I hope everyone is starting to thaw out from winter. It's mild here...still cool, but at least the sun is out. Ashley's Mom, JoAnne (Nana), is visiting, so she watched Bode this morning while Ashley and I did some yard work (swept the patio, raked leaves, and picked up the various presents Auburn and Dudley had left). Of course, Punxutawney Phil said six more weeks of winter, so we better not get used to it.
It's been an interesting month. Things started great with the mighty Steelers winning the Super Bowl. I, and my heart, would have preferred a not-so-spectacular ending, but it was pretty amazing. The glow of the Super Bowl victory was short-lived, because also on the first of February, the grocery store (Kroger) at which Ashley and I shop closed for renovations. You might be saying, "Jeff, this seems like a rather trivial item, and it really shouldn't upset you." Well, it does, and here's why. For those that know me, you understand I'm a little picky when it comes to how I like things (some would say punctilious, others fastidious, while Ashley chooses to just call me anal), and I'm certainly not big on change. To quote Dalton from
Roadhouse, "It's my way or the highway," (you know you love that movie). Most of you shop at the same store every week, and you get into a little routine, not to mention you pretty much know where everything is. Now imagine going to a new store where nothing is where it should be. The fruit is organized haphazardly (why would you not put raspberries next to the blackberries?) The store doesn't carry your favorite type of ice-cream (how can you not have moose-tracks?). Worst of all, the store is a little smaller so the aisles have to be narrower making it difficult to maneuver (even harder when you consider the size of some Ohioans). Again, these may seem like small things, but considering my aforementioned personality type, you can easily see why grocery day was no longer the fun outing that it had been. Fortunately, this changed yesterday when we tried a different store, another Kroger further from our house. Ahh, it was like seeing an old friend again. The layout was exactly like our old store, the fruit up near the front and to the right, the milk in the back left corner, and a nearly identical aisle structure. The precise layout was a bit different--the cereal in aisle four was on the right side instead of the left, and the dog food was on the bottom shelf vice the top. But all in all, I'm a happy man again. And seeing that the great stimulus plan is going to be signed into law on Tuesday, I need to have something to feel good about :-)
Speaking of things to feel good about, how can you not smile when you have this little guy running around?
Bode had a tough couple days last week--bad cough, trouble sleeping, and rather clingy. We took him to the doc...ear infections (yes, plural) and the crupe. He stayed home from daycare for two days, and for about a week, he simply wasn't the Bode-man. Fortunately, he's made a complete recovery and is back to his usual happy self.
Friday, daycare had a Valentine's Day celebration. It wasn't really a huge party but rather an excuse to leave work early on a 3-day weekend. Parents were invited to come to the two-o'clock feeding (snack) and share cupcakes. Ashley, Nana, and I went and had a very nice time. One of the other parents said this: "I wouldn't have thought Bode's parents would be so little." Of course, this is a compliment to Ashley and me, but isn't it also kind of a veiled insult to the little dude? Good thing he didn't hear her (I think he was too focused on his food...)
Bode really likes to sit in a chair. And no, not a big-person chair. A little-guy chair. He's quite content to sit, and perhaps read his favorite book or play with a toy provided it's within reach. Here's a shot of Bode and Nana just chilling...
Nana must have worn Bode out this morning. During lunch, Bode couldn't even stay awake to finish his food, so you know he must have been tired.
Bode is really starting to understand things. For example, if you ask him to show you his trains, he'll walk all the way to his room and stand at his train table. If you ask him if he's ready to eat, he'll go stand by his high-chair. And if you ask him, "What's the capital of Ohio," he says, "Just Google it." He also seems close to saying "Daddy," although it really sounds like "Ta-tee." And he's a lot more vocal, making noises and sounds that are going to quickly become words.
Finally, a shot of Bode playing with his little bear (and also a shot of my can--hopefully this will increase the blog-readership, much like the swimsuit issue does for
Sports Illustrated :-)
Pleasant day.
Things started off well. He didn't put up too much of a fuss when Alicia (Bode's stylist) put on the neck cloth and apron.
Alicia wet Bode's hair, and things went from good...
to bad...
to worst. Little guy was crying, tears were flowing, and we thought we might have to prematurely end our little outing.
Fortunately, Bode discovered the comb he was holding in his hands. Oddly enough, he was soothed simply by rubbing his fingers along the comb's teeth. 
After that, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.
At least until the end, when Bode didn't want to give the comb back.
Being his first hair cut and all, Alicia let Bode keep the comb, thus ensuring we would return for future haircuts. Quite a transformation from the raggedy guy that came into the store just ten minutes ago.
I better notify daycare they got trouble coming tomorrow in the likes of a smooth criminal by the name of Bode McGuirk. Moms, better keep your girls at home :-)
