Legend LOVES attention and doesn't have a shy bone in his body. We recently went to a family party at the Tupou residence for Kashmere's birthday and he loved exploring the house, looking around, and meeting all the people there! He loved hamming it up to all the pretty girl cousins and aunties and had fun teasing all the boys.
Legend LOOOOOOOVES his grandpas. While Henry and Becky were in Arizona we would skype with them every once in a while to catch up and see the kids. Legend figured out that some how grandpa was in the computer, so now he'll walk up to the computer, push the buttons or move the mouse around and say "grampa!!" (which is very good at saying). So we had to put this picture on the back ground of the computer for legend to see whenever he wants
He gets so happy and excited every time he sees this picture and especially when he sees grandpa in person!
Legend is saying so many words and picking up so many new signs. It drives me absolutely crazy when I hear people saying that teaching kids to sign will slow them down... obviously people who think that are slow themselves. It is a LANGUAGE!!! Even if a child preferred to sign over speaking for a while, at least they are communicating instead of being helpless and frustrated. Legend's new signs include book, brush teeth, please, shoes, bird, sometimes cat, strawberry, eat, shower, light, drink, water (sort of, that one requires some coordination for a baby), car, baby, airplane, slide, music, and probably more that I am just not thinking of right now. It really is so impressive. I will sign something over and over for a few days and think, Maybe he just won't pick this one up, then one day he'll just surprise me and do it! I had been signing book for a day or so without much acknowledgement about it from legend, when one morning we were getting dressed and I noticed him looking at his book shelf in his bedroom (which we use for books as well as diapers, shoes, toys, etc). He put his hands out in a sign I'd never seen him use so I wasn't sure if he was really trying to say something or just being silly when he said, "kuh, kuh, kook" then pointed, and I realized he wanted to read a book! I was so excited! It really doesn't slow babies down, he still tries to say the words but without the sign I may never have realized what he was trying to say and just taken it for baby babble! I love signing with him, it has been so amazingly helpful.
Legend is so perceptive of what I'm doing. Today I swept up something off the floor so he went to the kitchen drawer, grabbed a hot pad, and stared wiping up the floor! He saw me reading a book while eating lunch the other day, so the next day when I put him in his high chair and got out his food, he pointed to the book shelf, then said and signed "kook" (book) and wanted to read while eating! ha ha. It made my day so I went and got a little ABC book of his to set on his tray while he ate. He tries to help me sweep the floors, he picks up toys and puts them in the kitchen garbage (not helpful, but he's trying), and likes to take showers like mom and dad do! He is so smart, it really is so fun to see him learn and grow.
He has figured out how to wave so he will wave to say hi or to get someone's attention if they are not looking at him and smiling at him. He is a cheese ball for sure.
He is a typical boy that loves cars, airplanes, trucks, balls, playing in the dirt, and all other boy activities. He has no fear and loves to go down slides at Cherry Hill or parks. He is learning to climb on things (and fall off things) and getting pretty coordinated. He almost never falls while walking anymore, he climbs in his wagon and on the fireplace mantle, he has figured out how to turn around to go down the stairs or get off the bed (although that didn't work so well the other day and he fell off!),
he teases the dog all the time by taking his bone away or playing in his food dish while he's trying to eat (good thing Avett is SO patient),
he loves to explore and get in to things, dump things out, close and open doors, and get in to trouble constantly! He tries to use forks and spoons to feed himself and actually makes it to his mouth most of the time, which is pretty impressive. He will only sit quietly for more than two seconds with his daddy. Never his mom. SAD! But it's okay, because when he is hurt or sad, it's his mommy he wants :) He loves to go in the car and be out and about running errands and still does pretty well when he's getting tired if he's being entertained.
sitting with daddy while he's on the computer
giving baby kisses
just before my grandpa's funeral. He is such a "little man" now. No more baby!
this boy loves to be outside
Legend is keeping me on my toes and super busy, but I love him so much. Whenever I get frustrated or have a long day, I just have to re evaluate my perspective and it usually fixes everything. I just have to notice the deep dimple in his right cheek, or the way he walks or the funny things he says. Look at his ever auburn turning brown hair that's curling in the back or his big brown eyes. I just have to pick him up and ask for a hug or tickle him to make him laugh or pull out a book and watch him explore as he finds woody and buzz in his favorite pop up book. This kid is the love of my life!
