Week of February 18, 2004
"Good Night"
"Sweet Dreams"
"I'm not opening my eyes until my driver comes"
"What are you doing"
"Owey has a dragon"
"I'm gonna get you!"
We picked out the Chinese Dragon train for Scott's parents to give to Owen for Valentine's Day. We knew he'd had a fixation on it and thought he might enjoy having one of his own to reenact the story.The train has been a hit like none other. Owen's been carrying it around non-stop since he got it, I think he's able to leave it in the car while he's in daycare only because that way it's safe and he doesn't have to share it. After an effusive greeting when we pick him up, it's the first thing he mentions. Palpable joy.
I especially enjoyed watching him move it along the windowsill outside Panda East, in few of the paper dragon they have off to the side. Showing off his dragon train to the big dragon?
He meticulously puts it on the track last thing before bed, so it's ready for him when he wakes up the next morning.
We've been coming down off a Valentine's Day high. Owen's had some chocolate hearts in honor of the holiday, and it's often the first thing he asks for when he gets up: "Valentine?" We've been able to dole out one after supper, but we're looking forward to clearing out the chocolate so it's not a dependency.
He's cute though, he gasps when we unwrap it for him. When do we lose that intent, whole hearted joy? When we give it to him, he carefully takes it and runs in to the other room to put it down on the coffee table. He'll pull up his little chair and just sort of gaze at it. It takes a while for him to actually pop it in his mouth. And when he's asked for a second while still holding the first, I've given him one to give to his Daddy and he's delighted to share his good fortune. I'm not sure if it's the practice at daycare, or just his sweet and gentle nature, but Owen is wonderful about sharing.
As long as it's not his train he has to share.
We've also started a vitamin regimen. I pondered this for a while, but Owen's diet was so diverse I just let it go. As he's become more toddlerlike, I opted to go for a supplement. I have mixed feelings about buying vitamins that look like gummy bears (a childproof cap and storing it way up high is essential). How is this different than candy? He's started to ask for a vitamin first thing in the morning as well, and for a 2nd as soon as he's finished the first. The dose is two, but I'm happy if he just has one. We take our vitamins at the same time, I hope we can dispel some of the candy association. On the other hand, it couldn't be easier to get him to eat it.
One of the mornings before we went into Rao's so Owen could play with his trains on a table, Scott and Owen saw a robin. Perhaps they're not a harbinger of spring, but with the days getting above freezing and the daylight lengthening, I'm feeling the edge of spring in the air. We can't wait.
Our weekend was busy, visiting family and running around with errands. Scott wasn't feeling up to snuff, which was a challenge -- sleep deprivation hits harder when you're worn down. Owen seems to have started to go down more easily so we have a better chance of having our hour of adult time after he's in bed. It's easy to feel disconnected without it. On the other hand, he still wakes up every night and that's hard for Scott, who has trouble falling back to sleep.
Owen continues to voice his preferences to us. I can't get over the fact that he can bump himself and say "it hurts" as he brings over whatever body part needs a kiss. He knows thirsty and hot and cold. He can demand action, describe events, ask questions. While there are still many times we're uncertain about what he's saying, that's an enunciation issue I think. And related to the fact that ¾ of what he says is dialogue from Thomas the Tank Engine. I can never stop comparing this with the Start Trek NG episode with the culture that spoke in phrases, all relating to their mythology and literature. The world of Thomas is Owen's short hand for feelings and observations. Of course sometimes a good story is just a good story, and he's lost in what he's reliving. Even when we're not sure what he's saying, it's nice to see him chatty and entertained.
He's less obsessed with monsters, although sounds around the apartment do get a concerned "Monster!" from him. And he'll ask us to "Check bathroom" "Check bedroom" "Check living room" "Check kitchen"" as appropriate. Sometimes he'll grab a flashlight and check with us. I think just about all our flashlights are in need of new batteries.
I love the definitive "yes!" he gives us when answering a question. Articulate and firm, it's sweet to hear. Of course, much of the time we'll ask him questions (the infamous "which do you want, x or y?") and he'll say absolutely nothing. He votes with is silence.
He's still devoted to Cyberchase, along with Clifford. For the most part though, we've been watching or listening to Thomas the Tank Engine, while Owen plays with his trains. We listen to two Wiggles songs while getting ready for bed, John Bradelum ("Funny song") and "Mi oh my" which is a nice break from "Every cloud has a Silver Lining" which is STILL the only song we can listen to in the car.
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