Daddy and me at the Doctor

A guest post by Sheldon.

Daddy Asa took me to the Doctor today. I was a little nervous but not really because Daddy said he'd be right there the whole time, and that he's been to the Doctor a lot and it wouldn't hurt. Daddy gave me lots of hugs on the way there.

The clinic was set up at the Children's Museum. There were lots of kids and lots of lovies. We signed in and I got an ID  bracelet. It had to go around my neck because my legs are so short!  We waited on a bench for a couple of minutes, then a nurse called us in.

We saw Dr. Chris from Portsmouth Regional Hospital. He had Daddy weigh and measure me- I weigh 12oz and I'm 15.5 inches long- I've grown!  Dr. Chris asked all sorts of questions about how old I am, and what I eat, and whether I behave.  He took my blood pressure and listened to my heart, and everything sounded good.  I'm a very healthy turtle.

Dr. Chris and Daddy decided I was so healthy I didn't need a band-aid, but I did get a prescription for snuggles. I think that will be easy medicine to take. We also got a certificate with my name on it!

After my check up, I was so tired that Daddy put me in the Beach pail he'd gotten from the nurses. It was a nice place for a nap. But I'm looking forward to my snuggles at bedtime.

Almost Four

Almost four, no swimmies or life jacket or bubble.  Slight hesitation only due to it being his first jump off the day, into water that might be cold...? (Not in Poppy's pool.)

My little fish isn't little anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmg8nnC20-Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Summer afternoon

Yes,  I KNOW YouTube is giving you problems with that video. I'm working on it. Meanwhile: this.

This being a boy.

Not a toddler, though it hasn't been that long.  That title had been passed on.  Not even a very little boy, although still the smallest and youngest in his class.

A boy.

One who often doesn't need to be reminded of his manners.  One who tells stories - great flights of imagination - with words bigger than he is.  One who loves his friends and his family and is rarely loathe to show it, with hugs, kisses, or stroking hair (he always asks first).

One who used a public restroom all by himself today, and emerged glowing with pride. One who has learned to dress himself: long-sleeved shirt, shorts and socks with sneakers, but all put on facing the right way.  This is one who can button, snap and zip himself most of the time.

This is one who makes me stare in awe and amazement - how can this lanky child be ours?

And it makes me so much more grateful for moments like this - simple ones playing on the sprinkler on a warm afternoon, when for a moment, things slow down.

Laughter and Noses

Watch "20130525_123918.mp4" on YouTube

Spring Play

Every spring, Asa has to be convinced anew to play outside and get dirty. We spend at least a week running between the yard and the bathroom sink, and we end up going through a lot of hand soap.

Elias?  Not so much.

The Day When Everything Changes

Watch "April 19, 2013 6:15 PM" on YouTube

Passing on the Skills

Reading the dregs of Turkish Coffee. A skill acquired at Mommy's knee.