Twenty-six months

Gus spent his 26th month birthday with Aunt Marge celebrating her 75th birthday. We brought the camera but sadly did not take any pictures. It was just a tad overwhelming taking care of Gus and Theo at a party at a restaurant when they would normally be in bed, but they did well. Gus attached himself to cousins Ella and Ada so it was almost like having a sitter with us. He repeatedly demanded hugs from them throughout dinner.

Following are pictures of Gus at 26 months and one day. Note how he does not look at the camera, despite my begging.



Theo, on the other hand, loves the camera.



Oh, I remember the days when Gus loved the camera. Now he either yells, "No take my picture," ignores me, or gives me a big teeth, closed eye, horrible smile.

So what is Gus up to at 26 months?

FAVORITE PASTIMES: Trips to the Please Touch Museum, tea parties, Fisher Price Little People, baseball, making Theo laugh (he does this by running up to him and shouting "Tra Bum Ba," which I think is Tra La La Boom De ya) playing Hide-and-Seek (which is also a favorite of mine right now, since he makes me hide in my bed under the covers. I get to "hide" there for 15 minutes or so while he counts in his room and then finds me, over and over again) and Playdough. Lots and lots of Playdough.

CURRENTLY READING: 'I Stink' is an oldie about a trash truck that is back in the daily rotation. Some of the pages have quite a lot of text and we are amazed how he can recite passages such as:

PISTONS? Bring on the crusher blade. BLADE?
Push back the BAGS. SQUEEZE them! Crush them!
Mash them! Smash them! Whoa, those bags are
WAY COMpacTED

We started going to story time at the central library and checking out books, so we have been reading a lot of new books and most of the old favorites (Huckle, Cassey at the Bat, Hit the Ball Duck, Make Way for Ducklings) are resting on the bookshelf.

CURRENTLY SINGING: 'Hush Little Baby,' 'Hickory, Dickory Dock," "London Bridge," and 'Get Up, Stand Up' (Bob Marley) and 'Copacabana' (Barry Manilow) It is a little wrong to hear Gus happily sing, "There was blood and a single gunshot, but who shot who? at the Copa, Copacabana!" Favorites on the radio are Vampire Weekend and the Beastie Boys, but he is not singing them yet. "Girls" is on 104.5's play list right now and when ever it comes on he says, "I like this Girls song!"

QUIRKIEST TRAIT: Adding 'dee' to the end of sentences. Examples, "I want to plays some Playdough-dee" and "No, I no get in the stroller-dee!" We cannot figure out what this 'dee' thing is all about.