Preschool Update

Ian's preschool has been going for several months now and he loves it. He is learning all about letters, the sounds they make, colors, sharing and sitting still for more than 3 seconds. He also became a much cleaner eater overnight -- he now is allowed to wear clothes when he eats! He can even say small snippets of the Pledge of Allegiance. Most of all he is becoming more comfortable interacting with his peers and seems to be feeling more independent. I think Joseph is also enjoying his claim on 2 hours with mom all to himself.

I just finished my 3 weeks of teaching. On the last day we took a field trip to a local pumpkin patch and petting zoo. The pumpkins didn't interest the kids at all, and the animals only kept Ian's attention for a moment. He definately did not want to feed the animals any hay.

But this farm had zeroed in on the fantasy of every preschool boy -- balls, trucks, tractors and boats. They had footballs scattered all over the 7 acres, as well as dozens of minature and full-sized tractors for the kids to climb on and ride. Notice the football stowed on the backseat.

 There was even an old speedboat the kids could steer.

Joseph had a great time chasing the chickens...

 ... touching pumpkins....

 ... crawling under fences...

... and riding on the back of the stroller ("like a garbage man" as Ian puts it) .
 

We will definately go back. I had a great time watching the kids -- they would be playing on something and then spot another tractor or ball or slide out of the corner of their eye, run over there and play with it for a split second before they spotted some other fun thing and run over to it instead. They were in heaven. 

Halloween

 

Halloween was so fun this year! Ian went Trick-or-Treating for the first time and had a great time. As for Joseph, I would describe it as the best night of his life! He thoroughly enjoyed wearing that adorable fish costume we borrowed from some friends and was delighted to march up to each house (at his own pace) and climb up and down the steps, over and over. He didn't want to be rushed and would often get to the sidewalk only to turn around and try to walk up to the same house again. He loved holding my hand while walking down the center of the street, and you would not have even guessed it was almost 2 hours passed his bedtime!

 

Joseph was in such a jolly mood. He laughed, breathed audibly (which he does when he is really enthusiastic) and chattered to me while we followed along behind Ian and Dad. Several times Joseph just parked himself in the middle of the street to sit down and riffle through his bucket. When his little legs were ready for more he was up and at 'em to cut across more grass and inspect more front steps. Joseph probably would have continued on until he fell asleep on his feet. A few times Ian squatted down inside his whale costume and said "I am just going to take a little break for a minute. I just need two little rests."

  Ian got the "tricker-treat" routine down quick and had a hard time at first not stopping to eat each candy after he got it. I overheard him telling his nursery leader the next day that "lots of girls" gave him all the candy. I think he was remembering one house where elementary age girls ran out to meet us in the street and were dumping handfuls of candy in buckets to help their parents get rid of it. And when we walked past a second time they did it again. So even though Joseph only knocked at 4 houses he came home with half a bucket of candy!

We didn't spend any time handing out candy -- we went to our friends incredible Halloween bash instead before we went Trick or Treating! We had a great time and it all made for the perfect "first" Halloween for our boys. Unfortunately now Ian feel entitled to a piece of "trick or treat from my pumpkin" each time he goes potty, and to my dismay Joseph has begun to say 'candy' (nanny).

Potty Training

Ian's potty training. And I hate to jinx it, but it's going well. Aside from some miss-placed #2s, he's been dry since the morning we started, last Wednesday. He was delighted when he first placed a #2 in a toilet when we werea t Jason's Deli last weekend. He keeps reminding me of it.

When an accident occured at church last week and I was cleaning him up in the nursing room with some of my friends around, Ian wispered "Are you embarrassed that I put the poopy in my underwear instead of the toilet? How sweet! And no, I was not, and I told him so. Wish us continued success!

Joseph is ONE!

Scott hadn't left for work yet when Joseph woke up, so his first birthday treat was waking up to daddy! But first things first: you must insert the binkie before the festivities can begin.

The boys and I did a little decorating for the occasion. Mostly I blew up balloons and wound crepe paper around everything, while they followed behind and tore it down. I guess it all became part of the entertainment.

Here Ian was sneaking a peak at Joseph's presents.

Ian wanted to help open the presents, but tried so hard to let Joseph do it. Joseph hadn't the slightest interest in doing it however.

Scott hit a homerun when he picked out this school bus. Joseph loved it, and perhaps Joseph may even get a turn playing with it. Eventually.

A remarkable thing has happened in the weeks since Joseph's birthday -- Ian seems to respect and appreciate Joseph now that Joseph has cool toys of his own to trade.

Joseph starting eating before we even blew out the candle. Unlike his big brother who ate nothing but homemade babyfood and milk until his first birthday, this kid is no stranger to sweet treats and knew just what to do! (Sadly, I can't figure out how to post video in the new blogger editor. Does anyone know how to switch back to the old editor?)

Pausing to reflect on aging.

Arriving at the point where the thought of eating more makes him gag.

Raise your hand if you are ready for a bath!

  The aftermath.

The party animal is now all ready for bed.

We had lots of fun celebrating Joseph's first birthday. I was so glad we decided to come home from New Orleans a day early so he wouldn't wake up to his birthday in a hotel bathroom, and then spend the rest of it in a car.

Joseph is a joy to have in our family. Those first few fussy, acid-refluxy months gave no indication of who our little Joseph truly was. He has grown into an energetic and affectionate, easy-going little buddy. He is so engaging and loves to look people in the eye. He frequently crawls into my lap in order to lay his head on my shoulder for a moment before running off to do something else. He greets strangers with "Hi!" and an enthusiastic wave. He sleeps 12 hours every night and loves to take a nap. His blanket and binkie are his constant sidekicks. He adores his big brother and puts up with a lot of shoving in order to be Ian's shadow. He seems to be so aware of his body and can make it function how he wants it too, as evidenced by rolling at 2 months, crawling at less then 6 months, and walking at 9 months! He can also sit on a chair for extended periods of time while coloring or using (eating) playdough.

So far he says "Daddy, dada, mamma, banana (nan-nana), Ian (Eeeee), hi (eye!) and cheese (eeeze!)

We are so glad he is ours!