Playing with Others

I don't know if all children do this, but we have noticed that Patrick has distinct and varying favorite activities that he does with each individual he knows. He remembers which activity goes with which person and we are rarely allowed to change them up (sometimes, we are not allowed to change them up at all).

With his grandmother, he want's to eat, drink, and/or play with anything that's hers. She had to use a cane for a while and to this day, it is one of the most amazing toys for him. The walker became his "Cadillac" ... to ride in around the house. He loves the snacks and drinks, especially when it's from the containers she is using.

With his grandfather, he loves to sit back and watch financial news reports or sports. We can generally count on Papap putting him to sleep at least one night a week this way.

With his mother, he'll sit patiently as she reads him a book ... not with anyone else. He also loves to hear her sing "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and barely listens whens someone else sings it.

With me, he loves to sit at my computer and type on the keyboard and use the mouse ... so glad that I got a heavy-duty gamer mouse and keyboard!

With one of his cousins, he'll race around the house (still using a walker at this point) while being chased. With anyone else, he is the one doing the chasing.

These activities are specific to each individual. He'll tolerate someone else trying the same activity, but you can tell from his responses that he is definitely not as interested ...

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"Hello?"

We walked into my parents house ... looking for Papap. "Hello," we called. "'Ello," Patrick mimicked. "Hello," we called again, laughing a bit. "'Ello," Patrick mimicked again, delighted that he could get us laughing that easily. Out in the back yard, he went for the shovel (small blue plastic one I got for him a while back). "Maybe he should go shovel in the sand-box," Papap said ... Off he went to the sand-box, lugging the shovel. Later I asked him if he wanted raisins. Shaking his head no, he headed for the fridge. "Eeze," he said ... Cheese, he intended. His comprehension and vocal capacity is growing by leaps and bounds!

Grandma, Papap, and a Cell Phone

His visit with Grandma and Papap was cool. We played with everyone ... kind of bouncing in between. We ate dinner. This went well until I gave him Grandma's old cell phone (deactivated, should only be able to dial 911 ... waiting for that one). Once he got the phone, there was no interest in food. You have to remember that he has always been fascinated with cell phones, but is usually monitored very closely and rarely gets to hold it for long ... and, he can tell the difference between the real one and the fake one ... this one was real! Eventually, we got the phone away from him and he did eat ... Later, after more playing, he turned to his Grandma and waved goodbye. He then proceeded to give out hugs and kisses. When asked, he indicated that he was ready to go home ... rapid head nod (Yes). He indicated the same when asked if he wanted to come back tomorrow. I guess he was ready to go ...

A Simple Evening

We had my parents over for dinner last night ... Patrick and Jen prepared dinner, even going as far as making brownies for desert! It was very cool watching Patrick cuddle with his Grandfather. It is always amazing to me how those two get along. It was also very cool watching Patrick and his Grandmother read a book together ... Before dinner, he got a chance to show off the cast-iron toy stove that Jen had played with as a child. This has become one of his favorite toys ... the parts certainly make a lot of noise when he tosses them across the room. At dinner, I sat next to Patrick, across from his grandparents ... their expressions as they watched him were sheer joy and a joy to watch, as well. At one point, I asked Patrick to show them the Moon and Stars in his room. He has a humidifier that lights up, projecting colored starts and a moon on the ceiling ... he loves them. He immediately headed for the stairs, and turned to his grandparents and signaled come on ... a q

Fatherhood

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