So different

Kian is so different from Angie. I try to mark those special things in my mind, but of course, I like to share them with people too.

Angie needs more people interaction than Kian. Always has. Both my kids were cuddlers, but Kian reaches a saturation point and he is done.

From a very early age, Kian would indicate he was tired, he could lay down and go to sleep very quickly. That has changed somewhat as he has gotten older. He fights sleep because he does not want to miss any fun. But still, when he finally accepts that he needs to sleep, he rolls over and he is done with human contact.

Angie had to be cajoled to sleep. There were stories, songs, dancing, poems, recitations. If juggling would have worked we would have tried that too. Eventually, she would go to sleep.

Kian woke up extremely crabby from his nap yesterday. Chas and Angie were at karate and Kian was unsatisfied with the state of the world. I offered him the usual comforts: food, milk, story, hug, Blues Clues, Diego, (last and most desperately) Dora? All met with howls.

Do you want to go for a walk?

A tearful "Uh-huh."

Can you put on your shoes?

"NO!"

More hysteria.

So I grab the neglected sling, his sandals, keys, my cell phone and the boy and race out the door. He seemed soothed by the forced closeness of the sling, but every time I tried to talk to him, he fussed. I forced myself not to speak for a portion of the walk (normally I point out things and chatter; I especially do this with Angie when I'm trying to pull her out of a mood--almost always works for her). Kian just looked around and enjoyed on his own. I flashed back to swinging in silence with my Mom and Grandpa Dailey.

Sometimes it it good to just be and be silent and still be together. Kian is a child who needs that quiet space. We all do to different degrees.

I hope I can remember to respect their differences as they get older.

So that's what he's talking about...

At his two year check-up, Chas and I were slightly concerned about Kian's language development. Kian said very few words and preferred to point. At the same age, Angie had a big vocabulary and was not afraid to use it. We know every child is different, but we had some slight concerns. When asked, if he spoke in sentences yet, we said know. Then we realized, "I wan" = I want. Noun verb. Maybe Mom and Dad should check their own language development.


Now, just a few months later, there is an explosion of words as Kian puts names to everything he can. Sometimes he just shakes his head after we say, "Can you say..." but he tries more and more often to say the word.

At this stage, he just says the beginning sounds rather than the full words:

Mooh = moon
Bah = barn ( I expect him to be a farmer because he is undeniably excited by the sight of a barn)
Ba-ba = bottle
Bla = Please (with the right intonation)
Mmmm-hmmm = Thank you (with the right intonation)
Mmm-mmmm = You're welcome (with the right intonation)
Houws = house (because for the past two months or so, the family excursions involve looking and looking and looking at lots of different houses)

He has mom and dad or sometimes Mama and Dada down perfectly. All little girls everywhere are "Ahngie" because he adores his big sister so very much.

He is solid on "out" "up" and "go!" Recently "MINE" said with a big smile is popular although sometimes that is a question too. He often says, "Me?" as in "who, Me?"Last night he ran back and forth between Chas and me saying, "Hi Mom!" Hi Dad!" That game gave him the giggles.

Owiv = Olive (a favorite food) One night he asked for Owiv while in the bathtub and he and Angie had the best time giggling as he and mommy went round and round thusly: "Owiv!" "No Kian, you can't have an olive in the bathtub!!!!" "Owiv!" "No Kian, you can't have an olive in the bathtub!!" and so on.

He also says "No!' like you are the silliest person he has ever seen.

Kian loves animals. He also loves things that go,but I would say that in his little heart, animals have a slight edge (although he loves to point at everything: cars, trucks, boats [vaguely confusing when they are not in the water], clouds, the moon, squirrels, barns--it is life with a toddler).

He usually refers to animals by the sounds they make:

Baa-baa = sheep
A moo = cow
Neigh-neigh = horse.

He does say duck and dog when talking about those animals.

A few weeks ago we were at Grandma Pat's house, he started saying "ccooww." It was amazing to watch his face as he concentrated on shaping every sound of that normally three letter word in his small mouth. He was so pleased to do it and took pleasure and pride in saying a new word.

So fun to watch.

Language art

Just a few quick things because I'm tired and I don't want to forget them ever:

* When Angie says, "I'm going to tell Mia what she wants for her birthday tomorrow," what she really means is that she is going to ask the other child. She keeps using tell instead of ask. I'm not sure what secret hint that is to her personality, but I think there is a clue in there somewhere.

* Angie is running around exclaiming "Crikey" with some frequency. This has been going on for a few months now (easily since the beginning of February; perhaps as early as January). I am fairly certain that she hasn't been to Australia recently, but I have no idea from what source this phrase has sprung or what attracts her to it.

* Kian says something that sounds like "Nay" when he really means yes. I think it derives from "Hooray."

* When he means no he says "no," except when no means "I don't really understand what you are asking but I feel I must respond anyway."

* Kian occasionally babbles, puts his finger to the side of his mouth and says, "Hmmmmmm." Then he holds out his hand in a near universal gesture of noncomprehension and says, "Aaaaaaaah?" I interpret this as "I've pondered the situation, and have failed to resolve the problem/find an answer to the conundrum presented/understand the general situation. What's your take on the whole thing?" It will bei nteresting when he starts using complete sentences.

It's all good, good, good

Kian has been playing with the Mega Blocks lately. He takes a lot of pleasure in building with them and will point to the out of reach container and emphatically say, "Ooooh! Ooooh! Oooooh!" when he wants to play.

Last night, as he put single blocks side by side on a base I had made, he said, "Good, good, good." every time he added a block. He was very pleased with his creations and spent some time rearranging the blocks.

He has also developed a fascination with the refrigerator. Whenever it is opened, he tries to grab a marinade and walk around with it. We have managed to convince him, most times, to put it on the shelf. Then he will close the refrigerator door for us.

Such a good boy.

Houston, We have a Toddler

Kian has gradually improved his walking skills over the past month (as well as his extreme skill--diving headfirst at a nearby parent).

Tonight, he toddled away from me, looked over his shoulder, paused, giggled at me, toddled again, looked over his shoulder paused and giggled. Kian repeated the process two more times until he fell on the kitchen floor just as he was moving out of my sight.

He is extremely pleased with himself.


Angie cheered for him tonight then followed him to the kitchen where I saw her reach out and grab him as he falls/knock him down.

Uh Angie?

"But he likes to be pushed down."

Um he's not crying, but I wouldn't say he "likes" being knocked down okay?

"Okay Mommy."

We try to warn her that she needs to be careful, because soon he'll be bigger than she is. She doesn't pick on him too often, but she will be surprised the first time he defends himself.

Happy Birthday Kian!

You joined our family one year ago today and we love you beyond all measure.

Thank you for the love and joy you bring us every day.

Have an Audience, Will Perform

Angie's class had a field trip to the Fine Arts Association today. They saw "The Jungle Book" and later some dancers from China and Korea. She adored the dancing and wants to be a Chinese dancer when she grows up.

She practiced the various dances seen today (sleeve dance, handkerchief dance, umbrella dance) for Kian and I.

For the first time that I've ever seen, Kian clapped enthusiastically for his sister. I cheered for them both.

Two Steps

Tonight, Kian took two steps toward me without holding on to something for support. Angie and Chas missed it completely, but he did this twice in one night.

He was very pleased to dive on my lap when he reached me. I can't tell you how thrilled I was.

Great--Now we don't need a dog.

I was holding Kian after he fell asleep for a mid-afternoon nap when I noticed that he had tiny brown dots on his onesie that were clearly the result of his Father snacking on chocolate while holding him earlier in the day.


"Look Angie, Kian has spots!" I said while contemplating the injustice of my husband eating chocolate on my birthday when I cannot.


"Oh no!" Angie cried, peering closely. "Now he's a Dalmatian!"

Current Exercise: the Lunge

Who is lunging?

Kian, thanks to the Doorway Jumper which has developed his legs' ability to propel him in exciting new directions.

Mommy and Daddy, who must move dangerous objects (i.e. paper or the remote control) out of Kian's ever expanding reach.

Angie, who races to pull her valuables out of the eager grasp of her suddenly quasi-mobile brother.

Well, at least we're getting exercise.

We have a tooth!

I can't see it, but I can definitely feel it.

Little Kian's first tooth finally popped through! It took long enough.

And the excessive drool has stopped, for now.

Yay us!

Kian's Current Stats

Weight: 17 pounds, 10 ounces.
Height: 26 inches.

(His growth rate is typical of breastfed babies.)

Diaper situation: No problems. Mommy's dairy elimination diet seems to be working.

Reaction to immunizations: Not pleased.

State of his mouth: No teeth yet, but drooling constantly and cramming things in his mouth for relief.

General mood: charming flirt and happy-go-lucky little guy full of love for Mommy, Daddy and Angie.

I'm not certain who will win this one.

Kian has been admiring the remote controls for about a week, maybe two weeks.

Tonight he dove for it, clutched it with joy and brought it to his mouth to soothe his aching gums.

Chas attempted to wrestle it away from Kian. For a six month old, his grip is surprisingly strong.

Looks like the battle for the remote is starting early.

Kian's Appointment

The cardiologist is pleased with the sound of Kian's heart--the stenosis has not returned yet. He had a few smiles for the octor, even though he didn't like being poked and prodded.

He is a big guy weighing in at over 16 pounds now and he is 24 and a half inches long.

We go to the regular pediatrician on Monday.

First Kiss

Kian kissed me today.

He was resting on my shoulder and I turned to look at him. I gave him a kiss on his chubby cheek. He looked at me, bounced his head over to my face and gave me two wet kisses on my cheek.

Yes, he is a wonder at less than three weeks old.

Kian's Debut

Kian arrived today at 10:59 a.m. Like his sister five years ago, he was reluctant to leave the womb. The Doctor held him over the curtain so that I could see him and he stayed in the O.R. with us for a long time--Chas brought him over to me frequently.

He weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces and is 20 inches long. The nurse declared that he was "all boy" as the doctor pulled him out. We're not certain what that actually means. He has deep, dark blue grey eyes and a full head of hair. He's quite handsome, though I could be biased.