Orange striped top, navy and white polka dot pants

When Miss Erica sends a note home saying you need more backup pants in your cubbie, she isn't messing around.

Farewell, Conor

This is a hard one for me. Conor is completing his transition to the toddler room today. He was my nemesis, my boyfriend, my buddy and my partner in crime all in one.

We met when I was three months and he was four months old. Ten and a half months later, we've gone through an awful lot together. Without Conor, I might never have learned to crawl or walk. I'll admit that I've spent a lot of my time at the learning center trying to keep up with him.

We didn't always get along. Most mornings, we fought for Miss Erica's attention. When she picked one of us up, the other would whine and pull on her pants until she picked up the other one, too. I was never interested in a toy or book until Conor wanted it and vice versa.

Once or twice during Conor's transition, Miss Susan has allowed me to join him in the toddler room. I think it reminds us that we'll be together again soon. I've even had the chance to reconnect with Ben a bit. The toddler room has great toys, fun things to climb and I'll admit that I'm starting to like the idea of sitting down to a meal with friends.

For now, though, I'm the last of the old crew in the infant room. Until January, I'll keep getting older while the new babies stay the same age. Sigh.

I guess you can just call me
"Wooderson" from now on.

Happy St. Nicholas Day

I still can't say I fully understand what's going on with all of these holidays my parents keep talking about but I can say I like what I see so far. This morning, there was a carton of red and green Goldfish Crackers (my most fav snack) in my Stride Rites. What?!? Awesome.

Enjoying the breakfast of champions

Maybe it's because they aren't German or maybe it's because they don't wear real shoes, yet, but it doesn't seem that any of the other infants received anything. I'm just thankful that I got my fish before my mom got the report from Miss Erica that I am still hitting babies.

Ew.

If I'm not allowed to scream in Starbucks because people are trying to enjoy their breakfasts and finish their novels, I think that the man at the table next to me should have to wear something under his sweatpants. I'm too young to see all of that stuff jingle jangling around. It's gross.

Not okay.

Keeping my options open

For November, it was pretty warm in Chicago this weekend. So I took the opportunity to get my parents out of the house and ventured off to a few of my favorite spots in the neighborhood. Let me tell you, lovely weather really brings out the talent.

First, I met Sam at Starbucks on Saturday. This handsome, bespectacled blond wasn't shy about toddling right up to my highchair to say hello and pat my hand. Usually, I'm pretty outgoing but I was so thrown off by his forward approach that all I could do was stare.

I made note of the time I saw him, hoping that he keeps a tight schedule and made sure to be back at Starbucks the same time Sunday. Sure enough, he and his dad walked in promptly at 9:30. He totally remembered me and came over to play with my stuffed bear. Again, there were too many stars in my eyes to react. I just hugged my bear and swooned until it was time to leave. Oh well. I'll try again next weekend.

Completely stunned.
Sam made me forget all three words I used to know.

I had a little more luck at the park. I promised myself I wouldn't be so shy and would just enjoy myself. Success!

Even though I'm only 13 months old, 18 month old Eli was following me around everywhere I went. He was big into climbing stairs, playing with leaves and shaking the fence like we were trying to escape the tyranny that is a public park in the middle class part of town. In the end, though, I lost my cool when I needed fresh pants. As soon as he saw my mom break out the diaper bag, he was out of there.

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

The weekend was winding down when my parents and auntie took me out for one last trip to the park Sunday afternoon. There, I met a mysterious 12 month old who just learned to walk the day before. I know, I know, he sounds too immature for me but he was actually a lot of fun. He wasn't great at sliding but he knew how to climb and follow me, which is important. He didn't come with a stroller. He must live nearby. I didn't catch his name but his face has been added to my mental rolodex. I'll be on the lookout for him for sure.

Maybe no one said the word "bully"

but I think we all know that's what Miss Erica was trying to call me at parent/teacher conferences last night.

I couldn't believe my ears when she told my mom that I have been hitting the smaller infants in our room and sitting on them. There was no way I could defend myself given that my mom caught me pushing Annabelle off a music stool and taking over the mini piano that very morning. So, I guess I'm busted.

But, could I just take a brief moment to defend myself? Okay, okay, I know it is wrong to hit. I know I'm bigger than pretty much everyone but Conor. I know I wouldn't like it if someone did those things to me.

Here's the thing, though. Someone did do those things to me. Have you not heard of Mackenzie or Julian? This is a rite of passage. I was led to believe that the big kids are supposed to pick on the little kids.

I'm not going to throw an ugly accusation like "hazing" around, but let's be honest; we all have to pay our dues. It makes us stronger. It makes us bond. After a little crying, Annabelle and I are closer than ever and she knows that I get first dibs on the music stool.

If Regina George and Cady Heron can make it work,
I'm fairly certain Annabelle and I can, too.

Maybe I need to work on my intimidation tactics. Maybe an infant who is secure in her seniority doesn't have to be so forceful. I will focus on honing my skills over the next few weeks so that I really leave my mark on the newbies before my transition to the toddler room in December.

The people have spoken

And they want their babies and kids to have organic food. The learning center is addressing the request from several parents to start offering organics.

Since I'm in the infant room, my mom has been bringing my food and organic milk all along [apparently, she doesn't want me to get my period (whatever that is) before I start kindergarten] but I'll admit that I was concerned about the plebeian meals I would be served in the toddler room.

Today, my generation can look at our future with confidence and know that we have options for a brighter tomorrow.

I can't be certain, but I suspect all of the adults I know
have been pretty worked up about menu vote 2012.  
Glad we got that all sorted out.