Week of July 21, 2004

“I have Jack! Thank you Mummy and Daddy! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“More help means more dirt. More dirt means more fun. My name is Alfie!”
“I want to go outside. Play on the steps”
“No, I don’t want to go to ‘Tucci’s. I don’t want ice cream. I don’t want stroller ride. I don’t want to go to park”
“Good night Jack. Sweet dreams. I love you.”
“Where’s Alfie? Alfie, where are you?”
“The bush tickled me.”
“I hold a bunny. I hold a baby duck. I had a pony ride.”
“A sheep tickled me”
“The cow licked me.”
“The giraffe ate a banana.”
“Want some vegetables, turtle?”
“I want you hold me, Mummy.”
“I want snuggle.”
“I want to go home.”
“We got Alife at the train store”
“We played train table at library”
“We saw hot air balloons”
“Where’s my wish list? I want xx on my wish list. I have catalog! I want to see xx” (on the computer)
“I want Clifford gummies”
“I want to see Maggie and Bella”

 

We had a wonderful weekend. Owen was good natured, enthusiastic, happy to be just spending time together. His interactions with us are wonderful exchanges, and there’s a much deeper sense of connecting that comes with his increased vocabulary, and his sense of humor. This is a very joyful age.

Perhaps this is why parents of older children seem to reminisce about this as being a wonderful age and one they miss. Or perhaps it’s going through their child’s adolescence, they miss a phase where kids thing you’re wonderful and great.

Owen’s been getting up early on a pretty standard basis. We did something truly radical, and after wanting a couch for 5 years , we ordered a new one. Well, it’s a compromise. Our (old) futon couch is well and truly dead, and has been for years now. I wanted a real (read comfy and nice) couch, but we were hampered by the lack of furniture sellers in the area, and our inability to find what we’re looking for. And then there’s the issue of “can we get it in our living room?” Plus, it’s hard to spend the money for a nice couch (though we have it set aside) when you have small children.

We went to look at the local futon place (www.flybynightfutons.com) and while I though we were still just looking, somehow we ordered a new futon couch and chair. And covers. And pillows. By the time we left, I was overwhelmed with decision making, but I think it’s for the best. We got a full (vs. our old Queen) and it seems to convert pretty easily to a bed. If I can do it by myself, then we can easily prepare for a night on the couch. Owen’s been waking up early (between 1 and 4) for many nights now, and I yearn for a place to lie flat. I think I squished the nerve between my elbow and little finger from lying on my side with my arm underneath me. I miss my bed! I miss Owen sleeping through the night!

Since Owen’s birthday, we’ve been in a materialistic phase. Or perhaps we’re just possessed with Thomas – looking at it, fantasizing about it, living in that world, yearning for every new thing we see. Like so many boys, Owen spends a lot of time gazing at his Thomas catalog. The wish list has been less of a focal point this week, but we still spend a lot of time hearing about his current fixation(s). Oh how he wants a Scrub and Shine. And oh, how he loves Alfie and Jack (and pretending to move small rocks with them).

I was fretting that we did nothing terribly interesting, but we did manage to go see the Hot Air Balloons at the Green River Festival. If you’re willing to get there for 6 a.m., it’s free to see the balloons lift off. This was the rare morning when Owen slept late, 5:15!!!! So we had to pull things together pretty fast, and I’m proud to say we were out by 5:25! We raced up to Greenfield, only to find everyone waiting for the Propane delivery. Owen felt the bagpiper was scary so we found an place to sit off to the side, although one can’t really get away from the playing. At least I enjoyed it.

Owen was playing with his Alfie while we waited (and waited), and a little boy nearby instantly recognized the character and had to come over. Thomas is like a cult, and if you are identified as a member by another member, there’s an instant acceptance and connection. It’s eerie to witness. Perhaps there’s an air of covetousness too, of things that you don’t have yourself. But still, knowing the characters and talking the talk creates a fellowship I don’t ordinarily see in Owen’s life.

Much of the rest of the weekend was spent at home.

We’ve hit a new and unfamiliar stage. While in the past, Owen was always interested in being on the move and hitting a new place, and was endlessly interested in going to the park or finding swings – now he’s happy just to be at home. We’ll ask him where he wants to go, and the answer is “Home!” Do you want to go to a park?” “No.” Would you like to go for a stroller ride?” “No.” Would you like to go get a cookie, or some ice cream?” “No.”

He wants to be at home, play with his toys, hang out with us.

This made for a very relaxing Sunday, as we all puttered and Scott and I fit in cooking our weeks meals with ease. We felt relaxed and happy, and so did Owen. Strange how monumental this shift has felt, and I wonder how long it will last. We still try to get out to the steps near Panda in the morning. It’s shady and quiet (and near coffee and chai!) and best of all, it’s a good place to pull out our rocks and play with Alfie and Jack.

 

• Pretending to be a baby stegosaurus, a turtle, a kitty, a giraffe, a spider
• Stegasaurus “Look, it’s a baby stegosaurus! Nice to meet you, stegosaurus. I like your horns, stegosaurus”
• Turtle “Want some vegetables, turtle? Put the vegetables in the cage. Mmm, I like vegetables.” And in the bath, “Turtle, want your shell?” (a washcloth on the back serves as a shell)
• Kitty “Want to hold you, kitty?” (snuggling ensues)
• Spider “I eat yout” (nibbling ensues)
• Giraffe “Want a banana, giraffe? Mmm, I like banana. Want some pear?”
• Feeling a bit edgy with the bagpipe player, waiting for the hot air balloons to inflate in Greenfield at 6 a.m.
• Managing to cope with the two little boys who came over the library train table (he’d had it to himself for a while). He came over to huddle near me, then managed to stay at his corner and let them have their corners, but soon after was ready to go.
• Being tough on Noah, yet Noah lingers nearby. Sometimes he can pet him well. He managed to pet the cat at Lupa zoo very nicely.
• Chasing every squirrel and chipmunk he sees now
• He’s been re-enacting many of the Thomas stories, with the right trains and props. He also recites the dialogue (“More dirt means more fun. Welcome to the pack, Jack. You’d make a mother proud.”)

 

 

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