(photos illustrating the many faces of Ralph)I’ve been thinking the past few days about just how little we knew four years ago we knew became parents – from those first diaper changes and feedings to swaddling and comforting those sometimes unexplainable cries to his first words and, finally, walking we were learning day by day, sometimes hour by hour and minute by minute right along side. There were times of frustration and stress followed by joy and wonder. Somewhere along the way little Ralph has grown into the boy we have today. He is caring, thoughtful, sharing, timid, anxious, bright, argumentative, sensitive, and imaginative. He has a great memory. He does not know the definition of “hurry up” and tends to take his sweet time.
His favorite day of the week has shifted to Friday (show and tell day) but Tuesday (garbage day) remains a close 2nd. His favorite color remains green but he likes red and blue too. He can write his name and asks to spell words . . . one letter at a time - he'll write about 1/2 the letters and they won't be in any particular order. He likes trying to jump over various items like rugs. He is playing more independently but still likes someone to play with him. He likes most fresh fruit - blueberries, strawberries, grapes, apples, clementines but will hardly touch any vegetables except broccoli and carrots these days. He is fairly predictable in his eating habits and does not have much variety but every once in awhile he'll surprise us by trying something new. I think its just a little luck but he has been doing better lately not coming into our room in the middle of the night. He still tends to wake a little earlier than we'd like most days.
His favorite day of the week has shifted to Friday (show and tell day) but Tuesday (garbage day) remains a close 2nd. His favorite color remains green but he likes red and blue too. He can write his name and asks to spell words . . . one letter at a time - he'll write about 1/2 the letters and they won't be in any particular order. He likes trying to jump over various items like rugs. He is playing more independently but still likes someone to play with him. He likes most fresh fruit - blueberries, strawberries, grapes, apples, clementines but will hardly touch any vegetables except broccoli and carrots these days. He is fairly predictable in his eating habits and does not have much variety but every once in awhile he'll surprise us by trying something new. I think its just a little luck but he has been doing better lately not coming into our room in the middle of the night. He still tends to wake a little earlier than we'd like most days.
His imaginary bunny hibernated for awhile but has returned in the past couple of days. Bunny now has a name - Ralph S. Henry. Birdy has joined Ralph's circle of imaginary friends/pets.
I'm not sure if Ralph is already looking forward to Kindergarten but he knows he has to go through two more rooms at daycare before he goes to Kindergarten. I can't believe I'll have a Kindergartener in a year and a half!
Update from 4 year well child checkup on March 28: Ralph met his new Doctor, Dr. Reynolds, today and started a string of "why" questions with her. We had neglected to answer the question about drawing a person with 3 parts so she asked Ralph to draw a picture of Henry or Daddy. She also quizzed him on colors. All in all, no surprises. He weighed in at 34.4 lbs (36%), measured 40 1/2" (56%), BMI of 14.70 (10-25%), blood pressure of 84/48, and a pulse of 112. I had thought about splitting up his shots but decided to get them over with - 4 pokes later and a few (ie. a lot of) tears he was done. On the way to the car he asked if he would get 5 shots next year since he'd be 5 . . yeah, they should rethink giving 4 shots on the 4 year check up. I kept trying to reassure him he wouldn't have any next year.
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