Tristan’s getting his lower molars in. They were huge and bumpy under the gum for a while, and now they are beginning to break through. Remarkably, he’s not been in as crappy a mood as he was in just around his birthday, but he’s definitely very high maintenance these days to keep it that way.

But it’s getting difficult to entertain him, as he can’t be left outside anymore! We went to the Children’s Museum yesterday, and there’s a big park adjacent to wander through. The museum time was wonderful, but then we went to walk in the park and watch for airplanes. (By the way, he is FASCINATED by airplanes lately. Whenever he thinks he hears one, he watches and watches and gets excited when he sees it..) Unfortunately, he walked over to the first dirt area and started shoving rocks in his mouth. And this happens wherever there are rocks or woodchips to be played with. I’m ok with him putting dirt in his mouth – it’s gross, but it won’t kill him. The rocks and woodchips, however, scare me as choking hazards. I really need some advice here! I try to keep it low-key when dealing with Stuff in the Mouth as to not generate a preference for getting attention that way, but that’s sort of hard as it involves invading his mouth to remove the offending material. And he’s a ninja – by the time I’ve spotted what it is he might pick up, it’s in his mouth. I know that this won’t last forever but he’s in for a damn lot of trips to the mall if he can’t play outside without trying to be suicidal.