What do you think?

Is Drew starting to get the concept of beginning word sounds, or does he have an extremely good memory (that would not be a trait from mom!)?



Obviously he doesn't know them all, but he knows a lot of them (more than shown here) and he has only played with this toy for a total of 4 days (thank you Nonny and Poppy- this toy makes up for the drum set :P). I think it's rather early to be getting the concept of beginning word sounds, but otherwise he'd be really good at a game of Memory/Concentration if he can pinpoint where to find certain things from 26 choices.

P.S. If you listen carefully you can hear James nursing in the background making happy little humming noises as well as little fussing noises (the fussing is easier to hear, of course).

Cuddles

Sunday night I was running around trying to cook dinner, as is usual in the evenings at our house. Jason closes at work so most nights it's just me and Drew. I call the time right before dinner the "witching hour"- it is the time when hunger is just setting in for both of us, and dinner is taking those few minutes too many before it's ready. As hard as I try to get dinner finished before this point, it never seems to happen and I end up with a grouchy hungry boy that hangs on my legs, whines, gets into trouble, and has full fledged temper tantrums over things like me closing the trash can lid. We have little things that work- like me giving him a bowl to stir, or pots to play with, but they only last for so long.

Last night Drew was in a typical rampage- angry because I closed the dishwasher door (where he kept pulling out knives, and dirty spoons). He kept angrily reopening the dishwasher after I would shut it, so when I finally secured it he decided to start pulling everything he could reach off the counter. Exasperated I told him no and tried to redirect him to something else while I went about my business putting the finishing touches on dinner.

It wasn't until Drew grabbed my legs and looked right up into my eyes that I finally stopped. I looked at him and saw that all he wanted was for a bit of my attention. Yes, dinner has to be cooked. Yes, I'm stressing over it FOR him and BECAUSE of him, but I finally took a breath and realized a few minutes wasn't going to make any difference. I sat down right on the kitchen floor and he immediately wedged his butt in my lap. I wrapped my arms around him, and just laid my cheek on his head. And we just sat there like that. He didn't want to play. He didn't want me to get him a snack. He didn't want to read a book. He just wanted to sit with his Mommy.

You would think this would have been enough to get my head out of my "to-dos" but after a few minutes I realized that I hadn't put the broccoli in the microwave yet. I said "Mommy's going to get up for a second" as I started to unwrap my arms. Drew quickly and firmly said "no!" and grabbed my arm and wrapped it back around his stomach. With tears in my eyes I just sat there. I took in his smell, his fuzzy hair, his calm breathing, and finally stopped and really enjoyed the moment. There will come a time when he won't want me to snuggle him. When I can't smother him in kisses and rest my cheek on his soft hair. Even when he gets over the teenage years of "despising" his parents, I realize that I won't be snuggling with a grown adult. So I smiled and reveled in my cuddly boy.

When we did finally get up to finish dinner, I took Drew with me; with him on my hip we finished cooking together.

I find it embarrassing that it took so much to get through to my brain that my little boy just wanted a little attention (not food). And what's worse is I know it won't be long before I go back to my typical frazzled-mother ways and forget that Drew isn't a pain, but a little boy who is learning, growing, and still enjoys a cuddle every now and then.

Monday Minute: From the backseat

This is how Drew entertains himself in the backseat of the van...

Funny to hear yourself coming out of your child's mouth... and how horrible it can sound! You can guess what word he has been hearing a lot of lately... (and no, I don't mean "why"... though that will be fun later...). I'm really not sure why he starts slapping his leg while saying it... I promise we don't hit. We haven't even spanked him. (And no, I'm not opening discussion on behavior management techniques... just saying). 

I have learned that the best way to prevent kids from saying "no" all the time is to avoid saying it yourself- to find a way to rephrase the "no" into a "yes". But let's be honest, "no" is the quickest, easiest way to get to the point. Especially if your child is about to climb up to the hot stove top, or yank the angry cat's tail, or pinch his Mommy... 

And I've been finding it kind of amusing lately to watch him actually express opinions using "no". The other day Jason offered Drew a bite of macaroni and cheese, which Drew happily ate. I then offered a bite of mashed potatoes. He looked at the fork, then shook his head and matter-of-factly said "No. No. No." and turned back to Jason for more macaroni.

I'd say a few "no"s sprinkled between the "bless you"s and "thank you"s is okay.

Drew gone Digital

I find it amazing watching children interact with technology. It fascinates me how at such young ages they can maneuver through websites, cell phones, iPads, etc. Part of me dislikes it, "get outside and play in the fresh air!". But the other part of me knows that children will NEED these skills to function in the working world when they get there. I notice huge differences between myself and many coworkers older than me (even by only a few years) and the way we use computers (not to mention the speed...). Don't get me wrong, there are many coworkers who are older than me and can use the computer just fine... but there does seem to be an advantage to having grown up with computers.

I've heard the term "technology native" and "technology immigrant" referring to those who have grown up with technology vs. those who have had to learn to use technology. I more or less grew up with technology (especially computers). I remember my dad bringing our first computer home and setting up Sesame Street games on it for my sister and I to play. I was probably 5 or 6? That would make it 1990ish? Right now, I couldn't even begin to use a card catalog to find a book in a library... And what on earth did you do for research projects before the internet??

When it comes to technology and Drew... the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends NO "screen time" (TV, computers, etc.) for children under the age of 2, even if it's educational. We really don't watch much TV in my house, so it's not a big deal to keep him away from that. But computers and phones? I try my best to keep them off while Drew and I play, but sometimes.... well, you just gotta look up that recipe... or post that picture on Facebook, or figure out what the weekend plans are with Stacey... So Drew has quickly learned that the computer and phone are FUN. In fact, he's learned to "use" the phone pretty well.

Drew texting...

(Speaking of maneuvering technology... I also had another cute video of him receiving a text while typing.... but I think the little bugger managed to erase it!)

And I did download a few games on the iPad for him to play. An ABC song, with a game that he can "type" like he does on my phone and it calls out the letters. Picture flashcards that teach animals and their sounds. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.... all of them work wonders when he's in the middle of a temper tantrum. He sits in my lap and we play and he laughs and giggles.

I think one of the keys is continuing to interact with your child. We tend to use TVs and computer games as babysitters, "you just sit there quietly while I get dinner cooked." That's certainly not a sin (hey, getting a healthy dinner on the table is important, too!), but I think it is important to limit the time, and, as much as possible, participate with your child. Talk about what your child is watching, or the game he/she is playing. And make sure he or she is actively engaged, and not just an audience needing to be entertained.

But having a three year old that can turn on the computer, get to his favorite game website, and play? I can just feel it coming...

Drew is reading!

Well, obviously he's not really reading. 

He is really starting to enjoy books, though! He will actually drag a book to me then whine until I put him in my lap and read it to him. That, of course, only lasts for a few pages before he's trying to pry the book out of my hands and turn and tap the pages himself. But the fact that he enjoys being read to, even for a few short minutes, is a good step. (And even the fact that he wants to turn the pages and imitate how I try to point out things in the book is great, too!)

He even loves quality content...

But not only does he enjoy being read to, and imitate the way I read the books, he's actually already memorizing the "words" that go with pictures. One of the books we read is called "Baby Faces". It's pretty much just that- pictures of babies' faces with a single word or phrase describing it: yippee, boo hoo, stinky, etc.. Me being me (and have a trace of "drama queen" in me) I read and act out the pages. Boo hoo involves lots of eye rubbing, sobs, and "tears" while stinky finds me plugging my nose and waving away awful aromas. Drew loves this and laughs and laughs. The other day he pulled the book out himself and turned to the page that said "yum-yum" and he started to make the lip smacking sound I make.

Maybe he is reading!