Henry: Officially a Walker!

Henry has officially become a walker in the last few weeks. I thought he had his first steps back in December but he did not continue to build on his independence for a few weeks. Just after January 6 he started to show his independence a little more. I'd get reports from daycare that he took 8 steps in the gym or he was taking more steps here and there. He spent most of this weekend on his feet as he was chasing a balloon around. I think it's safe to say, Henry is a walker!

Ralph: Celebrating 34 months!

Some days I look at Ralph and can't believe my baby is almost 3, other days I can't believe he is only 2. As he told me tonight, sometimes he is goofy, sometimes he is silly, and sometimes he is funny. Its fun to watch him laugh when he thinks he is funny. I love his innocence and the sparkle in his eyes when he smiles.

Ralph is becoming a little singer. He will re-enact the songs he sang at the daycare's Christmas program. He also sings "Jesus Loves Me" and other snip-its of songs he learns at daycare.

This morning I accidentally unplugged Henry's alarm clock/cd player. I asked Ralph to look at his clock and tell me what numbers he sees - I overhear him say 6 - 3 - 2, thinking if it's close that's good enough. After I set Henry's clock I walk into Ralph's room, his clock read 6:33.

Ralph is into matching clothes. I wore my red sweater one day; he had to wear his. I wore red (maroon) corduroy pants today; he had to wear his (black Husker pants w/ red stripe). In the past he liked his briefs to match his shirt but lately if we want to persuade him to wear something it helps if we have something similar on. I had hoped to get him to wear corduroy pants but he choose to match color instead, sort of.

He likes taking things to daycare to put in his cubby. I don't think they are an issue (and hope someone will tell me if they are). Sometimes it's the littlest thing - like the letter "T" magnet that is from our fridge. We did have to stop him from taking "Saltdoggy" one day since "Saltdoggy" is his animal of choice to take to bed. Usually we will humor him if it does not seem like a distraction.

Ralph seems to have a feminine side. Twice this week when I got to daycare to pick him up he had a skirt from the dress up box. He also received (took?) a bracelet from a girl in his class that he had to bring home. He also likes wearing his (Lightning McQueen) ring.

Ralph fell out of bed for the first time a few weeks ago. He decided to move his pillow to the opposite end of the bed, where there is no railing. It was still early in the evening; Mike and I were downstairs when we heard a 'thud', luckily Ralph didn't react that much. I just put him back in bed and left his room.

Going to bed seems to be getting easier; read a few (okay, sometimes 5-6) books, turn off lights, someone sits on his floor for a few minutes and we say our 'night-night's. He will still mention 'I just want someone to lay with me' but accepts it when no one will. He has started asking for water and other things to prolong going to bed. Some nights he wants his door open (baby gate still at the door), some nights I can hear him through the monitor for up to 20 minutes before he falls asleep, and for awhile he chose not to play his music but wanted it on tonight.

Henry: Celebrating 13 months!

Henry's tooth count has increased to 4 as the other front tooth on the top has emerged. It looks as though part of the first top tooth already has a chip in it.

I'm not sure if Henry is going through a little growth spurt but his eating seems to have exploded in the last few days. Tonight's supper consisted of 4 meaty sticks, 1 jar of stage 3 food, and 1 tub of stage 2 food. He also sampled some of our supper. We try to be better about feeding him regular food but sometimes time is against our side and the meaty sticks are a quicker way to go. He is completely on whole milk - and protesting the use of the sippy cup. We should be a little more encouraging, but once again, we just want to get the milk in him.

Henry is 2 for 4 this week in sleeping all night. He seems to go to sleep okay, staying asleep is a challenge. Unfortunately, when he does wake up it takes a good hour and half or more to get him back to sleep (have not found a quicker way to get him back to sleep unfortunately). Our best theory is separation anxiety - or an insomniac - though it changes frequently.

I had marked down December 19 as the date Henry took his first steps but he has not been consistent. Every once in awhile we'll catch him taking a step or two but anytime we encourage walking by holding onto a hand or two he gets jello legs after a bit. He did take about 4 steps tonight towards Ralph who was holding Henry's sippy cup. I have seen him get off the couch feet first a few times with adult supervision. He likes to make a beeline toward the bathroom and climb up the stepstool Ralph uses and hold onto the sink (we are starting to learn to keep the door closed to prevent the potential disaster).

His language skills are stuck at da-da. Once in awhile it seems like he imitates a sound - usually the intonation may be close but the vocalization is not. I think we are getting closer to signing "more" - he'll imitate once in awhile but not consistently. If he thinks someone is taking a toy is wants or his playing with he'll just scream to get someone's attention. He does love flipping through books by himself and being read to.

Henry is an entertainer. He likes to put things on his head. He also likes playing peak-a-boo - I spied him playing it in the car seat yesterday. He likes seeing people's reactions and playing off them. He also imitates people's actions. Apparently he blows kisses at daycare. His wave has turned into a opened/closed hand wave. He also knows he is a big flirt with his smile. (which, of course, I could not capture today).