The boys and their toys at 'Touch a Truck'. 

G.I. Bitty at 'Touch a Truck' today. 

August 2003

Now Bitty can sing 'Hail to the Redskins!'

July 2003

One of my favorite pictures.

A fan of The Adventures of Bitty Man remarked that I seemed to be taking Bitty's 2nd Birthday pretty hard. It's not that I wish he was a 'baby' again -- with every age I've always thought, "Wow, this is the BEST age" and it's still true. I love having a 23 1/2 month old. Bitty amazes and entertains me on an hourly basis. But I am shocked at how fast time has flown by. I don't understand how my little baby, who just yesterday (or so it seems) relied on me to meet his every basic need, today at lunch commanded, "Mama, not peanut butter. Peanut butter AND jelly AND pudding treat!"

So forgive a hormonal Mama as she enjoys remembering the road once traveled.

June 2003

At least now Bitty has a full head of hair! Who'd guessed it would turn out to be so blonde?

May 2003

Where did my baby go?!? (Mama is having a hard time facing Bitty's 2nd birthday.)

He Writes The Songs

Singing 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' is SOOO yesterday. Bitty is now composing his own material. This evening's selection, performed while taking his bath:

Peeing in the tub!
Peeing in the tub!
Peeing in the tub!
HAHAHA!
Peeing in the tub!

Peeing on the truck!
Peeing on the car!
Peeing on the ducky!
HAHAHA!
PEEEEE-IIINNNGGG!

Bitty Man at the Childrens Museum, enjoying the bubbles exhibit! 

Bitty Sings the Blues

Daddy was out of town this weekend, performing a one-night gig somewhere in Tennessee. (Even he's not quite sure where it was -- he did say the town was 'very southern' since they ate at a Crackerbarrel restaurant.) So of course when Daddy returned home last night Bitty was all about, "present?!?"

Yes, Daddy brought you a present. A harmonica.

It only took Bitty a few minutes to master blowing in and out to make music. But more impressive, he would blow a few notes then begin to sing -- in the correct key -- one of the songs in his repertoire.

Bitty started entertaining us with entire songs a week ago. He's been singing single pitches for months. But we were surprised when out of nowhere he belted out "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in it's entirety, in pitch, and in rhythm. You may also request "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or much of the Wiggles soundtrack.

Of course if he doesn't know the song that being sung, he just goes ahead and sings a song he does know. For example, during Mass last Sunday when we began to sing the offertory hymn, Bitty decided that he wanted to sing too. But since he didn't know the hymn, he began singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with all his God-given talent. Thankfully those around us found it as adorable as we did.

And I'm pretty sure God was pleased.

Now that Bitty is almost 2, it's time for him to earn his keep! 

After a hard day mowing lawns, Bitty needed to cool off in the pool! 

They Say It's Your Birthday

Let the countdown begin. One month until Bitty Man is 2 years old. Momma is not on the ball this year. This time last year I had already created Elmo invitations on the computer, ordered all the Elmo party supplies and had downloaded a recipe for dairy-free birthday cake.

As of today we still haven't decided if we're having a party at our house, doing Chuck-E-Cheese, going to the beach for the weekend (sounds good to Momma and Daddy) or doing a simple family day. But the challenge is that most of Bitty's friends were also born in May so weekend party dates are filling up quickly.

For those of you who have already e-mailed looking for gift ideas:
CLOTHES -- Currently Bitty is wearing shirts size 2T, shorts size 24 months, pjs size 2T, shoes size 6. (Or bigger if you'd like to buy for fall/winter.)
ANYTHING WITH WHEELS -- Currently Bitty's favorite toys are his Matchbox cars, Thomas the Trains, Megablock cars and trains, Tonka trucks, and Little People cars.
ANYTHING THAT MAKES MUSIC -- Go figure!

Momma and Daddy are going to spend the next month trying to figure out, in the words of a kinda famous tune, 'where did the time go?'

Thanks, Uncle Tony, for my cool Harley hat! 

White Bittys CAN Jump

For the past month, when you ask Bitty Man want he wants to do today, the answer is always the same:

"Play baskeet-ball?!?"

We have no idea where this obsession came from. We are a football family. (There was a time, pre-Bitty, that Daddy was into the Lakers, but he hasn't watched a game since the team went downhill.) So I was very surprised when one day at the park Bitty asked if he could 'play baskeet-ball?'

I grabbed the Old Navy soccer ball out of the trunk of my car and we proceeded to play basketball. By playing, I mean Momma attempts to shoot baskets, Bitty laughs hysterically and chases the ball as it soars off the court.

Last week while Momma and Bitty were at Gymboree Clothing checking out the 70% off sale, the manager was kind enough to give Bitty a soccer ball sticker. But since he's been playing basketball with the Old Navy soccer ball, he kept referring to the sticker as a 'baskeet-ball' -- leaving the Gymboree manager to inquire if Bitty was color blind. So to save further embarrassment, we broke down and purchased a junior-sized authentic basketball.

We took our new ball to the park today and enjoyed the 78F sunshine. Bitty did less chasing and more clapping. Turns out it's much easier for Momma to make baskets with an authentic basketball!

2 tickets to Wiggles LIVE, $60. Parking, $10. 1 hot pretzel, $4. The look on Bitty's face when the concert started: PRICELESS! 

The view from our seats. 'Toot toot, chugga-chugga, Big Red Car!' 

Bitty and his friend J checking out the Wiggles program before the show began. 

"In the Wiggle's World..."

Countdown t-minus 14 hours, 55 minutes until WIGGLES LIVE!

Ouchie!

Bitty Man had to make an unexpected trip to the doctor's yesterday. He's fine, now that he's on antibiotics. What was much more disturbing than Bitty's infection was learning that his pediatrician had moved to Oregon so we'd be seeing another ped in the practice.

We lucked out with our original ped, Dr. P. The nurse who taught our childbirth class recommended him and boy was she right on. Dr. P. was amazing -- A D.O. who supported attachment parenting, didn't push unnecessary drugs, and had several young children of his own.

The doctor we saw yesterday we'd also seen on one other occasion. I have no doubt he's a brilliant medical doctor. But he doesn't have much of a connection with kids -- not a good thing if you are a pediatrician.

But on the other hand, he does have really good toys in his waiting room. An important factor to consider when choosing your child's doctor.

In the meantime Bitty will be just fine.

No Foolin'

Bittyman wants to wish Daddy a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Bitty is taking Daddy to his favorite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory, for dinner. Bitty thinks he is paying for dinner with his 'credit card'.

(I'm pretty sure the Cheesecake Factory won't accept a Southwest Rapid Rewards card as payment, but don't tell Bittyman.)