Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I kick people

Recently John kicked me in the shin, for no apparent reason. "No, John, no kicking mama. No kicking anyone -- we don't kick people."

A day or two later, John was frustrated about something and started kicking the air near my legs. Again: "No, John, we don't kick people. We kick balls. We don't kick people."

John, in a sweet voice: "I kick people."

Later, in his booster seat: "Kick. Kick. I kick people."

Something about having your own children -- I find all of this unbelievably cute. (But no more classic yet violent Mickey Mouse cartoons for John.)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Thank You

We have the same routine every night when we put John to bed. We wind up "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," but sing "We love John, yes, we love John." Then I pray for him and then, as we walk out, we tell John we love him.

Tonight, as I walked out, I said, "Good night, John, I love you." For the first time, John said, "Thank you!"

Mommy is...good

John was finally able to put into words today how he feels about his mama.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

If you're happy and you know it . . .

. . . you might be John.

John loves that song. Recently the three of us were taking an after-dinner walk in the park and Michael said, "John, are you happy?" John said, "Yeah!" I started singing, "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands . . . ." John leapt and jumped, dancing around with joy. Since then, he has been getting the hang of the motions -- clapping when we clap; raising a fist when we say, "Hurrah!"

It is heartwarming to see his exuberant joy.

Monkey see, monkey do

Lately John has been imitating us a lot. It's amazing to hear him repeat words easily. Today at the park: "Whazzizz?" "A tunnel. Tunnel." "Tunnel." And off he climbed, repeating, "Tunnel."

John doesn't like to have his teeth brushed, but when he sees me brushing mine, he begs, "Brush, brush," until I give him my toothbrush. He brushes his teeth with it, and lately he steps up to the sink (not that he can reach it, but still) and pretends to spit in the sink a few times: "Peh," is the sound he makes. Then he tosses my toothbrush on the floor and runs off.

posted by Mama