Tricks and Treats

Drewie is now 11 months old and has been working on a new set of tricks to amaze and delight us all!

His favorite game to play is "catch."  He gets so excited when he even sees a ball that he starts screeching and squealing.  At first he got great delight out of the just tapping balls together, but he's gotten pretty good at throwing now.  He has a pretty mean arm!

Dapper Drewie has learned what to do with a comb.  He reminds me so much of Tess when he does this!

Drew has finally figured out an army crawl.  His version relies heavily on arm power and is employed only when its to his definite advantage.  He's gotten a little faster since this video, and he can get into what he likes now.  That being the crayon box.  A whole box of long cylinders--another favorite plaything!

Drew loves music and will often start clapping his hands or "dancing" along if he likes your tune.

And he's had the "adorable cutie-pie" trick mastered for some time now.  With his four little teeth, round little head and cute eyes that squint into a triangle shape when he smiles, I haven't been able to resist calling him my baby Jack-o-lantern this season.  Ryan doesn't like it when I call Drew that--but it's not my fault that he lights up when he smiles!

Of course, we'd be willing to trade just about any of these tricks for the ultimate, show-stopping trick:  "Baby sleeps through the night with no bottle and no crying."  Ta-daaa!  We've been practicing this trick, so here's clip from one of our 3 am sessions.

I'm too scared of jinxing myself, so I won't tell you that Drew has slept through the night for the past 2 NIGHTS!!!!!  But you didn't hear it from me.

Here's a trick from Tessie: "Miraculously falling asleep when she's NOT SLEEPY AT ALL."

But Tess has been more about the treats lately.  In an effort to increase her courage, I've devised a "Brave Basket" system through which she can earn fabulous prizes through feats of bravery.  And by "fabulous prizes," I mean pink, uber-girly stuff which goes against my moral fiber and makes her three-year-old heart palpitate with excitement.  Here is the pink and purple eyeshadow.  I'll post pics of the play high-heeled shoes another time.

Of course, she's excited for all the treats that the season has in store.  Here's a cute fall painting she did at Danielle's house.  I love the pumpkins and the falling leaves.  

And a fabulous Halloween drawing of trick-or-treaters that she did for Nana's birthday.  I love how they each are carrying a treat sack.  As she explained to me:  "There's a person under that cat.  It's just a costume, you know."

Trick or Treat!