Dexter was a very good boy while we were in Kansas. It didn't snow, but he didn't mind. He got to play outside a lot. He saw a bunch of real cows when his grandpa took him to the feedyard where he works. He saw real horses that didn't have cops sitting on top of them. He petted dogs and alternately petted and terrorized my parents' cat. He played with wood, dragged around a tumbleweed and touched a cow skull that was in my parents' yard. (It was NOT a decoration!) He loved running up and down the wheelchair ramp. He didn't know what to do with so much room to run around in.
He visited the nursing home that his grandma works at. She's always showing off her brag book of Dexter pictures, so I thought it would be nice for him to visit in person. He was a little shy, but he warmed up a little after a little while. He even helped clean the kitchen when he spotted a broom. He swept for a few minutes and didn't cry at all when he had to say goodbye to it.
We saw a lot of family. We spent time with both Mr. Cobra's family and mine. Dexter got to meet lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. He played at Great Grandma's house too. He was really shy with everyone at first. As time went on though, he warmed up faster and faster. We started making it a game by having him give strangers a high-five. It was a great ice-breaker and by the end of our trip he would pick out people and give them a five even if we didn't know them. He loved running around between a group of people giving everyone a five. He didn't let anyone hold him though. He didn't even let grandma hold him until right before we left.
He said a few people's names, but the funniest was his cousin, Demarco. Dexter calls him "Marmo". Demarco wasn't too wild about his new name, but it was super cute. After we got home, Dexter picked him out on their photo holiday card and said "Marmo". I plan to keep out a lot of photos of family for that very reason. He kind of says Grandma and Grandpa, but not consistently. He also says his Aunt Becky's name fairly well.
It didn't feel like much of a vacation though. We had to work or check-in on things most nights after his 10pm CST bedtime. During the day, we were herding Dexter all day, going shopping and visiting. It was exhausting. Dexter also hasn't slept completely through a night for a while, and the traveling made him wake up 3 or more times a few nights. He ate well though. Too well.
Dexter had many foods at Grandma's that he probably won't get again until he goes back. He ate ice cream, marshmallows, fudge, and lots of steak and potatoes. He had 2 pieces of pumpkin pie. That's his favorite "pum-pie!" Marshmallows are a close second though.
I think one of the funniest thing Dexter did was to laugh at Grandpa snoring. That happened a few different nights. My dad was tired from stying up late and going to work really early in the morning, as in 4am early. Dexter just found it hilarious when Grandpa fell asleep and snored really loud. Grandpa snored, Dexter laughed, Grandpa snored, Dexter laughed.
Opening gifts was kinda funny too. Anyone with kids knows that you can't open a baby toy in front of them. It takes 5 minutes or more to get the toy out of the box. It is even harder when little tiny hands are yanking on it and the recipient is starting to whine because you aren't giving him his new toy. He got a bunch of new toys and clothes. He disappeared for a while when he took his new cars for a spin all over the basement floor. He also got a zebra that he can bounce on. He calls it a "bike". Anything he can ride on is a bike.
It was good to go back for a bit. It wasn't nearly long enough because it went by so fast. Having a toddler during Christmas is awesome, but wow there is something about those little people that saps your energy and makes time fly by. Everything is blurring by so fast. Even when I try to savor the moment, it's over before I had time to appreciate it. I told Mr. Cobra that I'd have a million kids if they would all just come out as cute as Dexter is right now. He's so awesome. I couldn't ask for a cooler, cuter son.
