BEAUTY SLEEP: He has become more challenging lately, I'm guessing because he doesn't take naps much anymore. We almost always have him take 'naptime,' but that is usually spent with him singing to himself jumping off his bed or tearing up books (he didn't do it for a month, and we had a relapse a few days ago... grrr). Anyway, he seems to be easily upset, and will often cry at the drop of a hat when we do something he doesn't like. He still tends to be a good kid, but he has such extreme moments sometimes.
MOMMY's LITTLE HELPER: One thing I am grateful for is his desire to help. Though it can add to my time-managing frustration, it's nice to know he likes to spend time doing what I do. Mostly this is limited to helping with laundry or getting the mail, but he also is very good about throwing away trash or getting something for the baby.
BOY/GIRL, GIRL/BOY: Recently, Kaleb and I had a discussion about gender, and I was able to catch a bit of it on video. I think it may be awhile before he really understands the difference, but never hurts to start some things early:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRkOLpiOBvo
I'm sure Ammon will be very disappointed in me for sharing this, but speaking of gender confusion: While we were visiting Aunt Tashina the other day, Kaleb found a bottle of orange nail polish (his favorite color), and asked Tashina with his fingers extended, "I have prettys?" So Tashina was nice enough to paint his fingernails. SO FUN!!
CHURCH: What I'm loving most of all of Kaleb's learning are his experiences from church. Right now his favorite songs include "I'm trying to Be Like Jesus" or I'm a Child of God." He has become very aware of finding Jesus in random pictures and books and sculptures. This includes when watching Harry Potter movies, and Kaleb calls out "Jesus" whenever Dumbledore comes on. Another fun time is trying to entertain Kaleb at church. The other day, I had given Kaleb a notepad and pen to draw with while I went to the bathroom. Well, Ammon got distracted with Sasha and forgot to watch Kaleb. Within a few minutes, Kaleb had drawn all over his face. Thankfully baby wipes are handy for much more than poopy diapers.
MEMORY: A smart purchase we made a few months ago were some cards that we got in a 3-pack at the dollar store. They come in matching pairs, so Kaleb and I have enjoyed playing matching games. Pretty soon, he will be ready to play memory.
WHATYATALK? WHATYATALK? One of the best parts about Kaleb getting older is his ability to speak. I love it when he picks up his toy phones and calls up grandpa (not sure which, but apparently he is the only on he likes to call), and asks if he's at work, then hangs up. He is more than comfortable talking on real phones with us as well. The best part of all is that he is saying his prayers every night... with our help of course. Now he's demanding we say them before his naps as well, such a good example. The following are some Kaleb-isms:
"What you doing?" (Said to anyone and everyone he can)
"LOOK-A-MAMA!!" (Said to anyone nearby, mom or otherwise)
"I farted!!" (Recently been replaced with "Scuse me!"
"I did it!" (Whether someone else really did it or not)
"Mackabutt" (Smack your butt)
"It's a hm..." (His answer to "What's that, Kaleb?" and he doesn't know the answer)
"It's a WARRRR!!" (Big cats are just known for their growls)
"RAAAARRR" (Yes he growls all the time)
Some of my favorite mispronunciations: SEELAY (silly), PORN (Popcorn), Fenden (Seven), Taybuh (Kaleb)
CLOTHING: Kaleb's getting better at helping with his clothing, including pulling up his pants and taking off his shirts. Plus he likes to put on his socks. Occasionally he will get sick of his socks and take on off... and then get involved in other activities... leaving one sock on. It makes me laugh every time!
BIG BANG: It has become evident to Ammon and me that we have been watching a little too much of our favorite show The Big Bang Theory. Yesterday, while watching it, we changed the channel when it got to commercial, and Kaleb looked around and said, "I want Bang Bang..." The other day, Ammon was watching it in the TV room and Kaleb was eating at the kitchen table, and just from listening, he could tell it was "Bang Bang?" My favorite story has to do with a song that is sung occasionally in the show called 'Soft Kitty.' The first line of the song is "Soft kitty, Warm kitty." Last week when I went into Kaleb's room first thing in the morning, I noticed his feet were cold, so I started rubbing them. I kept saying "Warm feet. Warm feet" Then he started singing "Warm cat, warm cat." I got the giggles from that!
Mmmmm... celery and peanut butter. Nuff said!
Playing at the park with his cousins!
For Thanksgiving, we went to my parents for the turkey dinner. Playing in the backyard brought on the opportunity to shoot some hoops!
His Thanksgiving Dinner, he only really enjoyed the deviled eggs and carrots.
CHRISTMAS: I'm starting to wonder if having a favorite holiday is genetic. Kaleb is LOVING everything about Christmas. We were able to get a new tree this year, so opening it and setting it up was a thrill for us too!
We got some train ornaments that have been such a joy for Kaleb... leaving glitter EVERYWHERE since Kaleb has driven them on couches, crashed them in the kitchen and so on.
Finally they made it to the Christmas tree. The longer we have the tree up, the better Kaleb is getting at leaving it alone.
Since the Christmas tree has temporarily displaced one of our decorative fake tree, Kaleb found a whole new use for it: a Target for throwing daddy's socks! Don't worry, the tree didn't stay in front of that couch... and the socks didn't stay in the tree.
BIG BROTHER: Kaleb's all-time favorite thing is his little sister. Here she is about to be eaten by him. Actually he was going in for a kiss, but for some reason, the pre-kiss face looks menacing.
Holding hands! He ALWAYS has to hold her hands!
