May 25, 2006

As words are seemingly coming at a mile a minute, let’s break for a second to talk about two of dad favorites. Let’s forget about “cah” (car), ‘cause that’s a no-brainer. Instead, I’ll focus on “mo” (more) and “nigh-nigh” (night-night).

“Mo” is great. Hayes used to just say “Mo” when he wanted something, but was never too specific about it. Apparently he found great joy in watching us scurry about the house trying to find whatever it was he wanted more of. Recently, however, he’s gotten more impatient, and as a result, much more specific about his needs. Now, if he wants more food, he say “Mo, Mo, Mo” and point and tap the place on his highchair where that food once was. It’s hysterical. Love it.

“Nigh nigh” is even funnier. He used to just stuff his blanket in his mouth as a way to let us know he was REALLY tired. Now, he says “Nigh-nigh” and walks over to his little tent, goes inside, sticks his blanket in his mouth, lies down and stares at you to see if you got the message. He first did this on Tuesday and we were dumbfounded.

He’s learning SO quickly, it’s hard to keep up. Fortunately each new thing he learns makes it easier for us to understand what he wants. But, man, it’s cool.

May 22, 2006

So, Hayes is officially a year and a quarter today. And he could care less. But, since I’m keeping track, I’ve got something to say about it. Here goes:

Wow! Hayes, dude, you’re getting freakin’ huge. You can walk, talk, climb, run, fall, cry, eat, poop, and just about everything else one can expect from a 16 month old. You’re awesome! And, like your dad, you appear to be aware of your awesomeoness. So, that’s good, too.

Words are coming a couple a day at this point. “Outside” and “inside” were two of them over the weekend. They are important words for Hayes, becuase they give him new freedom to smush flowers and crush ants outside or climb up and stand on chairs or open doors inside. It’s all good for Hayes. And, like most people, he seems to have that grass is greener mentality. It’s always better outside when he’s inside, you know?

Among his favorite things to do these days are eating, sleeping, and running. He’s good at all three. He eats weird things like his daddy (blue cheese, olives, anything Indian) and forgoes more normal foods like chicken. He stuffs his blanket in his mouth by way of letting us know he needs to go to bed and can sleep for 11 hours. And… running. He can run like the wind, take gigantic falls and spring back up like nothing has happened. Yup, he’s a tank.

Hayes, glad you’re here. If things keep progressing at this pace, you’ll be smarter than me in… well.. about 4 months. Ok, maybe not smarter, but likely a better speller.

May 15, 2006

The weather here sucks, so as a side project, I’ve been trying to teach Hayes how to change the weather. I’ve run into a few… er… issues along the way, but overall I think it’s going pretty well.

My biggest issue thus far has been my lack on knowledge on the issue. I mean, I don’t really know how to change the weather. I assure you, it’s not for lack of trying. It’s kinda hard to teach something you know nothing about. But, I think it’s really important that he learns how to change the weather, so I trudge on undaunted.

I think the second biggest issue is that Hayes only understands remedial English. That, and his feedback is mostly “Uh?” or “Whasthat?” or wandering off to push his toys around. So, I’m not sure he’s really even listening to my instructions on how to change the weather. He did point on the rain through the car moonroof the other day and say, “wa-wa” so he’s definitley got some recognition there.

See, what I think I’ve got going for me is that Hayes is learning things at a tremendous pace. I figure with enough prodding and reinforcement I should be able to slot this weather changing ability somewhere in between “right and wrong” and “hot and cold” (or is it “hot and cold,” then “right and wrong”? No matter.) The way I figure is that if anyone’s gonna figure it out, it’ll be him. Or will he start disapointing his daddy early? Hmmm…. maybe I should try trash talking.

May 12, 2006

Hayes, his favorite word, his favorite video and his favorite car. All captured by dad’s mobile phone.

May 10, 2006

“Whasthat?” Is the funniest and most used word (well, technically, it’s two, maybe 3 words) in Hayes’s burgeoning vocab. He basically uses to solicit a response. Sometimes it’s to actually find out what something is.

Pointing at a truck: “Whatsthat?”

Sometimes he seems to use it when he has nothing to say. You know, kinda like a baby-icebreaker or something.

Looking at us and pointing and then suddenly pointing at something outside his line of vision — at something that isn’t there: “Whatsthat?”

Then there was last night. The funniest use all time of “Whasthat?” We went in to check on him after a few hours of his sleeping to do our usual wonder-in-amazemen-at-our-awesome-kid thing. When from a dead sleep, he suddenly says in a whisper as he jolts upright “Whasthat?” and then falls right back to sleep. You probably had to be there, but, man, it was hysterical!

May 9, 2006

If there’s one thing that I wish Hayes would do more of, it’s showing some love. From the get-go he was by no means cuddley, perhaps because of his acid reflux. Or, maybe it was cuz it’s just his personality. At any rate, he’s never liked being held. He likes squirming away. That’s what he likes.

Over the past month, however, this has been starting to change. He’s learned to sit on things like chairs, stoops and laps. The good news is that this has translated into more cuddle time for Jen and I. Now, he will come up to us when we’re sitting on the ground, turn around, and sit on our laps. It’s awesome. Then he actually stays still for up to five minutes. Five whole minutes. Is anything better?

Now every day at Sagalyn East it’s an out-and-out love fest! Ok, maybe not, but it’s a start.