The knight

Inspired by the prince character in Sleeping Beauty (yes, I am on "vacation" at my parents in TN. and have relaxed any ideals I may have regarding the viewing of Walt Disney movies).

.

More Angelo walking

In just two days of real walking, Angelo has mastered turning around, going from room to room and is close to running. It's still exciting to us though. And several times a day Abraham exclaims, "look Mom, he's really walking!" Poor Aaron is missing it all so here's some more footage for his benefit. Angelo is also on his way to mastering the English language with the latest addition of "bat man" into the mix.

Angelo walks

Ang has finally decided to go for it and start walking. I guess months of walking around pushing around the stoller and holding our hands paid off. Here's a very short video. Abraham is pretty excited about it too. We are currently in Chattanooga and not with Aaron. So, this video is especially for him.

Brotherly love?

Here's a typical scenario:
Angelo is minding his own business. Abraham is bored.

Angelo's book is taken. He fights for it.

But it's thrown across the room. Abraham is victorious.

Questions with questions

Abraham's been stumping me lately. A couple of examples:

Me: Abraham, why do you want to wear so many shirts at once?
Abe: Why do rabbits like carrots?

*******

Abe: I can't play soccer unless I have a field and a goal and soccer shoes
Me: In Africa children play in the dirt and use tin cans as balls
Abe: Are we in Africa?

Angelo is 15 months!

I just remembered that yesterday was Angelo's 15 month birthday. Here's a little story about him. Mornings when Aaron and I both have to work can be tough around our house. The other day Aaron, Abraham and I were kind of quiet in the car. I was seething inside as nothing infuriates me more than the Forest Hills area of Jamaica Plain. All of a sudden Angelo started making some noises to get Abraham's attention--he has numerous ways of doing this including a fake cough or some other particular sound he only makes for getting attention from Abraham in a car. Once Abraham looked over at him, he really started putting on a show for him with a monologue of jibberish and wild hand gestures and finger pointing. Abe started cracking up. Aaron and I had huge smiles on our face. And I was thankful for the little guy in the back.

His list of words is growing and once he gets a word down, he repeats it over and over. Shoe is one of his favorites--as he was telling every one a Trader Joes the other day-- as is eye (AYYYYYYYY--usually accompanied by hand gestures-ie poking out someone's eye). He's almost walking and will be any day once he gets a little more confidence. I am amazed at how far he will walk pushing Abraham in the stroller or holding onto my finger.

Somethings that can be found in the backseat of our car

This is actual inventory. It's ridiculous but true.

1) Shark mask
2) balls
3) black stuffed dog--to give to Ang when he becomes unhappy. He immediately begins hugging the dog, looking at in the eyes and saying "dog!" over and over
4) sippy cup with very old liquid in it
5) discarded toast
6) apple slice mostly eaten except for the skin
7) batman mask
8) foam pirate sword
9) a few socks
10) beach towels
11) pirate kite I was forced to buy at a kite festival
12) miniature peter pan
13) My running shoes--if I ever run again, I know I am going to searching all over for them
14) one sandy "water shoe"

The zoo

We went to the Franlin Park zoo today with Umi, Lucy and Elliott the squirmer. We spent a lot of time in the hot, sticky, stinky gorilla house. But we did get up close and personal with one. Angelo was scared of the gorillas at first and cried and pointed to the door when we got close. So, he spent most of the time pushing the stroller around. He did more walking today than Abe and Lucy and at one point was pushing the stroller with both of them in it.

One our way to the zoo we stopped by the bakery so I could give my kids sugar and myself some caffeine. When we got out Angelo's ball rolled out of the car and down the hill. A nice stranger returned it and I thought I had put it back in the car. Angelo started saying ball over and over and making an inquistive face and upturned hands. I just kept repeating ball back. Later I realize he was trying to tell me that the ball had actually escaped from the car again. So, I guess he's actually using words to communicate with us now rather than just saying words.

That will teach me.