Day 1560

Lizard went to her first Nooner party. I feel like it set a pretty good precedent, although she might think cash registers play a more prominent role than is realistic.

In other news, who knew making turkey stock would make the house smell like farts?

Day 1559

I survived the RTL machine and Lizard started using indefinite articles and voluntarily ate turkey. 

Winning!

Day 1558

The Lizard ate pizza of her own volition. It's official: pizza parties every day forever!

Day 1557

Reintroducing our monster to oragel after she skipped her nap to chew her socks. I asked her if her mouth felt funny, and she said "Ha ha! Funny!".

Day 1556

Lizard has started adding connector words to her speech. She's now able to say that the polar bear she saw st the zoo in October was swimming IN water!

Watching her learn new things and get better at stuff is a pretty mind-blowing experience. I'm so proud of her, and so fascinated by her constantly evolving little brain!

Day 1555

Lizard has discovered the simple joy of sitting by a window staring out into a winter wonderland.

Day 1554

Lizard seems to have caught on to the excitement of Christmas and Santa and presents; now we just hope the mania subsides someday soon.

Day 1553

Luckily Lizard seems to think presents are exciting no matter who is opening them... although if they come near her, she feels pretty strongly that she ought to do the honours.

Day 1552

Lizard came to our office today and charmed everyone by being tiny, pigtailed, and adorable.
Saying thank you in her teeny little voice probably didn't hurt either.

Day 1551

The Lizard learned to say "no naps!". She's much more excited about that than I am.

Day 1550

I feel sorry for the poor kiddo cause her teeth are obviously really hurting her... but I'm sure enjoying the snuggles...

Day 1549

Lizard meets cheese sauce, and is well pleased.

She's also discovered the word "favourite".

Day 1548

This is probably the last year that we can buy presents for Lizard while she is standing right beside us. Oh sweet obliviousness, you've been so delightful...

Day 1547

You know the tide has turned when your hungry kid asks to have a bath before dinner.

Day 1546

Family Christmas party with Lizard. She opted to go for quiet, charming, and refusing to eat anything.

Day 1545

Our Lizard: says the spaghetti is yucky and then immediately puts some in her mouth.

Day 1544

'Tis the season for trolling your coworkers with poppycock.

Also, OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK OINK

Day 1543

Surprise! Daddy is home!! And he brought you a Woink!!

Day 1542

You know you might have to take your kid outside despite the cold when she puts on her own hat and boots, then puts hat and mitts on a stuffy and buckles them into a "car seat"...

Day 1541

First day off with Lizard and without Husband in a loooooong time. I think my day was as sweet and fun as his travel day was long and terrible. Much love to Husband. I'm snuggling your pillow.

Day 1540

Finally re-downloading a pile of music onto my new phone. Lizard seems to really like Tchaikovsky... and I am really enjoying her trying to say composer names.

Day 1539

It's official: tomorrow we get our Crippas tree!

Day 1538

Lizard had her first flu shot and took it like a boss.

Later, she didn't nap like a boss.

Later still, she went on an emotional roller coaster like a boss.

Hopefully she'll be a little less bossy tomorrow...

Day 1537

Lizard demonstrated the ability to handle books gently at the bookstore, but she does have the unfortunate habit of trying to reshelve all the books....

Day 1536

It's fun asking Lizard to repeat long words or phrases to see what she comes up with. Yesterday "diversity committee" was "diaper city mitty" and today it's "diaper city commie". Delightful.

Day 1535

The Lizard has figured out that ibuprofen makes her emerging molars feel better; today when we got home and came inside, all she wanted was "Medicine! Sleep time!"

Also, extreme shovelling (with more tomorrow that I don't want to think about).

Also wik, Husband and I decided which Supreme Court Justice is The Cute One. Hint: beard now included.

Day 1534

The Lizard seems to be a big fan of birthdays. Now we just have to try to convince her they only happen once a year...

Day 1533

<Daddy farts loudly>
Lizard: POOOOOPING! BUM CHANGE!!!

Day 1532

It was a big day for Lizard.

She learned to say 'nother' so she can ask for 'nother cookie' or 'nother book'.

She learned to say "I'm two."

She learned to say "I'm old."

She opened presents by herself.

She ate birthday cake... which she identified as birthday cake.

She ate Yorkie Pudding "toast".

And she had her first teeny tiny haircut.

Day 1531

The Lizard's excitement over her reunion with Piggy continues unabated.

Day 1530

Our Lizard isn't always super affectionate, but she does love holding hands. Tonight she insisted on holding her daddy's hand while she finished eating dinner.

Day 1529 (belated)

If you can't be there for bedtime, at least sometimes you can get a "lub you!"

Day 1528

Probably her mother's daughter: Lizard got very preoccupied sitting on the floor flipping through a recipe book.

Day 1527

Do you get bonus points or demerits for teaching your kid to say "Why I oughta"?

Day 1526

I know the memories are getting foggy, but it seems suspiciously like The Colonel is an even bigger wriggle monster than his/her big sister.

Day 1525

Little kids keep introducing you to new things that are hilariously adorable. Like jumping.

Day 1524

FTEs?! MORE LIKE WTFs, AMIRITE?!?!

Day 1523

The puppy is desperate not to lose his Most Desperate Dog title. He keeps trying to provide more evidence and we keep trying to convince him he has a lifetime achievement award.

Day 1522

Sometimes you just have to laugh and take pictures of the melodrama...

Day 1521

Lizzy is such an independent woman that she takes care of both thank you and you're welcome.

Day 1520

The Lizard peed in the potty at daycare. I foresee a lot of time hanging out in the bathroom in our near future.

Day 1519

The Lizard is getting even more independent: she now kisses her own booboos better.

Day 1518

Bought tiny little skis and tiny little boots. Now we just have to wait for it to finally snow.

Day 1517

New activity for outside: sit and drink milk while looking up for helicopters.

Day 1516

The indescribable joy of getting a package in the mail you weren't expecting...

Day 1515

The Lizard won't admit when she is pooping or has pooped anymore - unless of course you're in the middle of changing her, at which point she will gladly repeat 'Pooping! Pooping!', just to keep you on your toes. She'll also sometimes ask for a bum change... in which case either get the hose out or run and hide.

Day 1514

Two things:

1. We now have proof that we have a second active baby on the way.

2. We forgot one of the cardinal rules: food on a parent's plate is always better than the same food on a kid's plate.

Day 1513

Today was the Lizard's saddest goodbye: she was not ready to see grandma go.

Day 1512

Lizard, meet leaf pile. Leaf pile, meet Lizard.

Day 1511

Fed Lizard pancake balls (which she ate! On purpose! Enthusiastically!) and taught her to say aebelskiver ("skeever" is definitely close enough, right?).

Day 1510

Some days you just gotta galavant.

Day 1509

The puppy was wildly excited about Grandna's arrival; we'll see how Lizard feels tomorrow!

Day 1508

When the world seems bleak, look to the little ones. They have a cure for what ails you.

Day 1507

I am extra thankful to live in Canada today.

Day 1506

The Lizard seems to have come out the other side of vacation and daylight savings relatively unscathed; she's only slightly more bananas than usual.

Day 1505

Home! We survived vacation!

Day 1504

Take your twenty three month old to Denny's; teach her to say poison.

Day 1503

Today the Lizard got to pat an elephant. In her mind, she also talked to one on the phone.

Day 1502

Lizard had her first plane ride today. She has also now been in more cockpits than I have.

Day 1501

Tis the eve of Lizard's first plane trip. EEEEEK!

Day 1500

I watched while my daughter very carefully and happily fed my husband soup. She's training to be a big sister! 

Bonus: it meant that she eventually tried the soup herself...

Day 1499

Lizard went trick or treating for the first time, and managed to survive going to three whole houses. 

Despite not really knowing what candy is, she was still pretty excited about all the candy in the house. Especially the ones that make noise when you shake them.

Day 1498

The Lizard learned how to whisper. My guess is she continues to use shrieking instead.

Day 1497

If you try to teach your kid to say GO!, don't expect them to say it at helpful times.

Day 1496

Lizard might be more excited about walks than the puppy.

Day 1495

Me: Love you!

Lizard: Dokey dokey okey dokey!

Day 1494

I found the hat that never existed!

Day 1493

Lizard shushed is this morning because her piggy was sleeping and we were apparently talking too loudly. 

Of course, she then sat on piggy and started loudly talking about her book.

And then shushed us some more.

Day 1492

Our kid seems to be naturally orderly. We got home today and she immediately sat down and took her boots off and put them away, then started taking off her coat... all without prompting.

Day 1491

Lizard just levelled up her eating skills! She can now stab food with a fork!

Related: her mom just noticed she was using a fork exactly like she uses spoons...

Day 1490

The Lizard was so excited to see herself in the mirror wearing a bunny costume, she cracked out a new word: "Yook! Yook! Bunny!"

Day 1489

After Lizard tripped and bonked her head, she asked for ice. I'm not sure if that means she's really smart, or if she just hits her head a lot...

Day 1488

That thing where you get overwhelmed by how much you love your kid...

Day 1487

Sock Puppet Day was a phenomenal idea. Many many thanks for all the cheerful sock puppet pictures!!

Days 1485 & 1486

The Lizard continues to tell us the story of the polar bear in the water with the fish swimming.

She also continues to eat new food at daycare, proving that she knows she can get away with stuff at home. Seriously though... pasta?! With SAUCE?!?!

Day 1484

We took Lizard to the zoo so she could see the dinosaur exhibit and she developed an obsession with polar bears.

Day 1483

Some parents might feel bad about telling their kid that their Yoda hat is actually a dinosaur hat so that they'll stop crying and wear it. But I happen to think my Lizard makes a very cute biceratops.

Day 1482

If we stay up too late, the puppy will just cry at us until we give up and go to bed.

Day 1481

The Lizard is getting some kind of understanding of time. She knows that tomorrow (mormow!) means later.

Day 1480

Concentration tongue appeared!

Day 1479

When the Lizard is low on naps, she gets high on feelings.

And she wants to read books herself sometimes.

Day 1478

It's Facebook official: we're having another baby! Codename: The Colonel.

Now we just wait until it's kicking official...

Day 1477

Husband learned to appreciate the third little pig.

Lizard learned to eat soup at home, more or less voluntarily.

Day 1476

If you ever have the choice to eat lamb and risotto or something other than lamb and risotto, choose the lamb and risotto. I am thankful for lamb and risotto.

Day 1475

One week at a new daycare, and the Lizard is already eating new foods at home. My crackers and cheese are no longer safe!

Day 1474

Parent translation: it's a thing. Turns out you get very good at understanding your toddler's dialect, even if other people don't (for some odd reason).

Day 1473

That thing where it turns out that not only was switching daycares a good financial decision, but it seems to be good for your kid too...

Day 1472

The Lizard is demonstrating an aptitude for puzzles that doesn't seem to require a whole lot of practice.

Day 1471

First full day at the new daycare. She cried and the beginning, gave big hugs at the end, and it sounds like she did well in the middle. Ate lunch (Chicken! Carrots! Potatoes!), fell asleep promptly, and learned new words. 

Good omens.

Day 1470

The Lizard doesn't believe in saying long words. Except the awesome ones like dinosaur. 

But otherwise she can't decide whether she should say the only the first part of the word or only the last part.

Peekaboo = Peeka!

Flamingo = Mingo!

Granted, she does make them sound pretty fun...

Day 1469

Just because your kid has become adept at walking, doesn't mean they're finished banging their heads into stuff.

Day 1468

Two momentous events:

The Lizard had her last day at her first daycare and

Husband and I have now been talking for over a decade.

Day 1467

Lizard learned the words "cheeks" and "name". 'Cheeks' she obviously understands; she points to both cheeks and grins. 'Name' might take a little more refining; she asked me what her milk's name is.

Day 1466

Lizard: (throws horse) Oopsie! Bonk!

Parents: (unsuccessfully trying to smother laughter)

Lizard: Funny! Funny!

Day 1465

Teaching the Lizard to shake hands and say "pleased to meet you" was an excellent idea. The lessons are coming along swimmingly.

Day 1464

The Lizard started at her new daycare, our fence got taken down, and our yard became a storage facility for fence building supplies.

Days 1462 and 1463

• The Lizard starts eating pasta (neat).

• The Lizard stubs her toe and kisses it better herself.

• The Lizard doesn't want to admit there is anything in Mommy's belly other than more belly.

• We learn the Lizard can do three puzzles at once.

Day 1461

You give our kid bubbles and a broom and she doesn't know what to play with. We made a weirdo!

Happy anniversary, Husband!

Day 1460

Apparently the Lizard can identify the sound of a horse galloping.

Day 1459

The day your kid is her normal happy, healthy self again is a good, good day.

Day 1458

Lizard is preparing for a career as a wedding photographer's assistant. "Kiss!"

Day 1457

Nowadays Lizard doesn't cry if it takes a while to fall asleep. She just chatters merrily to herself a bunch, and repeats "lie down". I'm not sure if she's talking to herself or her piggy, but I am pretty sure she learned that one at daycare.

Day 1456

The dog wasn't doing what I told him too, so the Lizard told me "say please".

Day 1455

Today the Lizard went to the emergency room for the first time. An excellent time to feel thankful for our cheerful, easygoing baby - especially since it was well past her bedtime.

Day 1454

The Lizard's verdict on watching Cinderella, her first full length movie: needs more dinosaurs.

Day 1453

Sick kid is, once again, the worst.

Day 1452

My favourite way to get Lizard to talk in front of people is to ask her what's on her hat.

She just can't resist saying dinosaurs.

Day 1451

In which the Lizard demonstrates her patience; and also, apparently, an irreverent streak.

Day 1450

The Lizard is wise before her years; she's already figured out that you should curl up in bed and read books on cool drizzly days.

Day 1449

The less glamorous aspect of lumberjackery: cutting the branches into smaller branches so you can dispose of them. 

Day 1448

The hazards of keeping your baby up past naptime: they turn into a not entirely conscious sleep monster. But you might get some cuddles.

Day 1447

According to Lizard, the only thing that's more fun than sweeping is sweeping with a buddy.

Day 1446

Today at daycare, Lizard comforted a friend who was crying.

Day 1445

Nothing wakes you up quite like the dog making retching noises.

Day 1444

Thank goodness for husbands.

Day 1443

Shed demolished. No parents, puppies or babies were harmed. 

Unless you count ignoring the puppy.

Day 1442

How to totally screw up your kid's sleep schedule:

Step 1: Go to IKEA.

Day 1441 (belated)

Why *not* demolish a shed with a toddler and a puppy around?

Day 1440

"Read book. Pease!"

Day 1439

How to tell your kid has a bunch of strawberry in her blonde: put her in a group with all her blonde cousins.

Day 1438

I kinda wish that I went to bed at the same time as the Lizard. Having a cuddle during storytime then a hug, a kiss, and a song with my little one seems like a pretty great way to end the day.

Day 1437

Dear Lizard,

I just want to sit on the floor and read books too. You're breaking my heart a little when you say 'peeeeeeease', while I'm trying to get ready to go to work. But don't stop.

Love,

Mummy

Day 1436

Working on three syllable words. First up (of course): dinosaur.

Also learning the persuasive power of 'please'.

Day 1435

Our habit of saying "There she is!" instead of peekaboo has had an interesting effect. If Lizzy is wondering where someone is, she does the "I don't know" pose (hands up, elbows down) and says "sheis?".

Husband was in the other room and I asked where he was.

<pose> Sheis?

Day 1434

Taught the kid to share her goldfish. I feel like a huge success.

Day 1433

The Lizard has grown feelings, and they are all sad/angry ones. <deep breath>

Day 1432

If synchronized facebooking were a sport, Mr Keener and I would be training to qualify for the Olympics. 

Day 1431

The Lizard discovered sweeping today. I only got the broom away from her because she was hungry enough to say "hungee" and I managed to lure her away with the promise of food.

Day 1430

The good news about starting your day with a plumbing emergency is that your day can only get better!

Day 1429

Watching a kid learn is marvellous. The Lizard now knows all the animal noises in one of her books, and it fills me with delight.

Day 1428

I am reminded of why I should call my family more often. For several reasons.

Day 1427

Is it too late to learn to ride, shoot, and fence so I can be a (modern) pentathlete?

Day 1426

Bonus snuggles on sick day. 

Day 1425

It's hard to anything other than snuggle your baby when she's sick.

Day 1424

Kids will pick up the most innocuous little actions, are try their best to imitate them. Apparently shoving Kleenex down the front of your diaper is a reasonable approximation of putting it in your pocket.

Day 1423

Never underestimate the ability of strangers on the Internet to annoy the crap out of you.

Day 1422

That thing where your doctor is sad when you don't bring your baby with you to appointments...

Day 1421

Apparently all Lizard needs to cure her shyness is a pool. Preferably one with all of the toys in it. 

Day 1420

Seeing Lizard talking in front of a new person is a wonderful thing.

Day 1419

Remembering exhaustion.

Day 1418

Pro tip: you don't ingratiate yourself with parents by continuing to chat well past the point where the kiddo is getting overtired and super hungry.

Day 1417

Of course Lizard picks the week where we're interviewing with other daycares to start saying daycare workers' names...

Day 1416

"I love you!"

"Yup!"

Day 1415

The alarm company called us because our fire alarm went off. Apparently the firefighters didn't notice our dog when they were tromping through the house because he was so quiet. Little dog, if ever there is a time that I want you to make a ruckus, it's when there are firefighters in the house. 

Day 1414

I hadn't realized how much time you spend as a parent with your heart bursting with pride.

Day 1413

The Lizard has taken up saying "hello!". Only, with her pronunciation, it's an enthusiastic "heyo!", and it is truly marvellous.

Day 1412

An active imagination and an analytical mind are a dangerous combination.

Day 1411

Test run with the potty: no poops, but apparently it's fun to sit on!

Day 1410

The Lizard has learned that we will give her a temporary reprieve from tooth brushing if she gives us big hugs.

Day 1409

Two things:

1. Your kid snuggling up to you and saying 'happy!'

2. "Can you say cucumber?"

    "Cubby-cubby-cub-cubby-cub!"

Day 1408

On the fourth night of being cut off, the Lizard seems to be getting used to the idea.

Which is nice, cause it means I didn't have to spend a good chunk of the evening feeling like a terrible, no good, evil mommy.

Day 1407

My kid now has enough hair that I can turn her into a triceratops.

Also, she can play adjacent to another kid with her toys without being a total jerkwad! Parenting success!

Day 1406

Today we discovered that our most effective tool for getting yardwork done is the sandbox.

Day 1405

Deciding to cut the baby off and actually cutting the baby off are two very different propositions.

Day 1404

How to keep your kid mostly out of trouble at the grocery store: find a tiny shopping cart for her to push around. 

You'll have to ignore the unrelentingly joyous screeching.

Day 1403

Apparently it is possible to snuggle and read with the baby in the evening too. 

Snuggling: not just for mornings anymore!

Day 1402

I actually left the house without the baby this evening, and went beyond the reach of the baby monitor, for one of the first times since she was born. This is either a sign of the apocalypse, or a sign I have no social life.

Day 1401

The Lizard is becoming self-sufficient. She can pick raspberries that are more or less ripe and open the animal crackers.

Heaven help us when the raspberry thicket stops producing this fall.

Day 1400

Weekends become much more precious when you have tiny kiddos you get to spend time with.

Day 1399

The Lizard shared her toys, the dog wasn't a giant flaming butthole, and the house was more or less clean. Friend hosting success!

Day 1398

It's fun when your kid gets older and can do all sorts of new and interesting things. It's less fun when the kid gets older and becomes *that* kid at the grocery store...

Day 1397

Nineteen and a half months later - lunch date! Do we win a prize?

Day 1396

Nommy mommy, nighty-night.

Day 1395

Blueberries with dinner = bath time for Lizard!

But also.... She can spoon pea(s) into her mouth!!

Day 1394

In which the baby suddenly revealed her intense love for The Proclaimers.

Day 1393

That thing where you meet friends for brunch, and you're going to the table "with all of the babies".

Day 1392

I hate when she's sick, but boy do I ever love the extra snuggles.

Day 1391

If you feel like your kid gets all the attention from people, take the baby and the dog to the vet. People will helpfully tell you how cute your dog is for a change.

Day 1390

It's baby-washing day! 

Also, our kid hasn't had this many head bonks in a week since she first learned to stand up by herself.

Day 1389

It is weird being a person with after hours job responsibilities.

Day 1388

Picture books are a go. It's a whole new world, kid.

Day 1387

That thing where you pick up your kid at daycare and the teachers tell you how great and happy your kid is, and then you go home and your kid gets progressively more and more nuts....

Some days I could use a little more of that delightful daycare kid in the evenings...

Day 1386

The ups and downs of parenting is a bit of an adjustment for someone who is accustomed to a fairly stable emotional state.

Day 1385

"I love you, Lizzy"

"-uv 'oo!"

<heart splodes>

Day 1384

How to drive daycare workers slowly nuts: on some days, dress your girl in "boy" clothes. On other days, dress your kid in vaguely feminine clothes. And then randomly in the middle, dress your kid in a pink ruffled watermelon dress with matching pink ruffled hat.

Collect coos.

Put your kid in boy clothes the next day.

Repeat.

...it doesn't always have to be watermelons.

Day 1383

Lesson 58,262 of Parenting: When introducing your child to slides, don't do it when they are tired and hungry and when they cried all the way home.

Day 1382

Some days you just gotta put your kid in her watermelon dress to entertain yourself before bedtime.

Day 1381

Having a 19 month old means spending a lot of time with your heart swelling with pride.

Day 1380

Apparently even a super exhausted overtired baby can nonchalantly use new words.

Day 1379

Home at last. The Lizard was violently excited to see the puppy. Literally. 

Day 1378

Today we learned that if the Lizard is tired enough, she turns into an extrovert.

Day 1377

It's weird going to the lake and putting the Lizard in a splash pool instead of taking her to the lake. 

Also, introducing her to honourary family. Curiously, she did not seem to have any difficulty telling me apart from my honourary twin...

Day 1376

That thing where you find out belatedly that the place you are staying for a couple days doesn't have an operational shower...

Day 1375

It's pretty great seeing our Lizard fairly quickly getting used to her cousins, and playing and happily shrieking with them.

Day 1374 (belated)

Suddenly realizing that your kid doesn't get hills because you live in the flattest of all flat provinces...

Day 1372

Lesson of the day: as soon as your kids grow out of their fashionable clothes, donate them. Fads fade and leave horrors behind.

Day 1371

It feels weird not having The Lizard with us when we go shopping. It feels wonderful to come back from shopping to find her awake and happily playing with grandma.

Day 1370

Our Lizard, who ain't no fool, learned a new word partway through our drive across the prairies: No.

She's also working on her comedic timing.

Day 1369

Long car rides with eighteen month olds would go much smoother if they would EAT THEIR GODDAMN LUNCH FIRST.

Day 1368

The Lizard didn't recognize her daddy without his beard.

Feeling bad about the upcoming dog abandonment. At the same time, we really don't need two babies screaming at us for six hours...

Day 1367

It can get awkward having an avid reader kid when they pronounce books as butts.

Day 1366

Wandering around carrying twenty two pounds is not that big a deal if it's snuggling you.

Day 1365

Fathers Day! Now with snotty noses! But also goodnight kisses. So probably still a win....

Day 1364

So far, one of the hardest things about being a parent is not being able to fix your kid when they're broken.

Day 1363

It is very hard when you have a sick baby that you can't make better. Snuggles help.

Day 1362

Lizard literally has more cousins than she can count.

Day 1361

Inadvertently taught the Lizard to say "uh oh sghetti". Win.

Day 1360

The Lizard is experimenting with butting heads as a hairstyling technique.

Day 1359

If you're frustrated because your dryer suddenly imploded, please keep in mind you can always replace it with wine.

Day 1358

We are apparently moving into a rapid acquisition of language phase.

Also, the Lizard has learned that if she sticks her legs through the bars of her crib, she can push her crib away from the wall.

Day 1357

Had the Lizard outside while we were gardening. Her interest seems to tend more towards archeology; she wants to remove the dirt from the beds and carefully study everything she uncovers.

Day 1356

The best reason to keep trying yoga cards: seeing the baby giggle and try to do it too.

Day 1355

Do you get some kind of points if staff at your kid's daycare want you to have more babies? An award? Maybe a trophy of some kind?

WINNING.

Day 1354

Introducing... PB&J: Toddler Edition!

Peanut butter on Melba's toast with grape purée. To be eaten by pressing the toast flat against your mouth and licking  the peanut butter off and/or smearing it up your nose.

Day 1353

The Lizard cried when I put her down on the scale at the doctor's office, but didn't cry and smiled at the doctor after getting her shot. Kids are nuts.

Day 1352

The Lizard: All Done with stuff that is boring or annoying or unpleasant.

Day 1351

The Lizard is using her shyness to try to convince all our friends that she is always quiet and snuggly. LIES. She started shrieking and babbling as soon as we left...

Day 1350

Occasionally you tell yourself "the baby has much better balance than she used to. She's getting really good at walking. We won't really have to deal with head bonks anymore." LIES.

Day 1349

Completed week one as an upervisor. Did not need to drink to forget.

Day 1348

Dear other humans: reading is allowed to be purely recreational.

Day 1347

Today is the Lizard's first big goodbye. Let's see how long it takes her to notice.

Day 1346

My Lizard: cries when you rinse her hair and water runs down her face; laughs like a maniac when she splashes so hard she gets water in her eyes.

Day 1345

"Doast!"

Day 1344

The Lizard decided she likes giving kisses. We are *so* onboard.

Day 1343

Sometimes the Lizard will show off her new tricks for other people, and sometimes she won't. And then sometimes she'll just whip out a brand new skill in front of everyone.

Day 1342

Today the lizard passed me a pretend something. And so it begins.

Day 1341

Remember: babies are not performing monkeys.

Day 1340

Believe the baby. If she hints that she's going to become a raging ball of exploding porcupines if she doesn't get to bed soon, you should take the hint.

Day 1339

Starting to give the jogging stroller a bit of the workout. Hopefully Lizard enjoys training to run 5k...

Day 1338

The festivities continue. Now with more cake and sleeping in! Also, introducing Suddenly Taller Lizard!!

Day 1337

The Lizard decided to play nice and let the day she would snuggle all day and sleep in her parents' arms again would be on her daddy's birthday. 

Happy Birthday, dearest Husband.

Day 1336

By the power of to do lists, we accomplished a whole pile today. Take that, yard and kitchen!

Day 1335

Introducing the Lizard to weeding one dandelion beheading at a time.

Day 1334

Baby giggles make every day better.

Day 1333

I would not recommend head trauma for a tired and hungry baby. Maybe try dinner and early bedtime instead.

Day 1332

You probably made a good kid if daycare workers request to have her in their room.

Day 1331

Some days it is just really hard to not be home playing with my baby.

Day 1330

Forts are for everybody, right?

Day 1329

Having a sick kiddo just makes you want to snuggle them even harder... And makes it even harder when they don't want to snuggle.

Day 1328

Show a baby a toy in a box and she'll be totally fixated on it; buy the toy and take it out of the box and she'll immediately notice the bag of toiletries you haven't put away yet, and play with that instead.

Day 1327

We need to start eating food out of bigger buckets so the Lizard will still have a bucket hat to make her happy.

Day 1326

Today I learned it is possible to screw up picking up the baby from daycare.

Day 1325

The Lizard has discovered FaceTime and she is a big giggly fan.

Day 1324

Having a toddler requires house rules we never thought we'd have to have. Like "no bicycles in the bathroom".

Day 1323

Counting down the years until I get Lizard-made disaster breakfast...

Day 1322

Why am I more entertained by bubbles than my kid?

Day 1321

If you want to freak out daycare workers, teach your kid to say "uh oh" for fun.

Day 1320

Today we got to see Lizard in her natural weekday habitat. It's fun that her teachers love her sooooo much, even though she's one of the kids they have to watch very carefully.

Day 1319

Lesson learned: don't give the cranky baby to the sensitive neighbour kid to play with. 

Day 1318

Operation Kill The Nasolacrymal Blockage With Kindness And Massages is underway. Fingers crossed.

Day 1317

She really is our kid: a delighted burst of babbling once we get to her section of the bookstore.

Day 1316

Our kid is amazing. And so wonderfully good. And hilariously contrary.

Day 1315

First time in over 17 months I've had a really good book browse.

Day 1314

Bedtime sillies are the best. Aside from the bit where I'm always a little worried she's going to stumble into the wall.

Day 1313

Outside sources agree: our kid is a loon.

Day 1312

If the kid doesn't want to play outside and doesn't want wobbly wheels, it must be early bedtime.

Day 1311

Babies can be a helpful distraction when you have the mutters. Although it might not be a positive distraction if they are muttering louder.

Day 1310

Maybe you finally become a grownup once you have successfully conditioned yourself to autopilot through chores without noticing.

Day 1309

Dear Lizard,

Get ready to eat a lot of lasagna. Apparently we're good at this.

Love,

Your mother

Day 1308

Bought the baby a teensy adirondack chair, resisted getting a minivan, and ate slughetti. Easy to pick the least favourite; slugs are not eats.

Day 1307

It continues to entertain me how much people at her daycare love Lizard.

Plus, it probably means that she actually is a cool kid, that it's not just us having mooshy parent brain.

Day 1306

I know this will shock everyone, but we seem to have created a daughter who is both willful and contrary.

Day 1305

It's official: the Lizard is more trustworthy off leash than the dog.

Day 1304

It begins: the Lizard took off her sneaker and had it hidden from daycare staff for an hour.

Day 1303

Things that are fun: setting the Lizard loose in a department store.

Things that are less fun: having the Lizard make a break for it towards the door... Except when it was actually time to leave.

Day 1302

The Lizard has a new job at the store: slowest cart pusher ever.

Day 1301

It's fun watching people realize/remember that toddlers are little maniacs with very bad preservation instincts.

Day 1300

Both of the babies are cuter than is good for us.

Day 1299

It is a glorious feeling when you realize that a particular parenting strategy is actually having the desired effect. Victory!!

Day 1298

How bonkers are babies *supposed* to get?

Day 1297

I have found a cheap way to amuse myself. A happy baby amuses me, and I have a baby who is easy to amuse. 

I never thought I would take this much pleasure in picking something up and putting it down again. And picking it up and putting it down again.

Day 1296

Immigration law is stupid.

Day 1295

The poor dog must feel like he's herding goats. 

Day 1293

April seems like a totally reasonable time to get a really bad chill, right?

Day 1292

Course over, naptime very yes.

Day 1291

The path through childhood is paved with bonks and bruises. But thankfully, also with giggles and smiles.

Day 1290

When in doubt, yogurt.

Day 1289

How does a baby choose which words to learn? The Lizard will say shelf and duck, but not up or milk. 

Maybe she figures she doesn't need to know the word if she can tell us with frantic gestures...

Day 1288

Kid figures out how to climb onto a rocking chair. Kid becomes very good at getting onto said rocking chair. Kid stands on rocking chair. 

I see we have stitches in our future.

Day 1287

It's fun having a kid who gives a spark of happiness to total strangers because she grins at them or waves at them.

Day 1286

It's hard to tell which baby is more excited to have their daddy home.

Day 1285

I've officially decided that I don't want to be a single mom. Husband: you can never die. 

Day 1284

The baby had more mutters than usual. The puppy is on high alert. No daddy means a lot more of "all the babies crying at once".

Day 1283

The Lizard has hit the 'go totally bonkers' milestone.

Day 1282

It is wonderful to see the Lizard trying to learn about and interact with the world. Even if we end up saying "Ceiling" eleventy kajillion times.

Day 1281

Dear Lizard,

You still have over eight months until you're two. Calm down.

Also, while we're here, the food we are trying to give you is tasty and interesting. It is not actually murder. Or floor polish.

Love,

Your mother.

Day 1280

"Dis?"

"Ceiling!"

"Dis?"

"Ceiling."

"Dis?"

"Still the ceiling."

"Dat?"

"Window."

"Dat?"

"Window"

"Dat?"

"Ceiling again."

<repeat>

Day 1279

Today the baby learned about swings. I see lots of walks to the park in our future.

Day 1278

Babies: The only people whose mood improves after they poo their pants.

Day 1277

It is amazing how quickly you can go from big smiles and giggles to all yelling all the time.

Day 1276 (belated)

Why does the right before bed silly goofy stage have to be my favourite part of the day?

Day 1275

Even the Lizard knows that lots of hugs are needed on Mondays.

Day 1274

You know when the baby really sleeps in that she's about to unveil a fancy new skill. Last weekend it was walking; today she woke up wanting to know the words for everything. And so that begins...

Day 1273

Dear baby, 

If you are so sleepy you are curling up on the floor with a blankie, maybe you should consider actually napping when I then put you down for a nap.

Love,

Mother

Day 1272

The day we found out everyone in the house likes Shreddies, despite what one of those ones has been saying.

Day 1271

The babies were excited to see the snow this morning; the adults were not. I'm just excited for when Lizard is older and I have a super excuse to play in the snow. Then it won't just be something to shovel that prevents us from getting places quickly and safely.

Day 1270

O Grumpus, our Grumpus, why did you have to choose basement flood week to be such a Grumpus?

Day 1269

On the plus side, once we have enough towels to deal with the water that floods into the basement every spring, we'll be able to make a really wicked Towel Fort.

Day 1268

With great walking skills comes great grumpability.

Day 1267

With new walking skills comes new opportunities for bruises. Yippee!

Day 1266

The Lizard decided this morning that she's going to walk now. So that's happening.

Day 1265

I think my favourite sound is baby giggles. Is it possible to be mad when you hear baby giggles?

Day 1264

The Lizard's coughing bugs us more than it bugs her.

Day 1263

The kiddo is alternating big coughs and huge grins. Oh tiny lungs, please get better...

Day 1261

It's hard to be cranky when your little sunshiney baby has the giggles.

Day 1260

It's amazing how much your wellbeing can depend on the mood of an irrational tiny person.

Day 1259

Our little lumberjack winterpiggy is 15 months old.

As usual, I'm not sure how that happened.

Day 1258

Parenting involves a lot of simple joys.

Day 1257

One of the weirdest things about being a parent is how utterly bewildering and shocking it is when you (regularly) discover that your kid used to be younger and smaller. 

This should not be a surprise to anyone... but it is. To many people, including me. Frequently.

The human brain is a messed up animal.

Day 1256

I wonder if all the other parents from daycare think everyone who works there loves their kid. 

Day 1255

That thing where you suddenly realize that your kid is bigger/longer/better at whatever than they were a couple days ago. How does this happen?!

Day 1254

The teething has to stop someday, right?

Day 1253

My kid is old enough to get onto a bike by herself.

Day 1252 (belated)

Whoever decided that it's okay for a healthy baby to have two sick parents at once was wrong and dumb and I don't like them.

Day 1251

Every sick day should end in delicious stew. And then no more coughing.

Day 1250

Hermitting: sometimes with more hermits!

Day 1249

I would not have guessed that stomping could be so consistently adorable.

Day 1248

Test-driving board books from the library: super success.

Sick baby eating at daycare: super fail.

Sigh.

Day 1247

Hugs should cure all baby ailments.

Get on it, science.

Day 1246

The wonderful cozy calm of having a baby sleeping curled up against your chest... Mixed with sympathy and concern because your little one is only sleeping and cuddling because she feels terrible.

Day 1245

It's delightful watching our daughter's sense of humour develop - and watching her gaining enough understanding of the world to appreciate the ridiculous.

Day 1244

Sometimes it takes tremendous will power to put the overtired baby to bed when she's being silly and giggly and hilarious.

Day 1243

Took the Lizard to the library for the first time today. I learned two things:

1. Why the kid's section is always a disaster and

2. What it feels like when it's your kid shrieking (happily) in the library.

Day 1242

Not feeling well enough to spend time with my kid sucks. 

Day 1241

Teething causes violent little mood swings with our happy little girl. It also requires lots and lots of hugs. I'm okay with that.

Day 1240

Took the Lizard out sledding.

Got exercise, grinned pretty much the whole time, tuckered out the dog... And Lizard was super into it.

We can do this every day, right?

Day 1239

The Lizard has discovered dropping food on the floor. 

Time to work on my zen calm.

Day 1238

See? Not totally hermit crabs...

Day 1237

Dear Lizard: you don't need to grow all your teeth at once. Too much enthusiasm!

Day 1236

Sometimes a boring day at work sounds absolutely wonderful. I have a wee person at home; who needs that much excitement at work?!

Day 1235

All we need is naps, naps. Naps is all we need.

Day 1234

Give a baby a spoon, and she will give herself an applesauce facial. For science.

Day 1233

The dog has calmed down from his ordeal, but he's trying to be as good as possible in case it was his naughtiness that got him sent to daycare. 

Am I bad person if I really enjoy the extra snuggles and best behaviour?

Days 1229 through 1232

What an astonishing gift and tremendous privilege it is to watch a person, day by day, learning how. 

How to walk, how to feed herself, how to communicate, how to wave, and give hugs and kisses... Day by day Lizard learns new skills and starts to master them. Even when she's sick, or tired, or growing... She is always learning. Even though her body keeps changing, so she has to re-learn how it works and how to control it... She keeps learning and keeps progressing.

She is such a wonder, and such a delight.

Day 1228

Babies seem to be compelled to learn a big batch of new skills at once. Either that or they hoard them up so they can show them off all at once.

In related news, The Lizard walked all by herself today. 

Day 1227

If you feel you need an excuse to wash your baby and everything they're wearing, give them peanut butter.

Day 1226

The Lizard is now officially old enough to do art at daycare. 

In totally unrelated news, we might need to buy new fridge magnets.

Day 1225

I shouldn't be allowed to trim the dog's fur. All it ever does is turn him into a giant pair of beseeching eyes.

Day 1224

It really is incredible to watch day by day as the Lizard gets more confident and more skillful in her movement. Don't you know a year ago you could only eat, poop, and scream?

Day 1223

How many teeth does a baby need?!

Day 1222

I'm not sure who finds walkabouts more exciting: The Lizard or her parents.

Day 1221

That thing where a vendor flies people in for a half hour meeting and they totally shit the bed... And then you get to watch your CFO very efficiently take the wind out of their sails.

Good times.

Day 1220

The baby has re-discovered the joys of the walkabout. While shrieking.

Day 1219

The baby was so happy and overtired today; if you smiled st her, she'd giggle. And if you took her for a walkabout, she'd chase the dog while shrieking manically. 

I don't think she knows what Mondays are.

Bert definitely understands what Mondays are.

Day 1218

The Lizard seems to be picking up all sorts of new skills at once: putting stacking cups together, putting rings on poles, performing sleight of hand tricks with chicken...

Day 1217

Everyone needs more naps. But at least we have more flannel sheets to nap on.

Day 1216

Our first Husband's Day = Success.

But even huger success was trying a new Chinese restaurant. 

<happy wiggle>

Day 1215

Someone needs to establish a rule that only one parent can be really sick at one time, and only one parent can be super busy at work at one time.

Get on that, someone.

Day 1214

One of the best ways to spend time is to find new ways to make our girl giggle.

Day 1213 (belated)

Our lizard is "easy-going" and "independent". Sounds about right.

Day 1212

Swollen gums feel like impending doom. 

Day 1211

If:

A) Your kid's daycare report says she loves playing with books (and farm animals). 

B) Your kid is chilly after her bath, but when you try to snuggle with her under a blanket, she keeps trying to escape because she can see a book she wants to look at, and

C) Your kid starts crying when you take away her book so she can have some milk before bed...

You might be raising a bibliophile.

Day 1210

Dear Daycare Plague,

Uncle.

Best Wishes,

-C

Day 1209

Which is the greater challenge - two sick parents and a cranky, sleepy, sick baby... Or two sick parents and a healthy, peppy, getting into everything baby?

Day 1208

The Lizard has started her career of sticker-earning.

And she can eat at a table. Almost like a real person.

Day 1207

Nobody does pathetic like babies. Except for maybe fur babies.

I started falling asleep part way through the second sentence. Might be sleep time.

Day 1206

You know Christmas is over when you punt the tree out of the house.

Either that or you know the tree is dead and was about to explode.

Day 1205

It is an excellent week for wine-based sauces. As it is a week.

Day 1204

I wonder.... If I used a different bolognese every day, how long would it take before I got sick of it?

Day 1203

The most frequent disagreements Husband and I have are about which side up the sheets should be, and whether a fork or a spoon is the appropriate utensil for a specific dish.

Day 1202

Our little lizard had a great time at daycare today. We're getting there.

Day 1201

Apparently garlic doesn't go with everything.

Day 1200

Now have access to the webcam at Lizard's daycare so we can watch her all day long.

Welcome to the babopticon.

Day 1199

The Lizard is 13 months old today. She is happy, and silly, and fun. Her giant grin makes my life a better place.

Day 1198

Dreaming of Ireland while tromping through snow.

Day 1197

We've all been sick for so long that I'd forgotten just how happy and smiley the Lizard really is.

Day 1196

I have blown my nose so many times in the last few days my nose is peeling and swollen.

On the plus side, Lizard seems to be feeling better.

On the minus side, we have a chipper one year old with two sick parents.

Day 1195

So far 2016 has the same garbage breathing problems as last year. Would not recommend.

Day 1194 (belated)

Dear body: it's a new year. Let's try something different. Being healthy, perhaps? Being able to breathe sounds like it might be worth trying.