Priceless

Ralph likes to help us with Henry as much as he can. This video is pretty priceless.

Just like Grandpa . . .

Ralph found some old headphones in the house earlier today. He latches onto them and starts mumbling something about earmuffs. He put on his hat, boarded his trike, and put on his 'earmuffs' . . . and started 'mowing' just like grandpa on his tractor.

Ralph is in the stage of pretend play. Earlier today, after his nap, he tells me he is going to take a nap downstairs. He climbs up on the couch, lays his head on a pillow, and asks me to cover him up. By the time I get back in the kitchen he decides he is awake and seconds later its time for another nap. I think we 'played' this game 5-6 times.

Ralph: Celebrating 27 months!

Ralph's daycare room explored 'beach day' one day last week. Ralph came home sporting a new visor he had decorated with sea shells. As predicted, he had to wear it to 'school' the next couple of days. Ralph and his friends like seeing each other in the morning - every once in awhile one of other kids runs up to him and stops inches away . .and they just look at each other. "Huggies" I proclaim and they usually hug each other. Tomorrow, the dynamics of the room will change a bit as most of the girls will be moving up to the Transition room . . . and will be replaced by mostly boys.

Since transitioning to the big (twin) bed Ralph was content waiting for someone to greet him in the morning, until a few weeks ago. A baby gate stops Ralph from escaping his room during sleep times but Ralph will now climb out of his bed, open his door, and (most of the time) say "Daddy" or "Mommy" a few times until he is rescued. This morning I think he got of bed, turned his little lamp on, and crawled back into bed for awhile before he decided he was done playing by himself.

Ralph is taking swimming lessons at the Y. We have conquered two sessions; four to go. The first session he kept asking to go home, proclaiming he was all done. Yesterday he did not ask to go home until the last five minutes - I think we are making a little progress. He is getting a little more brave but still isn't quite sure about much of it.

Ralph is doing pretty well with his numbers 1-10. Surprisingly #3 is the most often missed number - only surprising since most times we count off it's 1-2-3-up/go/etc.

“Just a little bit” and “Right there” are the most common phrases right now other than "no". "Just a little bit" covers quite a few responses. He is usually very particular when he wants something to be positioned or set somewhere - "right there".

We have added flags to our game of "I spy" when driving around. Basketball hoops are hard to spy on the main streets.

This morning we ventured out to Antelope Park for the first time. Ralph is very laid back in his play. He liked to climb up and down the stairs and ramps but was not big on the slides. He did go down a few slides near the end. As laid back as he is its is hard tell when he is having a good time. We left just before the rain started as Ralph is whining for "more park." Ralph spent most of the day reciting "Rain, Rain go Away . . . " It took me a little by surprise - he must have learned it at school since we didn't teach him.

Ralph has discovered the race car carts and "Customer in Training" carts at HyVee. I'm not sure which he likes more, it just depends on his mood. He can move quite fast when pushing the "CIT" carts.

Henry: Celebrating 6 months!

Henry and I got to welcome in his 6-month birthday together this morning as he woke up just before 4 am and was still eating at 4:21 am. The last week has seen improvements in his sleeping; five of the last seven nights he has slept until at least 4 am! We continue to be optimistic that he will sleep more consistently soon.

Henry is bound to catch some flies sooner or later. He has such a wide open smile. Every once in a while he'll tone it down into a more 'normal' smile.

We are continuing with our 'bad habit' of rocking/feeding him to sleep. I have noticed he will start playing with his ear when he is getting close to falling asleep as he is being rocked.

Henry is definitely not gathering any moss. He rolls around or he moves around in circles. He does get his little butt up in the air often but hasn't quite coordinated the rest of his body yet. We did see him get up on his hands today briefly.

No teeth have appeared yet. He likes to gnaw on most anything his hands can grasp - his clothes, other people's clothes, his fingers, other people's fingers, toys, etc.

He has tried rice cereal a little more this past week but I think he usually wears more of it then he eats. Henry did try a little mashed potatoes today.

Henry has a sensitive side. If one of the kids in his room at daycare starts crying a lot Henry will also cry; he does not like to see his 'friends' upset.

In celebration of turning 6-months (and the cloud covered sky) today, Henry tried out the baby swing on Grandpa & Grandma's swing set. He seemed to enjoy it.

Update from Henry's 6-month well child check up: Henry spent most of the visit circling around the examination table . .and trying to eat the paper on the exam table.
Weight: 14 pounds 7 ounces (5%)
Height: 25.75" (22%)
Head: 14.25" (50%)
All in all, a fine visit. It did take him a little longer to recover from the shots this time around but not as bad as another youngster I know.