Birthday plans are proceeding apace for our second son this week. He turns ONE (!!) on Saturday, which ends up being a very convenient time to host the accompanying party. The birthday cake's been ordered, invitations have been hand-made and delivered, and I've been informed that I'm in charge of cooking. If it's nice enough out (read: no blizzard), I'll fire up the barbeque and do up a batch of hot dogs and burgers.
We told Declan over a month ago that Tavish's birthday was coming, and it's a fact he's been reminding us of every single day since then. "Tavish's birthday!!" he chimes in at sporadic intervals, prompted by a coo from the baby or an Audi commercial on TV. (We have no idea what triggers that kid sometimes.)
In addition to reminding us of the impending date, Dex has also treated us to several bouts of projectile vomiting. His appetite has waned a lot the past week and more, so we think he's picked up a minor bug. Lots of coughing and unwontedly moody. Last night he christened our kitchen floor and then the toilet, then our bed and then the toilet. Tavish smiled and cooed through the whole first part of it, bouncing contentedly in his Jumperoo.
The first few salvoes have also gone off in whatever sibling rivalry is going to develop between Dex and Tav. (I only pray it's less intense than what existed between me and my brother, or Amy and her sister.) Tavish is not allowed to have any part of what engages Declan during play. If the wee one makes overtures of interest and meanders to where his big brother is playing, he is rebuffed by either a swat of the hand or a lowering of the head. The latter is then followed up by a head butt. Right now, noggin-a-noggin, Dex is winning those battles, bowling Tavish onto his back and glancing up to the nearest parent with a challenging look on his face. When one of us starts to scold him we are treated to his retort of, "No! Shhhh... be very, very quiet!"
Dex has also started with the commentary that is sure to embarrass both his parents in public many times in the next few years. While in the shower with me this weekend he observed, "Daddy, you have a nipple on your butt," which he then proceeded to smack resoundingly. There are no sacred cows to a guileless toddler, skin blemishes included.
It doesn't help that Amy trains him while I'm away at work and then shows off when friends come over.
"Declan, what does Daddy say?"
"Yes, dear."
I do my best to hold my own in that department.
"Dex, what does Mommy say?"
"No, no."
A pimple on your butt. That is priceless and one of those memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Heh.
One year old? He'll be 50 before you know it and coming to visit you once a month in the nursing home.
Posted by: Alvis | Monday, 26 February 2007 at 01:18 PM
Hope Dex is feeling better soon, in time for the party for sure. And, gee, I hope the boys get along better as time goes on. I would say right soon Tav will be holding his own. Big boy.
Posted by: Linda | Monday, 26 February 2007 at 03:06 PM
Hurray for Tavish! He's successfully completed one full lap around the sun and showing no sign of slowing.
Is Dex's man-handling of Tav a new thing? The last video I saw of the two of them still showed utter sweetness from Fraser Child Alpha
I don't know how cute I would find it were my child saying it to me...but the "No, shhh...be very, very quiet" is outrageously adorable...in an infuriating way.
*snicker* Nipple on your butt *snicker snicker* ;)
Posted by: Moksha Gren | Monday, 26 February 2007 at 03:20 PM
Did I fail to hear of some massive cleanup of the backyard, such that attempts to navigate from the back door to the barbecue isn't a sloshfest through dog doo?
I'm sure Declan can manage "not tonight dear, I have a headache" if you work on it a bit harder...
Sorry your little buckaroo is ill -- hope he makes a full recovery in time to eat half his weight in his brother's birthday cake, whereupon you'll get to see what technicolor projectile vomiting is REALLY all about.
Posted by: wil | Monday, 26 February 2007 at 03:37 PM
Birthdays rule!
For kids, anyway. Actually, there not so bad for adults, if one is in the right frame of mind.
I can't believe it's been a year since his birth. More than that since I first stumbled upon the Simian Farmer and his brood (and lively wife, of course). Oops, I meant to type "lovely wife," but that seemed to fit, so I'm leaving it.
I've heard other dads mention this whole showering with the kid thing, but I've never tried it. I guess maybe I never spent enough time in a locker room, or my parents did something to make me particularly averse to the idea. I don't mind if Ben catches a glimpse while I'm using the bathroom (boy's gotta learn, after all), but somehow naked in the shower is different.
I think it's because I have way too many nipples on my butt.
Posted by: Mark | Monday, 26 February 2007 at 08:22 PM
Linda, Tavish will certainly be holding his own once he gets a bit bigger. Dex better get his licks in while he can.
Moksha, Dex's man-handling is pretty new. As Tavish gets more mobile, he gets more inquisitive and therefore treads more on what used to be just Dex's territory. Boundaries are being crossed and re-established and defended and assaulted. All kinds of fun. Just like countries on a world scale, but smaller... and with head butts.
wil, no there's not been any clean up of the yard, but all the poo back there is still frozen under a good six inches of hard packed snow. Even if it's showing it's hard and crunchy. A good deep freeze never stopped an outdoor Canadian barbeque. Especially with spring so near and tempting us with the prospect of heat!
Mark, not to put the wrong spin on this or anything, but my family has always been pretty cozy about the human body thing. Heck, Dex sometimes comes running if he hears me peeing, which is what makes me sit down most often at home. That intent stare is enough to give a guy a shy bladder.
Posted by: Simon | Monday, 26 February 2007 at 09:47 PM
A year already? It was the arrival of Tavish that brought me here, so it's hard to believe it's been that long! Whatever became of those towels?
Sounds like the bbq is a go, barring seriously inclement weather. It's been my experience that once a Canadian man fixes his sights on bbq'd meat, nothing will sway him. Good luck!
Posted by: Tal | Tuesday, 27 February 2007 at 07:17 AM
So I was in the shower this morning and discovered a pimple on my own butt. I chuckled to myself as I remembered your story and then stopped. I suddenly realized that I was in the shower...thinking of the Simian in the shower. And given some of our more frank discussions in the past few months (piercings, brandings, etc)...the mental picture had a few too many details. I quickly thought of something else and scrubbed more vigourously to wash all the "dirty" away. ;)
You've been so uncomfortably honest on you blog...I just figured I'd return the favor.
Posted by: Moksha Gren | Tuesday, 27 February 2007 at 07:55 AM
Mokker, you been stuck inside too long, Buddy?
Posted by: Linda | Tuesday, 27 February 2007 at 03:33 PM
Oh, I can't wait to throw my own one-year-old birthday, which is 5 months from today. I already have some ideas, and it'll be full summmer then, so BBQ is a strong chance.
An early happy birthday to Tavish! and his happy parents. I hope you have great weather and lots of fun!
Posted by: Émilie B. | Wednesday, 28 February 2007 at 08:23 AM
Oh, I can't wait to throw my own one-year-old birthday, which is 5 months from today. I already have some ideas, and it'll be full summmer then, so BBQ is a strong chance.
An early happy birthday to Tavish! and his happy parents. I hope you have great weather and lots of fun!
Posted by: Émilie B. | Wednesday, 28 February 2007 at 08:23 AM
Woah, uh. Posted that twice, apparently. I seem doubly enthusiastic, don't I?
Posted by: Émilie B. | Wednesday, 28 February 2007 at 08:25 AM