Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Dylan

It comes as no surprise that sweet little Dylan is not the most gentle child, but he seems to be getting rougher.

Sometime it's cute -- his running-start kisses and strangulation hugs. This weekend he was playing with one of Kelsie's dolls and pretending to put it to sleep. He'd say "Baby go nap," and sing "Rock a baby .. rooooooccccck a baby," while holding the doll with both of his arms fully extended out in front of him. Then, out of nowhere he'd throw the baby onto the floor, run to yank it up by its head and start the process over again. I wish I had that one on camera -- pretty funny.

But other times it's not as cute. He hit Kelsie in the head with a toy this weekend hard enough to split the skin. And tonight he tried to bite her because she wasn't sharing the bath toy.

I'm hoping it's just a phase. And that Kelsie's patience lasts. After he hit her head (and after the ice pack, tears and time-out), she told him, "I forgive you, Dylan. I love you. You're my best brother."

In the meantime we're trying to find the trigger that sets him off (it's often Kelsie) and a discipline method that he responds to. Haven't found either yet.

Good thing he's cute.

Dylan's 2!

Yesterday was the 4-1-1, also known as Dylan's birthday, and we've had quite a weekend. It rained all day yesterday so the kids had fun playing with Dylan's new toys. Then we had some good friends over for Easter dinner/birthday cake last night (another 4-year old and 2-year old, which works out nicely). This morning the Easter bunny visited us, and then we packed up and went to the Bronx Zoo once the rain cleared.

Now that he's 2, Dylan has officially graduated to annoying little brother status. Last night Kelsie slammed her bedroom door on him and yelled, "get out of here, you TWO YEAR OLD!!"

Here's what happens when I send Brian to Toys'R'Us.


Trying to figure out his new remote control car from Grammie and Grampa. He has a tendency to keep pushing the go button while chasing the car to catch it (if he'd just stop pushing the button it would be much easier).


Drunk on chocolate cake:


Up close and personal with an alligator:


Kelsie the gopher:


They really liked the educational computer screens:


Who needs lions, tigers and bears when you have goldfish?


Feeding the goat:


This was probably my favorite part of the zoo trip. This gorilla was incredibly social. She was posing for pictures and literally smiling for us. She made clear eye contact with Dylan and grinned for him -- she must have known it was his birthday weekend!


Now on to the Terrible Twos.