I see that many of you still visit here, perhaps looking for an update or popping in via search engine. As such, I'll occasionally be importing updates about the very amazing Simon and our recent adventures in parenting from my other site. This other site is accessed by invitation only...if you are interested in reading more or for some crazy reason actually like the idea of knowing way too much about us, please send me an e-mail by clicking the "e-mail" me link in the adjacent column and I'll be happy to send you the url. Here at A Beautiful Day my archives go back to August 2004. Feel free to peruse and enjoy.
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Smacky turned 12 months on June 16th. That's one year people. My miracle child actually turned a year old last month and is thriving and happy and altogether fascinating.
I quite love this age of childhood, though we've kicked it up a notch or two in the physicality department - this kid likes to GO GO GO. And though he seems to be a bit behind in gross motor skills in that he's not yet walking on his own, he gets around quite efficiently and rather fast at that. He's climbing stairs and anything he can get a good hold onto; up seems to be the way he'd like to go nowadays. When he's not searching for a good climb, he'll settle for removing all his pajamas from his drawer and moving them to another dresser drawer. When that's done, he puts them all back. He prefers dog dishes to pots and pans, and is fascinated with closing and opening. He motors around on his toddler 4 wheeler, acutely aware which buttons will make which noise. When I took him for a ride on his tricycle last night, he shouted in glee as we went up and down the block, mastering "keep your feet up," (meaning keep them on the trike foot rest). At one point he turned up to look at me, still babbling excitedly, his eyes sparkling and smile bigger than the sun. I leaned down toward him and he grasped my cheek and gave me a kiss (open mouth slobber of course). To say my heart swelled doesn't quite describe the moment. I almost cried out of joy.
What shocks me about this age (though I'm not sure why it should) is that this child actually listens to what I say and, might I add, occasionally does what I ask of him. It had yet to occur to me that we'd have a give-and-take relationship this early in the game - I'm not sure what I expected but Smacky understands "please leave that alone" and will actually leave "that" alone when I ask. Sometimes, anyway. When he does it's actually a bit unsettling to me - I suppose I expected all struggle and no cooperation. I suppose I underestimate his ability to comprehend what I'm saying and what I'm getting at. The thing is, he's a sponge, watching and mimicking everything I do. And if I reflect on it too much I'll freak myself out, because it's an awesome responsibility, this child-shaping thing is.
He says "ball." Not mama, not dada, but "ball." And a weak "book." Now and then he'll repeat something we say, though not anywhere near comprehensible to anyone but us. This morning I urged him, "Say thank you Daddy," to which he responded with acceptably similar babble.
He's got a thing for observing gravity in action, dropping anything he can and watching in delight as said object hits the floor. Feeding the dogs is another favorite pasttime - he's taken up sharing, allowing one to take a bite and then taking a bite himself (hello? germs? uh yeah. I know. Smacky's alacritous with jamming dog-slobbered waffles into his mouth...by the time it pings my brain it's far too late to run interference). His kiddie pool is great source of fun for him but he doesn't stay in long as I think he's wary of water...I brought him into the shower with me a few months ago, thinking it would be a quick and easy way to clean him up and he freaked out, traumatized by the experience - S says I've damaged him for life. Ever since, the faucet, the shower, outdoor sprinklers will all set him off into anxious crying.
Speaking of anxiety, he's defintely got the mommy separation thing going on in full force. If I leave the room, even if he's cuddling with S, Smacky will lament wretchedly, spewing giant tears and wailing pitifully. He prefers me over anyone, and though I love that we've bonded so much and that he clearly wants ME, it's tiring. Just going to the bathroom becomes a drama. It takes a few minutes but he eventually settles down, but he's hyper-aware of my voice and noises which may suggest I could be nearby. I know this will lessen at about 18 months, and I wonder if I will miss it... I think I most certainly will.
Smacky has a favorite ABC book which we read twice daily. He's memorized the pages quite well, pointing to objects appropriately when I ask him to identify them. The cutest is his response when asking him to "make like an elephant," to which he'll make a loud raspberry and raise his arm in the air. He's learned to give butterfly kisses and also knows how to ask (demand) them from me (gently touching my eyelashes with his finger). We play silly games with each other, mimicking simple noises or tickling. His hearty giggles come easily.
Socially, this kid is a charmer, knowing full well how to act coy and sweet to garner attention. When that doesn't work, he'll reach out to touch people with his hands. If that fails, he'll call out until he gets a response. Most of the time he's eager to engage new faces and interact. He's forever touching other kids (which is a post for a different day) and delights in being around them.
Earlier today I watched as Smacky opened his new Cars CD player, placed a CD in it (upside down), then slammed the cover shut. He then pressed the buttons, trying to get it to play. I was astounded, though not sure why I should be...his eyes are on us every minute, taking in our every move. Why wouldn't he easily pick up something so mundane as putting in a CD? Each day he's mastering something new, connecting more and growing up a little bit. This age is incredible to observe. Absolutely incredible.
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Yeah, the birthday pics. I know. I attached the camera and attempted to download and...hmmm. No new photos? I ask S and he informs me he took video only. I just got a new Macbook with ILife and I'm going to tool around with the movie and edit functions and see what I can produce to give you an idea of the happy chaos that was his party.
Peace out, and for those who keep checking in here, thanks.
