Liam: Twenty-five Months.
Dear Liam-
Well, it’s been a pretty rough month for the both of us. Mama on bed rest wasn’t the easiest for you to deal with - you don’t enjoy me sitting on the sofa. As a result, I wasn’t as diligent about keeping a list of things you’ve been doing. I’m sure by next month your posts and E’s will become much shorter. I’ll do the best I can, I promise.
As it stands now, I’m too tired to separate the items any more. We’re just going with a general list and pics.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL/PHYSICAL ALL MIXED TOGETHER:
I’m so proud of you. You did wonderfully with the variety of peeps who came to keep me sane.
And we managed not to miss a KM class thanks to Grandmas and Aunties as well.
We have had so many different people over in the past month and you’ve been certain to make friends with everyone. Sharing has been a little interesting, but we’re working on it. It was nice to have some other kids around - particularly vocal Ethan. Since they were here, you’ve calmed down a little on the sympathy cry. Now you don’t cry immediately. You whimper a bit beforehand and immediately say in a wavery voice, “[insert name]’s ok. It’s ok.” Then you cry.
You’ve taken to sharing your “happy face” with us when asked. It is a little frightening, but it will turn into a fake, social smile soon enough. It’s heartfelt for now, at least.
You learned it from your father.
We’re still having some issues with “please” and “thank you” When I ask you what word to use when you want something, you still say, “ax politely,” but you’re getting the hang of the other…it’s just that every time YOU do something, you thank yourself. You’ll learn soon enough that it’s all about getting what you want…and once you do I’m sure you’ll sidle up to me, give me a great big hug, bat your eyes, and say, “want a strawberry milkshake please, mama.” You’ll learn that from your father too.
You need to get out of the house once a day. And really, it’s better for me too. But, the pressure is immense. It can’t just be an outing to the grocery store any more. That is starting to turn into a Numeroff book. If I take you to the store, you want a piece of cheese. If I give you a piece of cheese, you ask for a tomato. If I buy some tomatoes, you say you want a pizza. It goes on and on.
And, since we’re getting out of the house all the time, you want to look your best. You are constantly asking for me to put makeup on your face and hairspray and “junk” in your hair. One day you did it yourself. You looked dashing.
I’ve been a little frustrated lately because you seem to be testing ALL the limits. I know it’s been a rough month and part of it is because you’re two, but as a result, you’ve been spending a little too much time in The Thinking Chair lately. Wonder why.
I have had to make entire rooms Off Limits to you. Really, why must you stand and jump on the furniture?
We’ve also begun to have a few issues with you throwing things. While I was on bed rest, you learned how to play one-way catch - you throw, I catch. However, your overhand is weak and you are making your father insane. He’s also a little concerned that when I tell you to put your hands out to catch, you diligently put them out to the sides and wait for the ball to hit you. Unfortunately, you think it’s ok to throw other things as well. Like I said…Thinking Chair. A LOT.
Instead of talking and saying things like “all done,” you now scream nonsense words and squeal. I’ve taken to turning your chair toward the wall and ignoring you when you do this at mealtimes. I’m pretty sure you’re working on figuring out your emotions, but does that suddenly mean that all language is null and void? You’re certainly willing to talk when you feel like it.
- When you don’t want to do something: “Mama do it.”
- When you don’t want to eat something: “Mama take a bite.”
- When you don’t want your diaper changed: “Mama come get you,” as you run away.
- When you’re upset: “It’s tough, Mama.”
- When you don’t like your choices at mealtimes: “How bout some ice cream?”
- When you want something and you don’t know what it is: “Want some some uh dat.” (This is particularly common with sweets that you don’t even know are sweets. Are you psychic?)
- When you know you’re in trouble: “Hellllloooo, Mama,” in conjunction with hugs and kisses.
- When you want me to listen: “Der’s da excabator, der it is. Der it is, Mama. See da excabator.”
- When prompted in a manner that makes you think it’s your idea: “I’m SUCH a drama queen.”
- When asked what George Bush says: “Blaaah, blaaah, blaaah.”
But you still haven’t figured out how to keep quiet about what you’re doing that you’re not SUPPOSED to be doing. (”Um” is what you call yourself when you are talking too quickly to get out that first syllable.)
- “Um is jumping on the sofa.”
- “Um is kicking the dog.”
- “Um is coloring the carpet green.”
Fortunately for me, we’ve created a gated community for you which allows you in the kitchen, in the dining room with your super cool fort, and in the breakfast nook area. There are no sofas, no crayons within reach, and the dogs can run away from you.
Aside from the ways you choose to entertain yourself at times, I am impressed by your ability to play by yourself. You’re starting to understand the concept of keeping “work” on your mat and will sit and play with puzzles, matching cards, shapes, etc., for quite awhile.
You also like to sing and will do it at naptime and bedtime. The alphabet is becoming less complicated thanks to books like Chica Chicka Boom Boom, but you still skip 15 when counting - however you do like to announce “Theeee number of theee day.”
I am now quite certain that your teeth are never going to come in. They will stay in your jaw and taunt me for the rest of my natural life. We should by stock in Hyland’s Teething Tablets, which you ask for by name. They do help a bit with your napping, and the other morning you slept until 7 - but only because I was up with you for two hours in the night. That was an anamoly, but I don’t think you need as much sleep as you used to.
Please L, I beg of you, KEEP TAKING NAPS. I will die if you don’t nap when your crazy sister arrives.
JUST A FEW OTHER THINGS YOU’RE DIGGING AT THE MOMENT:
- Everyone else’s drinks.
- Showing off.
- Going on a bike ride with Daddy in your trailer.
- Hitting the pool for a cool swim.
You have done such a good job at adjusting this month. I know it hasn’t been easy. You’re turning into an independent pre-schooler. You’re getting to the point where you only do what you WANT to do, the way YOU want to do it. You can handle two and three-step commands, but sometimes you don’t want to - even when I remember to give you choices. (I’ll let you in on a little secret…sometimes I don’t want to do things either.)
I’m proud of you and can’t wait to see what the next month brings. It will be interesting at the least.
I love you Cookie Monster,
Mama
