2 Months Old

Month 2

In Photos...

27 months

Wesley is 27 months old. 

He makes us laugh, sometimes because he's trying to be funny, and sometimes just because what he says is so surprising we can hardly believe it. There is so much surprising cuteness at this age.

He is very friendly and talkative. If someone says hi to us when we are out and about, he is quick to start chatting them up which is surprising to many adults. Sometimes they can't understand everything he's saying, but he is quick to engage in conversation with them.

Wesley is a Strider Biking Wiz. It is a pedal-less bike on which Wes glides down the road. He's so fast--he can easily outpace us, which allows us to cover more distance around town. It's lightweight and he can move it around with ease. I am shocked at the kids of bumps and uneven roads he can manage. We stride up the streets noting the model and make of the cars we see.

Conversation

Man pruning hedges: Nice bike.

Wesley (stops bike): It's a Strider Bike. (Runs his finger along word Strider slowly saying) s-t-r-i-d-e-r bike. It doesn't have any pedals. I just use my feet. I like my Strider bike. I go fast. Just no pedals. I go all the way to town. I saw the boats. Then I come back. Sometimes my tire get dirty. This is my Strider bike. It's blue.

Man (surprised look): Oh, yes

I can't remember the rest of the conversation, but Wes kept talking for maybe three more minutes before we moved on. So sweet and ready to engage.

And, when you miss your Strider bike ride...a tunnel will do.

His imaginary and "real" world experiences still blend seamlessly. The stories he tells are often surprising, though filled with familiar characters (trucks, construction equipment, planes, various animals). He also really likes to explain how things work, or what happens detail by detail, play by play (which I find adorable).

Conversation 1:
Wes: "And I saw a Camero. It was a convertible! It put down the roof and then it was a shiny Porsche convertible!"
Me: "You mean it transformed into a Porsche?"
Wes: "Yes!" (then proceed to repeat the same explanation about it formerly being a Camero)

Conversation 2:
::Looking at the globe::
Me: And that big country there is Russia
Wes: Russia! I used to live in Russia. I had just a little bit of food and water.

Conversation 3:
"This is Emily's coal. You put the coal in the steam engine and burn it to give energy to make it go. Steam comes out the smokestack"

One interesting development is that when we tell Wes he can't do something, he says, "I read the instructions..." and then it seems like he wants to change what the instructions said to make them in his favor, but he doesn't quite know how to lie yet. I told him that he was only allowed to have one vitamin because that's what the instructions was healthy for a kid of his age. He'll ask for another vitamin throughout the day and say, "I read the instructions...", or he'll ask for various things he wants and say the same.

Tea Time
We've had some lovely tea parties. Wes is so careful in his pouring and has gotten to the point where he will very rarely overflow our cups. "Would you like some cream in your tea?". Why yes, thank you, Wesley.

Brotherhood
Life with a little brother is a big adjustment. Wes is often very sweet with Sabien. There is also a hearty dose of stress and jealousy around the situation, but we'll focus on the sweetness for now.

Sabien loves watching Wesley.

Wes loves his train set. They are trains that go with Thomas the Train, so they all have names, "That's Thomas. He's the Little Blue Steam Engine that Could"

Construction site matching letters game.
Matching the letters is easy for him, but he really loves it. It's good coordination practice as he backs up his dump truck and dumps the load. It was very fun and good practice for starting sounds and quick letter identification. He would fill up his dump truck at the work site, and then deliver the load to the appropriate letter. We also play the same game with the front loader.

Wes has started reading Sabien's baby books. He runs his fingers across the big, bold words and "sounds them out", saying them very slowly. He has also started noticing more letters in words on the page when we read to him. He will read us books that he has memorized. He has all of the little turns of speech, each word exactly committed to memory. I love it when he reads me books.

Grandma D has been coming over every Saturday to spend the afternoon and evening with us. We have enjoyed her company, and she and Wesley have been having so much fun together. They like to go on adventures around town. Wesley even lets her read books to him and put him to bed. It is very sweet, and we are fortunate to have the help on one of Casey's long work days.

Despite the fact that our house often looks like a tornado wreck, there is so much orderliness in Wesley's play. Trains line up precisely. Cars do, too.

And Oma came to visit which was great fun as always.

Numbers

Wesley has an increased interest in numbers. He can now count up to six. I think he understands the one to one correspondence of numbers 1-3, but not higher. Meaning he can point to objects and count three, recognizes when he sees one-three dots, etc. 

Potty Time
Wesley has basically home daytime potty trained himself this month, at least for now. He has worn mostly underwear at home for the last few weeks, at his request. Grandma M had sent some cool underwear a couple months ago. He was interested in them for awhile, inconsistently, and then all of a sudden he decided he wanted them.

At first he had a few accidents, then just with number two, or would ask for a diaper when he knew he had to go. But now he is going consistently on the potty all day long. I rarely ask him if he needs to go, but he tells me and then wants help and company.

We have been putting a diaper on him when we go out of the house, for our ease. However, we've tried a few outings with undies, because he has started saying he wants to wear his underwear out, too. I just have to remember to ask him when he comes back home, or else he'll have been holding it, but forget to go on the potty. It definitely adds a challenging element when I'm out with the boys on my own, so we stay close to home with just the three of us and underwear.

I'm glad he decided he wanted to on his own, because I certainly didn't know how I'd increase his interest beyond what it has been (spotty) at various points. Also, it's really hard to change a diaper with a baby in the carrier, but not so hard to pull down pants for the potty.

When Your Family owns a Pumpkin Patch...

Uncle Jesse's farm has a pumpkin patch and has transformed into a Halloween extravaganza. It's ten minutes from our house, so we go there often. Wesley takes day trips there with Grandma and Aunt Lisa, and we all go together on the weekends. It's wonderful.

Wesley plays in the dirt. Sometimes he brings his trucks, but hands are just as good. Sabien's mornings are still pretty sleepy, so he sleeps in the carrier most of the time.

Nursing

Wes gets to go on all the rides as much as he wants.

Hayride

Train ride

Halloween starts the swing into the holiday season--a time when having kids makes the festivities especially fun.

Atop the Haybale Pyramid

Grandma & Grandad Visit

My parents visited us for eight days. It was so great for me to have them here. I feel much more grounded after having time with them. It was infinitely helpful to have my mom her--not just to help with fussing Sabien or to play with Wes, but just as support (although, I have to say, help with Sabien was wonderful). I loved being cared for by my parents, I guess that never changes. 

It was also, of course, wonderful to see how delighted Wesley is with their presence, and to have them meet Sabien.

I felt like I learned some soothing techniques as I watched her with Sabien. I gained confidence as she moved lovingly through his fusses, lulling him with her rocking, rattle-shaking, and baby talking. Even though I've already had one baby, there are still tricks to be learned from skilled hands.

I miss my parents so much, but I am able to fully enjoy their time with us without sadness except at the end. Our time together is fun. It is regenerative.

We had a lot of good quiet time and some successful outings. We swam twice in their hotel pool (oh how wonderful to sink beneath the water--what a release).

Sabien shifted from little newborn to infant during the course of their visit. He had more awake time and was more interactive by the end of their trip. My mom discovered that he loved his Zebra Rattle. It is a clear favorite with little beads inside that make noise and offer visual interest.

One morning we woke and Casey and I both said "we need to skip town". I called  my Mom and they had had the same discussion that morning. So at nap time, off to Armstrong Redwoods we went (in two cars because we don't all fit in one anymore!). It was great.

It was painful to see them go. I look forward to their next visit, and to many Skype sessions before then.

Gram & Grandpa's Visit

Gram and Grandpa came and had a nice visit. Unfortunately, I have very few pictures of their stay, but it was great to see them. I'm glad they got to meet Sabien, and I know Wes and Casey enjoyed their company, too.

It was the first time my parents and Lynn and Linda had ever met. Jesse and Lisa hosted a wonderful dinner for us one evening, and we all had dinner at our place another evening. We also had some nice park time all together. I know my parents really enjoyed meeting them, and it was cool to have them finally connect (in the non-digital world).

Cars

Wesley has a shockingly good memory. This has always been the case, but as he develops new interests, his memory displays its strength in new form. Is this what is meant when they say children under five are amazing at absorbing their environment? It is shocking and fun to watch.

Right now, he's really into cars. He loves Hotwheels, and he loves cars in real life. If you tell him the model of a Hotwheel, it is instantly committed to memory. As in, "how did you remember that the car you just received is called a Motoblade?..." I had already forgotten.

He has also committed the symbols of the major car manufacturers to memory. As he glides up the street on his balance bike, he pauses in front of various cars...

"That one's a Honda. It has an H"
"That's an Audi. It has the circles that are connected"
"That one's a Hyundai"
"That's a BMW"
"That's a Mustang. It has a wild horse on it"
"That one's a convertible. It has no roof"
"That is a Jaguar"
"That is a Volvo"
"That one is a Dodge. A Dodge Minivan"
"We drive a Ford. A white Ford Taurus"

Smile for the camera

I marvel at his abilities. And the joy with which he pursues them.

I also sometimes wonder if I should be helping him learn things other than car brands and truck types. I ponder the relationship between "follow the child's interest" and "create an engaging environment full of a multitude of knowledge".

He is drawn to cars and trucks so we help him pursue his interest, offer knowledge about it, etc. But it is also convenient and accessible. It is easy to convey that knowledge. It takes little work on behalf of me, the parent.

On the other hand, his interest in wanting to know the names of all the flowers or various little birds (looks like a finch of some kind?) we pass is challenging. I often don't know them and have a hard time looking them up in reference materials.

I try not to suffer the "I could be doing better" parent trap too much, but I do struggle with pangs of guilt. For now, I will support the expansion of his knowledge of cars, and continue to develop my knowledge of his other interest areas. Perhaps we'll make that pressed flower reference book someday...

Napa Day - Sandbox Time

Sabien had his first trip to Napa this week. It was a successful trip and a lovely day.

Grandpa Don built Wesley a sandbox which was the impetus for us going to Napa. It wasn't yet in place, and Wesley helped Daddy level the ground and scoop the sand into place.

Grandma, Grandpa, Casey, and Wes drove in the mule to the bottom of the hill to load up the sand.

Because he is an architect, it is a very beautiful sandbox. And the location can't be beat either.

What did you bring me, Oma?

Wesley totally loved it. He packed a bag full of an obscenely large number of trucks and enjoyed playing with them in the sand. Oma brought a big bag full of scoops and shovels and sandbox accessories. He had a blast.

The day was hot and Sabien slept most of the time. Even I got to relax and have some uninterrupted adult conversations. It was a nice day.