Monkeys, cats, and roller toys

All of the parenting books suggest that if you try and get your child attached to a "lovey," a stuffed animal or blanket or something, that it be small, portable, and easily replaceable. That made sense. So Jonathan and I introduced Xander (for months and months now) to a stuffed tiger, a teddy bear, and a mouse. But no. He refused them all. So what does he suddenly latch onto this week? Behold Blue Monkey.

The monkey is the first thing Jonathan got him, he won it at Dave and Buster's at his guy baby shower. Of course it's what Xander loves! Blue Monkey goes everywhere with him now.

He gives it lots of hugs. And then Mommy and Daddy have to hug it too. Monkeys need love just like the rest of us!

These were the Legos close up, by the way. Jonathan had fun. Xander handed him colors and they went with an Egypt theme: pyramid, obelisk, and river yacht.

It's been 17 months, but Osher's finally coming around!

Xander looks happier than Osher does, to be admitted, but they're cuddling nonetheless.

This is the roller toy he so loved at the mall. Yes, his outfit is sportswear. But it's warm, matching, and actually looks quite good with his skintone. :) Besides, we don't want to predispose him to geek-hood any more than we already are (meaning, with us as parents, he stands no chance of being normal).

In the morning, about ready to go off to school. Imagine what I look like at the end of the day. :)

Now it is off to New York for a conference. I get to celebrate my 29th birthday locked in a room of rabbinical students discussing interfaith marriage. Woohoo!