Cat vs Toddler

There seems to be a full on battle going on in our house, between Annie, the cat and Sammy, the toddler.  She has up until now generally tolerated him.  The kind of tolerating that involves keeping one eye open and warily watching him.  He in turn, has loved her, sometimes forcefully, but there was genuine warmth.
However, times have changed.  The other day he was eating his lunch and had pieces of deli turkey, which Annie is also very fond of.  She had a little in her bowl and then was creeping closer and closer to his high chair, to the point where she was balanced on our kitchen stool, sniffing his tray.  Sam does not put up with anyone taking food from him, and he lost it.  (She may have eaten a piece when my back was turned).
She ended up outside while he finished his meal, and apparently that breach of trust ruined their relationship.
Since then, Sam has been scolding her constantly,
"No Annie!  No.  Annie DOWN."
or "Annie no eat Sammy food.  No.  NO EAT," when she is resting peacefully in a patch of sunshine.  Basically she can't do anything right.

I thought she was just an innocent party until I realized she was antagonizing him.  They're like two siblings who are poking each other while their mom is occupied.  He will pull her tail when he thinks I'm not looking.  She will sneak up and pretend she is going to    eat his food, or walk by and play with his toys when he is in the high chair and can't intervene.  Yesterday, I took him down from his high chair and he was playing, when she got up and started lapping up the remains of his soup. The entire time he had been eating, he had been telling her to, "no eat Sammy soup," and I kept telling him, "kitties don't eat soup," except I guess maybe she does now?  She will also wait until he is asleep and then get in his crib, allegedly to sleep, but really I think to wake him and make him mad.  He once fed her in the afternoons and now he refuses to do so, "no, Mama feed cat."
I didn't really think I'd have to play peacemaker between the cat and him, I thought I'd be in the clear until he had a sibling old enough to squabble with.  Now they pretty much need to be in separate rooms most of the time.

Gardening in March

The unseasonably warm weather has made us think about starting the garden, or at least get the pots ready and (a little late), start seedlings.  Here are photos of Sam helping.

Flashes of the Future

His expression when riding this tricycle makes me a little nervous.  I didn't quite capture it, but it's this coy, self-assured expression that just makes me think of him in 16 years holding onto the handlebars of a motorcycle.  We have somehow managed to instill in him some sort of ambivalence towards motorbikes, at least he will point to them and quote, "motorcycle dangerous."

Train Show

     One of the best ideas we've had in a  while, was a model train show in a local Shriner's hall.  It was $7 each for adults to get into and hours of entertainment.  There were some pretty elaborate train sets and some pretty intense train enthusiasts, but it captivated Sam's interest.  Between the people watching and intricate displays, Chris and I were amused also.  The only thing we were not entirely amused with was the kiddie ride-on train that made a lap around the auditorium through the parking lot at a snail's pace in the chilly weather, on which we sat with our knees near our chests.  Sam liked it though.  Had they served drinks aboard it might have been a little better.
        We didn't take too many photos, there were crowds around most of the train sets that were photo-worthy, Lego sets complete with working wind turbines, Ferris wheels, lots of lights, etc.  Even steam trains that puffed steam and and with complex over lapping tracks, tunnels, bridges, etc.  I think the only thing that would have improved Sam's day was if he could have touched the trains.

Starbucks

So I take Sammy to Starbucks a lot, apparently too much.  I went to place an order today, and asked the barrista for a tall coffee.  I had Sam in my arms.  As I finished speaking Sam shook his head and told her, "no, venti please."

Starbucks translation (my husband refuses to use their terminology):

tall = small
grande = medium
venti = large

The Moon

The other night when we were getting ready for bed, Sam was standing on the couch, looking out the window of our second story living room.  He was looking down at the street and then at the street lamp reflection.
"Oh no!" he cried, "Ought oh!  Moon fall down!"

Love this little guy and his observations.

And Chaos Ensues

So we had a really nice evening and dinner, and then in a matter of seconds chaos occurs.  I never really understand how this happens, especially with only one child and one pet.  Our whole day has been off, since Sam was randomly up half the night (not sure why).  So his nap schedule was off, then when he finally was ready for a second nap, the neighborhood kids proceeded to scream and yell outside his window and he couldn't fall asleep.  They also succeeded, when he finally did fall asleep (I smartened up and provided lots of white noise and lullabies), to wake him up again.  Anyway, point being, the whole day was off schedule.  In baby world, that's a lot.  We usually get him down for bed between 7:00 and 7:30.  Tonight, I was brushing his teeth at 7:45, which doesn't seem like a big deal, but tomorrow morning has potential for disaster.  And he hates when I brush his teeth- full on screams, torturous wails, and tears.  I finally release him and send him to the living room to choose a book.  He's still whimpering, when there is silence.  I hang up the towel and go to investigate.  There is a mysterious brown puddle in the dining room, Sam is peering at it.  I peer at it.
"Did Sammy make that?"
Silence.
"Did kitty-cat make that?"
"Kitty maked that!"
(Better of two options).  So it turns out the cat has vomited on a good portion of the dining room rug.  On further inspection there is a skid mark through the middle of it.
I pick up Sam, sure enough, there is cat puke on his footsie pajamas.  Awesome.  I undress him and send him in the nursery to get a new pair.  Now it's 7:55 and I am scrubbing cat puke.
Sam returns minus pajamas and wants to help.  I send him back to the nursery.
Sam climbs on the couch, minus the pajamas.  I give up on the puke and decide to get the cat outside in case she's sick again.  I find her and have to make it through three rooms, and to the back porch before I can release her.  She digs her claws into my chest and I scream.
Sam laughs.  I drop the cat.  I pick her up again and she claws me and jumps down.
From the couch I hear more laughter and "More!"  I chase the cat across the living room into the hall, into the bedroom and out again.  Sam is now practically hysterical and clapping on the couch.
"Kitty-cat fast!  Kitty-cat run!  Mama chase kitty-cat!"
I capture her again and try running for the door.
The cat jumps down and disappears behind the couch.  I gave up.
Sam kisses my "boo-boos" and scolds the cat, "no hurt Mama!" then turns to me, "kitty-cat fast!" which I had noticed.
Sam got to bed at 8:15, cat is still inside, and I'm pretty sure the rug is stained.

March Shoveling

Our minimal snowfall this winter continues to be a great delight to Sam.  Snow shoveling is his new favorite activity.  We replaced his stolen (yes, someone stole a 1 year old's toy), shovel, and he will work with the bare inch of snow that we have.  He's actually really good at it too!