Meet The Loopholer

My son seems to have inherited my most favorite (rolls eyes) trait from his father (it's only 'father' when it's something bad, btw!) - he finds every single loophole there is and exploits it to no end.

Now, I'm sure every kid goes through this phase (it's a phase, right!?!?!) but if he doesn't look just like his father whenever he attempts it, I would think otherwise. It's like I'm watching Matias trying to get one over on me. And let me tell you, that gig was up YEARS ago, my friends. There is no pulling any such thing past me but whoa does this Fellow of mine sure try.

He is no longer allowed to freely roam around our bathroom and he knows this. BUT he will sit right outside the door, and scoot backwards inch by tiniest of inches until he just happens to have moved himself completely into the bathroom. The look on his face the entire time is very much I wonder how I keep getting closer to this place I know I'm not supposed to be, how does this keep happening? Scoot, scoot, wonder, wonder, scoot. Also he will throw a ball, typically a cat toy, in there because you know he's not supposed to throw things without going to retrieve them so in essence he is not doing anything Wrong.

LOOPHOLER.

Same thing with the stairs to downstairs when Dada is working - he throws anything he can get his hands on with the excuse of going to get it. And trust me, he knows he isn't supposed to go down there when Dada is working, but he will find a way that is legitimate if not approved of at his juncture.

Same thing with going outside in the back - there are times when that is just not going to happen - be it falling rain, freezing cold, or dark of night. My little Loopholer will beckon the cats to come hither so that he might unlock and open the door for THEM to go out. He's not really opening it for himself, but simply so that the cats might enjoy the night air or perhaps relieve themselves outside as Mystic is want to do.

I often wonder if there is some hidden audience he turns to after accomplishing each Loophole and gives them a sly wink or a brisk nod of the head before being noticed by us Unsuspecting Adults. Little boy, let me tell you a little something, Mama has been dealing with The Loophole for many years now & is fully versed in your LiamLogic Loopholer Ways and will not be fooled, tricked or look how cute he is-ed out of recognizing the gig as soon as you hit play.

I'm sure it's been fun while it lasted but your time is up, Little Loopholer, I'm so onto you; you won't be able to scoot backwards fast enough.

Smooches to my Loopholer, Mama loves you anyways :)

Sssssh. Don't tell.

I'm not sure if Matias would be embarrassed or not for me telling y'all (all 5 of you!) this but it's too cute that I have to share...

He has his own nickname for Liam (beyond Fellow) that just makes me smile & starts my day off right every morning. Matias goes & gets Liam in the morning (mostly cause I cannot change a diaper before coffee & walk in a straight line if I jump out of bed), changes his diaper & brings him back to bed with us to have his bottle & read some books.

Every morning when he opens the door & picks him up he says "hello Boy!" and then smothers him with kisses. I can hear this from the bedroom & I'm serious there is nothing that makes me smile wider than to hear him say that & for Liam to say "DADA!" right back at him.

New nicknames!

Here's a sampling of the names that float around the house on any given occasion -

• Mr. Destructo
• Stink
• Bebe

I'm drawing a stupid blank now - I planned to write about this a while ago & just got the chance to do it now & now I'm blanking!

I'm sure you can discern why we would call a budding Toddler Mr. Destructo...he is like a hurricane, this one. Part of me loves it cause he's active & exploring & having a grand ol' time but then, after hours, part of it cannot stand it cause someone has to clean up the path of this Mr. Destructo. We've become our own FEMA.

One really funny thing he does (to which I call him my Sea Otter) is he takes the remotes off the area rugs to throw them against the hardwood floors, thus making it easier to get the blasted batteries out of them! GENIUS! But, oh so annoying!

Can you say "hands full"?

Mr. Destructo would also much rather toss his Gears & Wheels toy on the ground scattering the wheels this way & that instead of sitting nicely and playing "proper".

Mr. Destructo would also much rather throw his wooden stacking 'parts' behind the laptop/stereo entertainment center than stack them on the proper poles. Although, in all fairness, he has started to actually stack them this week.

Mr. Destructo would also much rather pull his entire basket of books off the ottoman rather than take one out at a time. I've tried to put the basket on the floor but that only encourages him to make a mess on a consistent basis rather than just when the wild hair is up his butt. I'll deal with the wild hair moments, thank you.

He is now saying "bebe" so I will continue to call him that along with all the other bebes he finds and points out to me.

Stink usually is a prelude to Mr. Destructo - it's like that little devilish behavior is just building up & not quite ready to morph into full on hurricane force destruction - call it a tropical storm, if you will.

Monkey takes the brunt of Mr. Destructo (quite happily, I might add) while Mystic takes the hit from Stink (not as happily, I might add). In fact, Mystic gets hissed at by Stink, while Monkey gets laughed at (or with, I cannot decide).

When does Hurricane Season end for Toddlers? October, right??