Playgroup, second generation

Franny's playgroup established when she was about 3 months.  Now, more than 3 years later, 7 moms and 8 kids (one set of twins) remain.  Well, make that 14 kids;  2007 encompassed the birth of all our second-born children.  The age span is a little broader, with the eldest at 20 months and the youngest at just under a year, but they seem to get along about as well as you can expect for this age group, meaning they really pay very little attention to each other.  But, with all the excitement that surrounds eight 3-year-olds, who can really blame them?  Regardless, we were able to get them all to sit still long enough to take this picture--a feat we have never been able to pull off with the elder group! 

Things to say

This morning, Cole blew a messy raspberry on my neck, looked at me, and then said I silly! It was the first time I'd heard him use more than one word together. Later, during his swim class, he crawled out of the pool, sat down on the edge, and said I did it! This little guy continues to amaze me everyday; I can't imagine what he will do--or say-- next!

So big!

It started with Cole just being able to point to and tell me which of the monkeys in one of his favorite books--Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb--was the big one. Now, his favorite word is big. And I guess, it's really no wonder--when you're only a year and a half, everything is big!

OMSI

I love visiting OMSI--there are so many great things for kids to see and learn about. But, with tickets for the whole family regularly totalling $31, it is a rather expensive adventure, when a majority of the exhibits are beyond the appreciation of a 3 1/2 year old, much less a 16 month old. Needless to say, I was thrilled to discover that OMSI is now offering tickets for $2 on the first Sunday of each month. This last Sunday, it was the perfect rainy day excursion, and both kids had a great time in the Turbine Hall (interactive technology and physical science exhibits) and the Science Playground. Cole was quite fascinated with this exhibit, and spent a lot of time experimenting with it. He would catch the balls, push them down the tubes, and watch them shoot back up. He did it over and over again, utilizing every method possible. It is fascinating to watch his mind work and see him trying to make sense of it all--he can be so acutely focused on these types of things and has the attention span to match his interest. I suspect we could have left him here all day!

Upwardly mobile

Cole is extremely vertically motivated.  With complete obliviousness to consequence, he will attempt to climb just about anything and will go as high as his physical ability will allow.  I am in a constant state of alert--moving furniture, laying chairs on the floor, eliminating potential stepping stones--basically, doing anything to prevent him from shimmying to the top of the dining room table, climbing up the built-ins, or laying claim to the countertops.  I think that I have either somehow forgotten this same stage of Franny's physical development, or this is a state-of-mind that must come from being the shortest member of the family.  Either way, it's an adventure!

Hanging out with big sister

Cole has always been attracted to everyything that has anything to do with Franny. Even before he could crawl, he has been fascinated with Franny's puzzles. I don't know if it's the colors or all the interesting shapes, but he loves to hold and examine the pieces, and even tries to put pieces together, although he really doesn't understand why some fit together and others don't. Franny is so very tolerant of him, even when he takes the pieces she needs or breaks apart some of her progress. I love watching the two of them together and seeing their relationship develop; they really do seem to enjoy each other's company over anyone else's!

The sound of silence

As with Franny, I love doing baby sign language with Cole. I didn't document exactly when he started signing, but I believe he was about 13 months when he first started using the sign for "milk". "Daddy"  soon followed, and now he has nearly 80 signs that he uses.  Amazingly, 25 of these are animals; it may seem somewhat silly to some to teach him these, but he gets so much satisfaction out of communicating anything to us, whether it is while we are reading books or just within our daily routine--his face will light up; he will nod or shake his head; or he will just smile, as he is so obviously pleased with himself.  He is so adept to it, that it is difficult to keep pace with his ability to learn, especially since the context of his vocabulary has begun to move beyond just noun identification and verbs.  And, he is also adding to his verbal vocabulary daily, so he will sometimes start using a word and it's sign at the same time.  I am all too aware that his transition from using signs to talking has already begun, so I am enjoying the signs while I can.  Not because I don't want him to talk, but there is a certain sweetness about the silent communication of young toddlers.