A beautiful, expressive son who gives me looks like this all day, every day.
Realizing the wonders of the world through E's eyes. He found this pinecone on the ground during our walk and it was his new best friend for the next couple days. He would turn it over in his hands and say, "Wow!" or "Cool!".
I'm grateful that Lexie and E are friends. Honestly, he came running up to her kennel, poked and giggled at her until she left and then crawled in and made himself at home. I've never worried about Lexie around E and she's always been patient with him. That's a lifesaver.
A child that inherited some of my neuroses.
When T saw this picture the following conversation ensued:
T: What's he doing?
K: Oh, it was so cute! After lunch I gave him a couple pretzels and he started placing the peas inside the pretzels.
T: Wow. (Said in a slightly creeped out manner.) That's how we know he's a Bean.
A daddy that loves to help, even if it means that occasionally E's onesies are buttoned outside his pants.
An exploratory child. I introduced E to play-doh this week and he had an absolute blast. At first he cautiously rolled it around in his fingers, tasted a little, spat it out, but then he played non-stop for about 30 minutes.
Good friends. Our friend B came over to play with us a few days this week while her parents were out of town. E loves other kids and it's always fun to see the way "older" children love him.
Once again, a daddy that's involved. This Saturday T asked if he could take E for an outing and give me some homework time. I agreed and he took him to the Bear River Bird Refuge. There E learned all about various bird habitats and even got to chase ducks around the wetlands. (Below)
- He's now counting to 5 although it frequently goes, "two, two, tee, foh, fie!"
- Singing the first 5 letters of the alphabet song, as long as I don't ask him to. He'll sing to himself while he's playing, but if I ask, no way. His lips are sealed.
- Blowing raspberries on our tummies. (This includes Lexie's tummy)
- Saying some of his favorite words from his books like: funny, silly, shine, and fluffy.
- Engaging in conversations with me where his vocal inflections mimic mine.
- Playing "Kiss and Go Seek" where he'll hide somewhere and start making kissing noises because he knows I'll run to find him and give him a kiss.
- Helping me cook. Particularly kneading and eating dough.
- Using manners by saying "pleezh" "q-you" and "sah-ee"
- Saying "Buh-bye" when I lay him down for naps or bedtime and then blowing kisses "mmmm-uh" as I leave.
- Climbing. Onto everything.
- Learning he can push an object he can climb onto in order to scale an object that was originally out of his reach. (ie: using the kitchen chairs to access the table or the top of the piano)
- Refusing to look me in the eyes when I'm talking to him about something he did. I'll say, "No, Ethan we don't tug Lexie's tail. We love Lexie." and E is looking all around the room, but not at me. So I'll hold his hands and then he'll stare up at the ceiling. So then I gently put my hand on the back of his head and try to get him to look at me and he arches his back. Not so much fun.
In any case, I hope the holiday helps all of you count your blessings as well and realize all the beauties of this life.
