and I am now back on four new and fully functioning wheels.]

Upon my return to school to pick Peter up, I was greeted with smiles and all good news from his teachers. Apparently he wasn't so hungry during lunchtime when they kids all ate together. Instead, he waited until the other children were finished and getting quiet for rest time to let his teachers know he was finally ready for his lunch. My boy, the private diner. Ninety minutes and no nap later...

The Daily Masterpiece

(his classroom is built around a duck theme)

[He later explained to me that the white duck is Mama, the top duck is Dada, and the last duck is "Peta Bay," his version of his full name.]

The traditional congratulations-on-surviving-the-first-day-of-school sussy -

a beanbag for his big-boy room

No, he will not be receiving such pomp and circumstance every day of his academic career. Unless he deserves it. ;)

Pizza Night

Who's having more fun with the rocket launcher?

So proud of his new train table!

Given our fantastic birthday weekend last week, Peter was ready for some fun on this Saturday morning. We hit the ground running early, feeding ducks at the park and visiting a train while Daddy got his hair cut. We then made our way down to the Williamson County Fair to see the animals and hooked up with some friends. Suffice it to say, Peter is sleeping very soundly this afternoon, and Mommy's not far behind him!

Speaking of trains.... "choochoochoochoochoo!"

Boo!

Didn't have the heart to explain that this didn't steer the whole train...

Our first stop at the county fair - a front end loader. A bit too dirty in person!

Peter and Eva picking vegetables at the county fair

Peter, Hayes (not Daddy - a different Hayes), and Eva incognito

Snack time with Hayes

Petting the goats

So in the spirit of this most adventurous day, we attended a wonderful birthday party for one of Peter's friends and (eek!) classmates. We left with a very happy and frosting-filled little boy only to find this:

A brand new tire! Thanks to Hayes, we were out of there by the time AAA would arrive. Peter got to "drive" Mommy's car for a little while, and I got to duck into TJ Maxx for a spell. Everybody's happy!

In other news, we are working to get Peter into a big boy room so we've added a train table and a Peter sized dresser to entice him to spend more time in there. Since we changed to construction/truck themed sheets, he has not only fallen asleep in the bed but today he also began moving his pajamas to the new dresser. Voluntarily. One pair in each drawer.

Honestly, who wouldn't want to sleep in this bed?! :)

More to come as the room progresses...

Happy 2nd Birthday to Peter! We had Peter's friends over (and our own friends, too) to celebrate Peter's second birthday a couple of days early. The kids followed lily pads along the driveway, leading them to games in the backyard, including sprinklers and sand and tunnels and tents... We had a lovely morning with a nice breeze, thank goodness! The kids enjoyed birthday cake and ice cream on Peter's new picnic table (built with love by his Grampa), and then went on to build masterpieces of sand and challenge each other to see who could get the "wettest." Peter won. Even after changing into dry clothes. ;)