At 19 months, Will can do and say so many things. I am surprised by him everday. Here are some recent examples:
- There's no more cherries on his plate. Will looks up and says, "All gone."
- We're in the garage. He sees his beach toys up on a shelf. He quietly walks over, and silently points to the big bucket of beach toys. We say, "Will, do you want to play with your beach toys?" Will slowly gets a big grin and says "Si!"
- Skip and Emily's cat, Sebsastian, quickly runs and hides after letting Will pet him. Will is surprised by this and with wide eyes, looks at us with his hands outstrenched and palms up. He shrugs and says "Where's Gato?"
- Will jumps out of my arms and runs over to Skip and Emily's room very early in the morning while they are still asleep. He screams out "MOMM-MEE!" to make sure I'm right behind him and then turns to me, puts his finger to his lips and says "Shhhh!"
- While standing in the shallow areas of the pool, he bends at his knees to blow bubbles in the water. Sometimes he'll get water in his mouth and then pretend to come in close to your cheek to kiss you. Just as you think you're about to feel a kiss, he squirts the water on your cheek.
- Jumps into my arms, pats my back in a big bear hug, and says "Mom-mee."
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Sunrise, sunset
Emily and Skip
Last night, we had a surprise, somewhat spontaneous, shower for Emily (and Skip!)
It was very important to me that my brother and future sister have a shower! We had planned to have it Sunday while Paul was here, but had to move it back to last night. It was fun -- presents, a few games, strawberry shortcake, pictures, and video. And we made the rehearsal bouquet! Afterwards, Emily, Skip, and I played "Settlers of Catan" and talked until the wee hours.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Our Daddy.
We believe that anyone who puts on those googles instantly looks like the kid from the line to see Santa Claus in "A Christmas Story" -- the one who tells Ralphie: "I like The Wizard of Oz." See what we mean?
Pool Time!
Last night, Paul, Will and I drove to Mobile for some R&R. My parents are coming for the 4th of July weekend, so I am staying here for the week and not going back with Paul Sunday night. (Now that we are a one car family, we have to rely on rides; I can't just take a car and go anymore!)
My professor is out of town for a few days so I'm not immediately needed for face time on campus, so I am here to save money on babysitting and get some work done. Also, Emily and Skip are coming Monday for a few days, so I wanted to be here so that Will (and I!) could spend time with them helping with final wedding details. We are looking forward to having a small (surprise!) shower for Skip and Emily when they get here!! (The original plan was to do it Sunday night while Paul was here, but they unfortunately had car problems and had to postpone a day.) We're now on Plan B and are excited about getting to see them. Will is also excited; he has been happily saying "Aunt Emily" (more like "Ah-E-Lee") for a few days now.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Getting ready for the potty?
Will made our day yesterday afternoon.
After lunch, Will and I went into the front room to play. Will climbed into my chair, and was very quiet, with a concentrated look to his face. He made a sort of grunt and cried out, then was silent and concentrated again. I walked over to him. But before I could say anything, he looked up at me and said, "Mom-mee, Poo-pee."
"Really? You have a poopie? Let me check."
What a happy surprise -- poopie!!
"Hooray, Will! You DID make a poopie! AND you told Mommy!"
Will made a poopie, then he TOLD me about it! A seriously red-letter day in our house!
Friday, June 24, 2005
The Trench, Part III
Here is the status of our side yard yesterday afternoon. (Our house is to the left; the new house being built by our future neighbors is to the right.) The pipe to the left (with the spouts connected to it) leads to the storm drain on the street. As you can see, we are also connected to it. The workmen hooked us up with the storm drain so that we, too, have a direct line. It was very nice of them and we are quite thankful. (Paul brought out cold water bottles and spent time chatting with them over the past few days; I made cookies.) Hooking us up to the storm drain is seriously helping us with potential draining problems in part caused by the construction next door, so we are happy.
The pipe to the right is a *sewer* pipe. It probably should have gone underneath the storm drain, since it needs some slope for obvious reasons. As the picture shows, once covered, it will sit only a few inches from the surface of the ground. (Watch out, landscapers!) This sewer line is for a toilet in the "cabana building" built on the back of the property, by the pool. That toilet sits on a slab of concrete, so there isn't a lot of room for this pipe to be properly graded. And since it's so long, it could take awhile for any problems to show up (we're assuming some clean outs will be installed along the way.) Let's hope it's enough!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Did I say that?
Things recently overheard, said by a voice that should have sounded like my Mother's, but really sounded like mine:
- "Please do not drive your Mother crazy today."
- "Sit on your bottom, please. No, your bottom. Bott-tum. Your bottom. Thank you."
- "Be good."
- "We CLOSE doors, not SLAM them."
- "I'm sorry, but you have to learn to listen to Mommy."
- "I think I'm hungry for some monkey toes."
- "What a great poo-pee!"
- "I'll feel so much better if you just eat one more bite."
- "Are you trying to make me crazy?"
Armchair Quarterback for Baby Einstein
Will allowed me a few moments to observe him this afternoon, while he was mesmerized by his favorite Baby Einstein DVD. I was able to take some pictures of his reactions while he watched.
Drainage, continued.
Here is the pipe, as it appeared this afternoon. (Our house is to the left, the new construction is to the right.) The white run-offs are where our drains hook into the main drain, which empties to the storm drain. The gas line is underneath this. The sewer drain will (somehow...?) go above.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Annoying Thing
As Will was running around the house this weekend, making all his clicks, gurgles, babbles, motorboats, zerbers, and other assorted sounds, Paul suddenly turned to me with a look of horror and amusement on his face (a common look for parents).
"Oh my God. Our child sounds just like the Annoying Thing."
I hadn't heard of the Annoying Thing until then. Now that I've been introduced, I can only say that Paul was right: Will completely sounds like that crazy frog.
To have the experience, first see the short clip made as a college project by the creator. To see more, check out the short "Axel F" video. It's just like being at home with Will.
Future Beachfront Property?
In conversation with the crew next door, we found out today that our house is ABOVE sea level. Considering that virtually all of the city of New Orleans is 4-8 feet BELOW sea level, this was very exciting news.
Will's Kitchen
Granna and PapPap brought Will his first BIG TOY. Will has a little tikes kitchen! Will loves playing in our kitchen so much we thought it was a good idea to try him out in his own. This one has a stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher, fridge, iron and ironing board, microwave, and more. Mostly, Will really enjoys taking things in and out of the cabinets. It's special feature is that it speaks three languages (english, french, and spanish... unfortunately the spanish is a dialect of northern spain so somewhat difficult for those of us used to north and south american spanish to understand). There are mixed reviews of the speaking, but so far, it isn't bad. And to our great suprise and delight, he really is enjoying playing in it. He even passed up an opportunity to enter and begin destruction in our kitchen (a favorite past-time) to play in his own. We are hoping that the interest lasts!
The Trench
Rawlins (foreman for the property being built next door) dug this trench between our houses today with the backhoe. This is where the pipe to the storm sewer will be laid. Both of our homes will tap into the line to help with drainage. Paul and I gawked at this for awhile this afternoon. We don't know how he managed to fit the backhoe between the houses, much less manuver it around the down spout, miscellaneous pipes and lines, and the sides of the houses. Serious skill!
