picky, picky

We are finally experiencing a short break from the grandparent love here at casa t'pon, although the in-laws are on their way back...  I don't really want to talk about that just now as it causes me undue stress and I am already battling a rather tricky patch of eczema from this past weekend.* I would rather talk about a particularly thrilling developmental milestone that Bean has passed.

For those of you who have been with us for a while, you will recall that I have a particular fascination with nose goblins. And, up until the other day, Bean showed little or no interest in following in his mother's footsteps, no desire to carry on the family tradition of boogie-slaying. He was, as a matter of fact, almost content to simply offer them refuge and solace, a human refugee camp for all manner of snot.  "Give us your green and sticky, your crunchy clusters yearning to plug the nasal passageways. The wretched slimey from your teeming sinuses..."  And when I was faced with the task of rescuing him from all of the harm that these unwanted intruders can bring, he would scream as if I was burning his very soul, as if I was wrestling from him the only loves he had ever known. I was, to say the least, disappointed.

But, on the occasion of his first birthday party, Bean delivered an unexpected and totally wonderful surprise to me.  It was, as if, he was thanking me for all of the work and dedication of the past 12 months.  A sign that he was in fact learning something from his interactions with me, gleaning some of my wisdom.  The first glimmer that he would eventually be able to exist on his own.

Bean, with absolutely no prompting or assistance from me, picked his nose -- at first, tentatively, and then with a passion and abandon rarely seen in a child so young. The kid went to town, exploring the advantages of the pinkie finger over the index, discovering that while the thumb may separate us from monkeys, it is a total waste when it comes to panning for nose gold.

I will say that he is not quite as effective as I would like at actually extracting the offending interlopers. But, I am just pleased as punch that he is making the attempt.  For those of you who may have been in attendance at the party, I can with 76% confidence tell you that the fingers he used for the nose-picking were NOT the fingers he used to eat icing off the cake.

I believe that it might mark the first time that he has taken proactive measures to prevent me from doing something the he cannot stand. He still resists and protests, with every ounce of his 22.7 lbs, when I make an attempt to hasten the process.  Which gives me a moment of pause. Yesterday, as I was approaching with my Puffs Plus he stuck his finger right up there as if to say "Mom, I got this covered. No need to concern yourself.  The situation is under control."  It could be that he and the nose goblins are conspiring against me.  That they are working together to continue living in sin. 

Perhaps it is best to continue to monitor the situation, but for now, I am just thrilled.

* for those of you who still suspect that I am exaggerating about the in-laws, witness the gift that was ceremoniously presented to Bean on the occasion of his first birthday.  We, by the way, specifically requested books this year.

Comments

[Chag]

You should've said, "That drum kit is for Grandma's house ONLY."

[buffi]

I know you were so proud.

Yes, my kids got an instrument kit like that once. It's still at Gray & Gram's house. And there it shall stay.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAN!!

[MoMo]

The picking will never, ever stop now...especially when you're in public and someone starts to say how cute your kid is until he sticks his finger so far up his nose that the person turns away in disgust...oh wait, maybe that's just my kid!

[stefanierj]

We got a train set...the obnoxious one with the bells, whistles and "all aboooooard" sounds? Yeah, that'd be us. It lives in the attic until Gramma and Granddaddy come to visit.

And as for nose picking, well, I think Bean is now qualified to pick his OWN wing man...and Heavy D is ready to apply!

[Holly]

So THAT's why my sanity is slowly slipping away... we have those same musical instruments in our home. Making a note now to get rid of them... post haste.

T'pon... you never fail to make me laugh. Nose goblins, ah, my aching belly. I totally know what you mean, I have always had to same obsession. But the way you describe it is just... brilliant.