Well, Ethan is 20-months-old today. I dislike saying the age 20-months-old, because for some reason, people who don't have little kids always round 20-months up to "almost 2." Why, I don't know, since it is actually closer to 18-months than to 2. The conversation usually goes like this:
"Oh, he's so cute! How old is he?"
"He'll be 20-months-old on Friday."
"Oh, so he's almost two. I have a little niece who is two. She is the sweetest little thing, and so obedient!"
(thinking silently) "That's very nice. Was she sweet and obedient when she was 20-months-old?"
So anyway, Ethan has a new game this month that originated with our November house guest, Aunt Wendi. Not sure exactly how it started, but now it goes like this: Ethan stands still with his shoulders hunched over and his arms dangling close to his body in front of him. Then he cries out with gleeful panic "STUCK IN A BOX!" (His enunciation of this phrase is perfect.) Someone is supposed to run over to him and knock the pretend box away so he can move again. He plays this game every day until no one will knock his box away anymore. It is so extremely cute because he is giddy when someone saves him, and also because he does a superb job of standing still in his imaginary box.
Something else that he has been into a lot, really for a couple of months, is doing Melissa & Doug chunky puzzles. The puzzle pieces are thick and wooden, and there is an identical picture underneath each puzzle piece. So the puzzles are as easy as they could be, but Ethan LOVES them. I think one reason he enjoys them is because they are called puzzles, so he feels like he is doing something big, since Caleb also loves puzzles. He dumps out the 6-9 pieces in each one, and then puts each piece back, chattering all the while. The chattering is always punctuated by intermittent "Mama's!", which mean, of course, that I should turn and say something affirming.
As far as new accomplishments...Ethan can now walk up AND down stairs without holding onto the rail. We do not encourage him to do this, but since our stairs are only six-steps-high and carpeted, we don't discourage him either.
Ethan has continued to be more of a joy than a challenge this month. He loves learning new things, he loves making people happy, and he LOVES to communicate. He's big on reading books right now (which still usually means that he turns the pages and points at things while the "reader" simply labels them). Dancing and watching the Wiggles remain two of his favorite activities. Ranking right up there with them is going to McDonald's. We've been playing at McDonald's play areas quite frequently lately, and now EVERY time we pass the golden arches anywhere, Ethan starts calling out "Mc-don-alds! 'Ease! Mc-don-alds! 'Ease, Mama!" (I do feel bad that my 20-month-old knows the name of a fast food place.)
Here some final thoughts from Daddy about Ethan:
For several months now Ethan has continued to impress me with his ability to talk. He can properly say nearly every common animal name, repeat first time words immediately, and often uses 4-8 word sentences. He also loves to copy words and actions of any older children, especially his brother. My heart has been so warmed seeing them bond over the last few months. Ethan joyfully and shares with Caleb and wants to with him all the time. Recently Caleb was in trouble and wasn't allowed a toy, so Ethan ran over and asked for the toy then immediately gave it to Caleb. Rachel recently blogged about Ethan wanting to share timeout with Caleb. Caleb acts out his love for Ethan by sharing (although not as joyfully as Ethan), and protecting his brother. Just last night we were playing a game where I was an alligator trying to bite people. When I was approaching Ethan, Caleb got a scowl on his face, ran over to me and started pushing and fighting me away to allow time for Ethan to run to safety. Such actions are such a joy to me since I know that so many brothers spend their lives in rivalry. My brother and I have a great relationship and I pray the same for my boys.
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