November 17, 2009

It shocks me that someone who can't say many words can certainly communicate so clearly. Last night Dad was watching Blaze while I went to a MOPS meeting (Mothers Of Preschoolers). Blaze did the sign language sign for "eat". Tim asked if Blaze was hungry, then started heading into the kitchen. Blaze ran ahead of his dad, pulled out the square skillet that we make grilled cheese sandwiches and pancakes on, laid it on the floor in front of the oven and tried to climb up into his high chair. Tim figured he had a 50/50 shot at guessing what Blaze wanted. Ha! So, together they pulled the high chair over, Blaze climbed up into it (needing help to turn around and sit down), Tim gave him some snack foods until the grilled cheese was ready. Blaze then ate the entire thing, sharing only a few bites with Maggie. Too funny!

He now picks out the dvds he wants to watch. He gets into the DVD cabinet and pulls out whatever he wants. He picks out his books, throwing many on the floor until he finds the right one. AND…this weekend he picked out a small plush Mickey Mouse, wearing a snowman sweater and slippers to take home from the Disney store. It was love at first sight. He held it so sweetly and put his face against it…people around us "ooohhhhed" over him. During the ride home he kept rubbing noses with it. Such a sweet memory. Earlier that day we saw a version of Santa walking around a shopping center. I held Blaze while we had our picture taken with him. Santa is smiling and I am cuddling a terrified little boy away from him. Yeesh. I was glad we didn’t pay for the picture! They wanted $20 for a picture of Santa and the live reindeer, but we didn’t do that. I figured a picture of a terrified Blaze is something I could take on my own! He IS quite vocal and expressive about things he doesn't like, too. He, on occasion, will stomp his feet, throw himself down, force tears out of his eyes and follow me around the house doing this, while I ignore it. (I admit I wish I could do the same thing, too, on some days.) Quite often it's a showdown to see if Blaze or Mommy will give in first…much to the amusement of the other adults in the household. Mommy holds her own, knowing we've got to adjust this behavior before he gets older. But it's a challenge. We'll get him there. It's so wonderful that his adorableness outweighs the occasional tantrum!

Besides communicating his desires, Blaze is also into EVERYTHING…literally. He got his fingers pinched in a sock drawer. He got his hand stuck in a drawer that has a small opening, to pull it open with, and he couldn’t figure out how to get it out. He figured out that we open the front door, he could see outside if he stood near the hinges. His screams, coupled with Melissa's after she shut the door and realized his hand was in it, quickly taught them both a lesson…and brought me quickly up the stairs! He climbs up the backs of chairs, he sat on top of Grandma Becky's coffee table when we were visiting, danced on the Wii Fit board while watching "Happy Feet" with Annika. You know when he's been in the kitchen because every pot and pan is out. He climbs to the top of his Little Tikes slide and refuses to come down without holding onto a grown up's finger--even though he lets go of it before hitting the floor! He is just an energetic little boy, and our lives are so much richer because of him. We are truly blessed.

The first weekend of November, we made the trip up to Jeff City and Columbia. Blaze got to spend time with Grandma Becky and play with her dog Buddy. He played with his cousin Annika and sweetly interacted with Mattias who is six months younger than Blaze. It’s amazing what a difference those 6 months make! We got some adorable pictures of Blazey and his cousins. It was so nice to see them.

Thanks for your continued prayers!