Catch up
Ian now runs a bit & is babbling up a storm - he's trying to talk, but we've usually not enough time to decipher what he's able to say. He's definitely got words for Ginger [Patrick's lovey] and Patrick. He can say Dada & is clear about yes & no, although those are usually non-verbal. I think he's got a word for Blue Dog [his lovey] but usually he just gives a soft squeal of delight at being re-united.
His comprehension & willingness to follow directions amaze me - he'll bring me toys I ask for when cleaning up; he's great about taking turns & sharing [for a 14 month-er]. Life will him has gotten a little harder as he's more nap resistant, is more able to demand my attention by volume or clinging to my legs, and desperately wants to walk & explore wherever we go. I like the increased mobility and desire to walk, [Patrick always wanted to be carried] but it's a bit hard to slow Patrick down enough to suit Ian's speed & distractiveness [new word!].
Patrick is still a sponge - computer games & stories keep popping up in his play & life expectations. He typically gets to play World of Warcraft or other computer game with Dan for 1 or 2 10 minute chunks a day. Now most of his play involves going on quests: battling things, fishing & delivering requested items. Lego Racing resulted in his making everything a race & throwing a fit when he lost [Lego Racer definitely does not model good sportsmanship]. Age of Empires for a few sessions resulted in his pretending the styrofoam packing peanuts were tanks defending the screw-&-expansion-shield rockets. Anyone know of any games Dan & Patrick can play together that doesn't have such pronounced & potentially undesirable results in play? Most of his friends give him blank looks when he suggests his normal pretend play scenarios of fighting dragons & wolves, or attacking purple's base [invisible, of course].
It's been a hard choice between daily maintenance tasks [dishes, laundry, clutter control], getting ahead on life tasks [seasonal decorations, yard work, weeding out too small clothes from the kids drawers, activity prep & planning, etc], reading time [web-based or paper], and craft time. I don't do well without craft time.
His comprehension & willingness to follow directions amaze me - he'll bring me toys I ask for when cleaning up; he's great about taking turns & sharing [for a 14 month-er]. Life will him has gotten a little harder as he's more nap resistant, is more able to demand my attention by volume or clinging to my legs, and desperately wants to walk & explore wherever we go. I like the increased mobility and desire to walk, [Patrick always wanted to be carried] but it's a bit hard to slow Patrick down enough to suit Ian's speed & distractiveness [new word!].
Patrick is still a sponge - computer games & stories keep popping up in his play & life expectations. He typically gets to play World of Warcraft or other computer game with Dan for 1 or 2 10 minute chunks a day. Now most of his play involves going on quests: battling things, fishing & delivering requested items. Lego Racing resulted in his making everything a race & throwing a fit when he lost [Lego Racer definitely does not model good sportsmanship]. Age of Empires for a few sessions resulted in his pretending the styrofoam packing peanuts were tanks defending the screw-&-expansion-shield rockets. Anyone know of any games Dan & Patrick can play together that doesn't have such pronounced & potentially undesirable results in play? Most of his friends give him blank looks when he suggests his normal pretend play scenarios of fighting dragons & wolves, or attacking purple's base [invisible, of course].
It's been a hard choice between daily maintenance tasks [dishes, laundry, clutter control], getting ahead on life tasks [seasonal decorations, yard work, weeding out too small clothes from the kids drawers, activity prep & planning, etc], reading time [web-based or paper], and craft time. I don't do well without craft time.