Baker's Dozen

The last couple of weeks, we've been a) super busy at work, b) stricken by various colds and viruses, and c) trying to socialize in our rare free/healthy time, so I've got a backlog of pictures to post. (Everyone's recovered now, although work continues to monopolize all aspects of our lives.)

Tor just lifts my spirits when I'm around him. I miss him all day. He does so many fun things, like point to his foot if you say, "Where's your foot?" or point to his head if you say, "Donde esta la cabeza?" (They taught him that one at daycare.) He'll make a "quack" sound if you ask him what the duckie says, and a "bow wow" if you inquire about the doggie. He asks for crackers by name, and identifies other food items he wants by pointing and whining (we're working on that). He drinks both breast milk and whole milk from a sippy cup and is working on his spoon dexterity. The world is by turns hilarious and intriguing to him and he wants to explore the whole thing. It is so fun.

To the pictures. We had a great time attending Lars's hockey game and going out for schnitzel and beer afterward. We had a less great time that night, as schnitzel does not agree with Tor.

Slap a beard on him and call him Daddy

"Allow me to moisten your straw
while I fill my pants"

Tor has been enamored of magnets ever since we visited my Uncle Erik and Aunt Heather's house over the holidays, and while they won't stick on our stainless steel fridge, our doors happen to be made of metal.

That little climber used to have a partner
and a rope

At twenty pounds, Tor is just the right size for magic carpet rides.

The only cleaning our kitchen floor sees these days

On Sunday, January 29, we held an open house so friends could drop by and belatedly celebrate Tor's one-year birthday with us. Lars and I hung streamers and balloons and made a bunch of food: dips, veggies, chicken satay, meatballs, red velvet cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies. A lot of folks showed up and many brought children, which just made Tor's day. He melted down around 5:30, but lasted for three solid hours.

Nuttifying the chocolate-covered bacon...
oh yeah, Lars made chocolate-covered bacon

The spread

Tor, months zero through twelve

Proffering the duckie (with, from L to R, fellow youths Evan, 4, Anastasia, 12 months, and Conor, 4.5 months)

The house looked great. Tor looked great.
We didn't leave much time for personal hygiene.

A few folks generously brought Tor gifts even though we set it up as a giftless party. Since one can't open gifts if not everyone brought a gift (people might feel bad/guilty/miffed), we opened them later as a family. Thank-you notes to follow!

Getting passionate about Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing

Dumping a load

Madeline got Tor an undulating wooden alligator on a string. (Below, he tests the friction of diverse dragging surfaces.) Maybe now we can walk Dendro and the alligator together, since all the snow is melting.