Sawyer

I didn’t get many pictures of my Mom and Sawyer when we were home for Christmas, so I made a point of getting some really good ones in what little time we had together on our last trip. I think these turned out really well.

You may also consider this an exercise in documenting the many faces of Sawyer, and the many different ways he tries to sneak his binky back in when he knows he’s not supposed to have it.

He loves that truck book, even though the trucks are from the 1970s:

Here comes the binky:

Busted! But he doesn’t care:

I know he loves reading with you, Mom, almost as much as I love seeing the two of you together. Come visit soon!

“‘xcuse me, vacuum cleaner!”

That toy used to scare him, so it’s good to see he’s finally conquered his fear. He’s clearly quite comfortable at in parent’s home:

Of course, having elephant, penguin, pretzels, juice, and binkin close by has to help. You sure do travel in style, Sawyer!

When Abby’s grandmother’s health took a turn for the worse, the three of us hopped on the next flight back to Ohio. Sawyer and I went to Columbus for two quick days to see my family while Abby and her mother attended to things back in Bath. Sawyer dove right in to his toys like he never left.

Pepa T and Uncle Kevin survey the scene:

Mema T is enthralled with Sawyer (he does that to me too):

Everyone is working on their own tower:

Sawyer and Mema combine their efforts:

He plans his next move:

Ah ha, Aunt Sarah!

Simon!

Aunt Sarah helps Sawyer organize all of the red pieces:

Sawyer knows just what to do with them:

Yep, pick up as many as he can hold:

Such concentration:

I never feel like I get enough pictures when we come home. Thanks again for having us, Mom and Dad. You always make it so much fun for him and even somewhat relaxing for me!

On our last day in Columbus, Abby, Sawyer, my mom, and I went to the Conservatory to see trains and Chihulys. As you might expect, Sawyer took to the trains right away. “Choo whoo”:

In a fitting tribute to Abby’s friend Fancy Nancy, who we planned to see there too, Sawyer was dressed in his sharpest outfit:

Abby titled this one, “Two works of art.” So perfect:

There was plenty of running with Nancy’s son, Noah:

And of course his ever present tongue:

Sawyer loved the gigantic fish in the rainforest:

Thankfully he didn’t eat any of the fish food (no doubt from hours of reading his Yummy Yucky book:

Leaving the conservatory was easy because Sawyer knew he would get to see the trains again. Look at that smile:

Mesmerized:

Lastly, his second favorite sign in the world (I’m pretty sure he likes stop signs best, even though he usually ignores them):

Nothing will top seeing a real freight train and railroad crossing “bing bing bing” one night on the way home from the zoo. Prior to that he’d always loved trains, but he wouldn’t stop talking about them once he saw how big and awesome they were in person. Not a weekend goes by that he doesn’t ask to go see more trains!

I can still remember how ridiculously cold it was that day, but it didn’t stop Sawyer from standing out in front to look for the choo choo train that PePa T heard. Sure enough, it came rumbling through just a few minutes later. Look at how he’s standing:

He had an absolute blast in Gadgets, mostly because there were balls flying everywhere, but I don’t think he was ever comfortable with this particular exhibit. Look at how he jumps back when he puts the ball above the fan:

After that, he got to drive an ambulance with Mama, MeMa, and PePa in it. He makes sure the lights are working:

Yep, all systems go:

It’s all a little overwhelming for him, he can barely sit still:

I think his favorite part was the water exhibit. Not even a nearly full-body raincoat could him dry:

Of course he didn’t help matters by trying to jump in:

But nothing topped getting to see a real race car up close, he even managed to touch a wheel:

I’ll always remember the original COSI more fondly, but after seeing him in the new one I can tell that its soul is alive and well in the new building. I know that once he learns it by name, it will be impossible to visit Columbus without spending an afternoon at COSI.

Wish I would have taken more pictures!

Am I really a month behind still? I know I missed out on at least another day’s worth of pictures prior to Christmas. I’ll dig those up and post them tomorrow…

The morning began with Sawyer in his Lightning McQueen pajamas, playing with blocks:

Look at the concentration:

Warming himself by the fire (my favorite Christmas tradition):

Yep, looking for cars:

And pretty happy about what he’s getting:

Cars:

More cars, please:

I see Doc Hudson and Sarge:

Either talking cars or puzzles with PePa:

I’m guessing cars:

Or maybe it was ceiling fans:

Yep:

What’s over there:

Finishing up the day in his Choo Choo Train pajamas with MeMa:

It’s hard to believe that was just over a month ago. Time sure does fly!

Even now, well over a month after he got it, Sawyer still loves to look into his flashlight — while it’s on, of course. Here he is just minutes after the gift was given:

That’s better:

Nope, right back to it:

Okay:

I’m not sure what he expects to see either. Maybe he likes seeing spots. I love the tent too, I only wish we had room for it here. I know he’ll be thrilled to see it the next time we’re home.

Thank you, Mema and Pepa T for such a thoughtful gift. I never would have considered getting him one, but it’s one of his favorite things to play with.

Get ready for cute overload.

He woke up to find three birthday balloons:

His favorite was the one with Dora, Boots, and Diego playing soccer:

Stamps!

A choo-choo train and bing-bing-bing crossing:

Patiently waiting for his next present:

And moving way too slow at the unwrapping:

Fire cuck!

Back to the stamps:

Here you go, Momma:

Very happy:

Wee-ohh, wee-ohh, wee-ohh:

Studying everything new:

Making his move:

Gotcha:

You stand here:

Wee-ohh again:

Talking to Uncle Kevin while he plays:

Oh, I see how this works:

Anything else in here?

Nope:

No, really. There’s nothing in there, Sawyer:

I’m gonna make this next (really, he’s going to convince me to do it for him):

Abby put his garage together while he napped:

Later in the day, we skyped with our parents to sing happy birthday to him:

Wearing his #2 shirt from Mema and Pepa T and playing with his new cars from Mema and Pepa D:

Note sure about the candle:

More interested in the cars:

So serious, Sawyer:

Candle, again:

Looking to Momma for guidance:

So sweet:

It took him a couple of minutes to fully comprehend the awesomeness of his new garage (it really is amazing, Abby did a phenomenal job of discovering it and then finding one to buy):

But he took to the cars right away:

Skyping:

Here’s one very happy two year old:

He played with his new garage for a solid hour while we skyped with my brother and sister. He was so focused on his new cars and garage that he barely paid any attention to the rest of us. It was nearly impossible to get him away from it and into the shower. He finally fell asleep at 10pm. I’d say he had a very good day.

Thanks again to each of our families for helping us celebrate his second birthday, I can’t wait to see you again this weekend!

MeMa and PePa Truitt, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle Kevin (cousins Laney and Simon too) were so inspired by Sawyer’s counting lemons video that they made him one of their own:

I played it for him before his nap, but he was much too tired to pay attention. Four hours later, and after a big pasta dinner, he and I watched it ten times in a row! Each time it ended, he said, “again.”

I can’t wait to see him with you. Just over three weeks to go!

My Mom and Dad came out for a long weekend in San Francisco a few weeks ago. I was so busy I didn’t get to take any pictures until the night before they left, and of course by that time Sawyer was too tired to sit still, so nothing really turned out all that well. Fortunately, I did get three great videos of Sawyer singing and playing.

This must have been from one morning during the week. Sad to say I’m lost in my computer instead of paying attention to him, but Sawyer doesn’t seem to mind much. He’s much more focused on his cars and singing “tinkle, tinkle” to himself:

Here he is again singing to and dancing for Aunt Sarah over skype:

Finally, Sawyer plays cars with Ppa while Meema takes pictures. He was really attached to the Mini and only referred to the Audi as Ppa’s car, even though Abby bought it because it’s my dream car (this is likely as close as I’ll ever get to one). You’ll see how he enforces his ownership by refusing to let Ppa hold the Mini:

Wait until he finds out that Meema drives a Mini!

It’s such a treat to have my parents here, but it’s increasingly difficult to say goodbye. Sawyer grows and gains so much with their care and attention, plus Abby and I get a small chance to exhale and relax. If only the weather would cooperate when you visit!

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for coming out west to stay with us. I can’t wait to come home and see you again in December!