Just as I was wondering what to write about for Ronan's monthly update (19 months!), our daycare center passed out CDs with pictures of each of our kids over the past year. Ronan started there almost 1 year ago, a few weeks after we arrived around the fourth of July. Seeing these pictures is a potent reminder that however slow each sleepless night may feel, time marches on and memory fades from view. The seven month old baby I was so nervous about leaving in a new daycare seemed so grownup in spirit. Watching an old video of his laughing, flailing, uncoordinated motions I can't help but think the opposite. (Incidentally it must be wicked strange to watch a second child grow up after having experienced one.)
I've put my favorite of the year's pictures in an album here, which contain more and more blackmail-able moments as time goes on.
This one (from 11 months old) isn't half bad for that purpose...
Through three family visits in May and June Ronan has had a ton of quality time with his fans. He refers to people who aren't present as "outside", so Grossvater, Oma, Nana, Papa, Tata, and Boo are all outside now, together with "dada's noisy mower." He remembers so many funny details: yesterday at the local outdoor store he spotted my shoes in a wall display (same color and model) and pointed out "mama shoes." Then he pointed at "tata shoes" -- and in fact he had correctly IDed her yellow Keen sandals!
As he turns 19 months Ronan:
*Thinks kisses made owies better and actively solicits them after a fall
*Is fascinated by ice, bubbles, chipmunks, guitars, hiding, and noises most of all
*IDs bumblebees, dragonflies, spiders, chipmunks and other wildlife
*Likes to label sounds and vehicles: airplane (aemain), noisy generator, big truck, mower, tractor, car, bicycle
*Holds elaborate conversations made of 2-4 word sentences (but most often 3).
Upon seeing rain on a car window Ro pronounced "water on it", and when I come home without an umbrella I am "wet mama." Without explicit guidance he figured out that my name is Annaliese and he says it almost perfectly but without an "L". He has started to memorize his books and knows that while spaghetti is yummy, worms are yucky (to eat). He now asks to be put in his crib/go night-night when he is very tired, but if he is not tired then he expressly prohibits the hobo song (lullabye). He has started to have melt-downs especially when tired, but my inner-5-year-old cringes to admit a connection between sleep and emotional state.
While Ronan looks little like his 7 month old self, his teacher reviews from early on still ring true. This is a child who knows what he wants, is good at communicating, focuses intently on things, and is delightful. He's now also active and exploratory, and does not much yield to quiet snuggles or hugs unless he is sleepy. But there are still plenty of sleepy nights to get those too.
Upon seeing rain on a car window Ro pronounced "water on it", and when I come home without an umbrella I am "wet mama." Without explicit guidance he figured out that my name is Annaliese and he says it almost perfectly but without an "L". He has started to memorize his books and knows that while spaghetti is yummy, worms are yucky (to eat). He now asks to be put in his crib/go night-night when he is very tired, but if he is not tired then he expressly prohibits the hobo song (lullabye). He has started to have melt-downs especially when tired, but my inner-5-year-old cringes to admit a connection between sleep and emotional state.
While Ronan looks little like his 7 month old self, his teacher reviews from early on still ring true. This is a child who knows what he wants, is good at communicating, focuses intently on things, and is delightful. He's now also active and exploratory, and does not much yield to quiet snuggles or hugs unless he is sleepy. But there are still plenty of sleepy nights to get those too.
