Quinn isn't all bad...

For the first time ever, we got a really good report on Quinn's day at school. Usually they politely say he had a good day, but it hasn't ever felt like daycare folks meant it. I actually imagine the teachers trying to convince the director to expell Quinn for being too emotional. During last couple weeks we've had some slightly warmer evaluation, but yesterday was off the charts. Whenever I pick the kids up I walk in to school with my apologies ready, so I was shocked when they said "Quinn was the best kid in class all day.". He does seem much happier going to school these days. It has taken quite a while, but he doesn't cry when we drop him off and seems to be having fun most days when we pick him up. It is nice to think he isn't making everyone around him miserable. In addition to emotional growth, he also is doing a little better with his communication. He certainly is following some instructions like "throw away xyz" or " go get". And tonight he was stacking blocks 6-8 tall. As for Liam, he started sleeping in a toddler bed on Monday. We have this in our bedroom, but at least he is out of our bed. He is doing ok, but it will take a while for him to get comfortable. No real guess as to when we'll be able to move his bed into another room. Oh well...at least Quinn is still loving nights in his crib.

Quinn Growing Up Too

We were at lunch last week and a person said that Quinn was quite independent.   I'm not sure how he could tell that in such short observation, but it is hard to argue.    And while Quinn's "independence" is a bit different than Liam's these days, I guess it is all relative.

Quinn likes things his way.  He doesn't have much tolerance for being told no and can throw one heck of a tantrum.  The biggest battle these days is about his darn bottle and the quest to transition him to a sippy cup. Somehow at school they seem to have moved him to a cup, but at home it is still not happening.  Perhaps we are too soft, but those fits are just too much to take after a while.

At lunch last week he was all smiles and happy because I let him stand on the chair while eating his hot dog and fries.   He felt like he was a 'normal' kid as he didn't have a high-chair or anything that would constrain his mobility.  He doesn't care that it wasn't the safest thing and most parents were probably cursing me -- especially when I left him there to go pick up food and drinks. 

Quinn contorts his body in all directions when he isn't happy and makes it very hard to hold him.  And when you give up and let him onto the floor he will just drop to his back.. slam his head on ground.. and roll around like a mad man.   It is a bit out of Poltergeist or maybe Exorcist.   It all seems a bit over the top to get milk in a bottle instead of a cup, but he seems to think it is worth it.

Communication is starting to appear for him and not always via tantrum.  Hopefully as this develops a bit more, we can avoid some of the battles.  Like Liam, we are trying to do some sign language with him and he is certainly getting it ---  I think we worked on "more" too much as he does that sign a lot and usually when he is trying to get a bottle.   Hopefully we can get him to recognize difference and start to do sign for "milk" when he wants a drink, "eat" when he is hungry, "more", and maybe even "thank you".   Seems a ways off now, but he is doing more and more of that.

He isn't talking per se, but he certainly makes sounds that are similar to those we'd make for things like "bye-bye".   He does a good job waving and even started to blow a kiss.   Speaking of kisses, this is something he is also starting to do and was making out with some toy last night (but that is a different story) -- he does a very open mouthed kiss, but it is very cute.   

As we get through Xmas, it has been very neat to see him light up when he sees Christmas lights like those on trees across the street.  He really seems to love them!  He also seems to know that Santa is a good guy and fixates on him whenever he appeared at mall, sidewalk, or on TV.   Funny how he can already sense that being friends with the jolly fat guy can pay huge dividends.

So while he is a challenge, he is certainly getting a bit easier to be around.  He still climbs a bit more than we'd like, but he is also more stable with it most of the time.   Unfortunately he still manages to take a couple tumbles when he (and I) get overconfident in his abilities. 

Independent Liam

Recently Liam has started to become a bit more independent with everything. And it is mostly good, but there is a sadness about him growing up. As I think I posted recently, he is at the perfect age and is just super lovable.

Normally he doesn't go to the next room without someone going with him. This week he has started to wander a bit more without dragging an adult with him. Yesterday I caught him upstairs when he thought everyone was downstairs. And today he went into kitchen by himself, pulled out some leftover chicken nuggets from the frige, grabbed a plate and cup, filled cup with water, made up the plate and even added appropriate amount of ketchup to his afternoon snack. I was amazed when I went looking for him and discovered this boy all independent.

His other funny thing is him asking for "privacy" when he uses the bathroom. Although we still get the joy of wiping....guess some more independence is desired by all.

On a sad note, today we had to euthanize our cat Lulu. We are sad and just need to find way to tell Liam.