when a child weeps to go on an airplane

Mason has been my traveling partner since... well, since before he was born, really. He's accompanied me all over the country for conferences and meetings. We're leaving for another one in the morning. It's in Tampa. We've been talking about it off and on over the last week.

Last night, (after not sleeping well the night before) he walked through the house sobbing, "Airplane, Airplane" and dragging any bag he could find to the door. He knows the travel routine way too well.

Toddler Wisdom

We live with our sister (Amanda) and brother-in-law (Travis), and their son Pax. Travis has been out of town this week and has been staying with some family (Aunt Fran and Uncle John).
Yeseterday morning, Mason and Jen got out of bed around 6:15 a.m. It was still dark and Mason didn't want to even turn on the TV, so Mom-and-Toddler snuggle time was in effect. The following conversation occured:

M: TT home?! (TT is what Mason calls Travis)
J: No, TT is at Nanny and John's house.
M: TT home!
J: No, TT is at Nanny and John's house. Do you remember Nanny and John.
M: Pause. No, TT! No touch John pants.
J: WHAT?!
M: No, TT! No touch John pants!
J: No touch John's what?
M: PANTS!

And, there you have it, from the mouth of babes. When staying at your aunt and uncle's house... don't touch your uncle's pants.

Jen

Play it again, Monker!

One of the funny happenings, or maybe I should say a series of funny happenings, from the past holiday season is related to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Mason watched it for the first time on DVD at Thanksgiving. The next morning when we awoke the first words were "Monker. Teeth." (Translation- Monster. Teeth.) You know-- the scene when Hermey pulls the Abominable Snowman's (known affectionately in our family as "Monker") teeth. Well, we continued the conversation, about how Monker was nice, not mean and he helped (complete with this quote "Star. Ding!") You know- he puts the star on Santa's tree at the end and doesn't need a step stool. The sound effect when the star goes on the tree= ding! Apparently for Mason, Monker is the star of the show, even the title of the movie!

Anyway, from there, we've never looked back. He received a singing and dancing "Monker" from Aunt Bubba (Jamey's sister, Becca) during that same trip. Mason wasn't sure quite what to make of him for a few days, until Pax decided he really liked him. (The Pax seal of approval means Mason likes it too. After all, they're toddlers and what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine!)

We caught it on TV during ABC Family's 25 days of Christmas (or whatever they call it). After that, the conversation expanded to:
"Monker. Teeth. Nice. HELP- Star- DING. Daddy Deer. Drip Drop. Deer. Nose."

Drip Drop? Drip Drop (complete with tapping on his head) has always meant rain. Well, it was raining that night when I came home and the guys were watching it. So we figured that's what he was associating with the movie.

Until we went shopping a few days later and passed a display of Rudolph stuffed animals. "Mommy, Drip Drop Deer. NOSE!" Then the lightbulb went off-- Rain Deer= Reindeer. Sadly for us, he has switched to saying reindeer sometimes. But the default is still Drip Drop Deer.

Aunt Bubba also gave Mason a copy of "Monker" on DVD for Christmas. He watched it 4 times that day. We still watch it at least once a day.

And singing and dancing Monker still sleeps in Mason's bed.

Jen

The Kick-Off

Thus begins our attempt at a family blog. Jen and I agreed tonight that it might be a fun way for us to chronicle the interesting things that Mason comes up with. Since we've not kept a baby book carefully for his first 23 months, this is the next best option.

As Jen has spent more time reading blogs and web forums, she will probably be a more engaging writer. Jamey will just be long-winded.

Enjoy the journey with us!

Jamey