If You Give a Tate Tot a Cookie

Little Tate celebrated his birthday this past week -- his second!! All week I told him about his birthday -- that you get treats and presents and everyone celebrates you. We planned to have a very small gathering with a few friends. I let him "help" me make cookies (don't worry -- I thoroughly washed his hands and constantly checked to be sure he wasn't putting his fingers in his mouth), which was a pretty hilarious endeavor. He mostly just crushed the dough and I had to redo all of the cookie balls.
He got most of his birthday presents from family when they visited, but we gave him a little zoo, which he liked - and especially loved the tractor, as it is the only thing on wheels.
Tate's very favorite book is "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," so we invited a few friends over for cookies and singing. Although Tate is a very gregarious little guy when he's around us, we are quickly learning that he doesn't love being the center of the attention (maybe a little more like his dad in that regard?). He definitely was not into having everyone sing him a birthday song.Everyone was trying their hardest to get Tate to smile, which is why I'm laughing. Of course, Tate didn't bat an eyelash.


Don't read this next part if you don't appreciate a mother's indulgence on her love for her baby boy, but I love, I love, I love this funny kid. His little voice melts my heart and his fun personality is so engaging and downright adorable. He is all boy, loving anything on wheels and always sending his fork full of food up into the "sky" and landing in his mouth (complete with narration and sound effects). He talks up quite a storm these days - a few of my favorites:
1. "Hi Mom." or "Hi Dad." or "Hi Summer." or "Hi Uncle Matt." or "Hi Cami." - these are his favorite people to say hi to. He usually says it with a blank face and then runs away.
2. "Oh no! This happened!" -- whenever really anything happens. Like, his cars fall off the pillow, or whatever.
3. "Up in the clouds! Flying in the sky." -- again, usually with forkfuls of food, but also with any object
4. "Read on the couch? Mom?"
5. "Elmo's soooooooooong!" He loves Sesame Street's "Elmo's Song" and really loves to do the big finish at the end.

Okay, that's enough gushing. It will only happen once a year. Maybe. :)
In case you're curious about his vocal stylings - and his toddler-esque ability to be adorable, and then whiny, within five seconds, you can watch the video below.