Week of April 9, 2003

 

Ah, daylight savings, it's been wonderful. Owen has been waking up between 5:15 and 5:45 since the time change, I feel like we're almost on a normal schedule, one that other humans can relate to! Owen is able to stay up until 7:30 now, which gives us more time to hang out together and even have dinner as a family. Somehow the extra hour makes the time much more relaxed, since we're often able to do a chore or two while we're together. Owen's not exhausted so we can be playful and silly - and this will be an extra time to slip in some time at the park I think, once the weather improves. And maybe we can even do some picnics outside.

The mornings have actually been a bit rushed now that we're getting a later start, and I think Scott and I will have to both get up with Owen if it's close to 5:30. Having one of us in bed after 6 is just too late for us. We like to get out so Owen can run around by 7 or so, and we need at least an hour to get together and spend some time hanging out. They say toddlers are bad to rush, and I think we all have a better time if we can get a leisurely start. Good thing we're all willing to be early birds!

Owen continues to chat. He's constantly asking what everything is, and filing the answers away in his brain. He can say lots of single syllable words.

• Bat, Cat, Hot, Moo, Moon, Boo, Boot, Daw(g), Cow, More, Mine, Hel(p), "Hor(se)" and of course, No. Or he'll shake his head vigorously.
  
  
• Sounds = the names of some things: "Choo choo" for train, "Tweet tweet" for bird, "Tuh tuh" for camel (they spit). I think I've caught him trying to say Meow.
  
  
• More complicated phrases: "S'tat" ("What's that?), "All gone" (or is it "all done?") and "Iwantha" for "I want that!"

He sees a picture of his bunny, and he runs to drag his stuffed bunny out of his crib. He'll then rest it on the arm of the couch, and start going "choo choo." He's able to identify so many things in pictures, and especially animals. In books or on TV, he'll always point out "moon!" and he loves to see it in the sky.

I can't get over his growing autonomy. He's now able to run to the fridge, if he's hungry. He'll tug at it until we open it, and then he'll stare inside and point to what he wants, his milk or green beans or grapes. At other times he'll run over to where we've tucked other foodstuffs, and he's very clear about what he doesn't want. For a long time, he'd just shake his head, but he's now just as quick to say "No" with the shaking optional. He seems so much more of a person with very clear likes and dislikes.

We've been waiting for the good weather to return. After a taste a few weeks ago, it's been hard waiting for the temperature to go back up and the snow and ice to melt. I suspect we'll be fitting in as many trips to the park as we can (and perhaps we need to get some more outdoor playthings, like a ball we can bring with us). Owen was standing near the basketball courts, yearning to be part of the group. I hope we're able to catch him the day he decides to run out into the thick of things, or if he ever tries to make off with one of the basketballs. During a recent trip to the park, he was obsessed with the swings and practicing going up and down stairs, but other trips he's been focused solely on the grown up slide area. I assume stairs will be the fixation until he masters them. His ability to concentrate and learn still amazes me, especially considering the reputation of toddlers. Then again, we're all better when we're focused on something that captures our attention! Still, at times I find it hard to believe he's mine! ;-)

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