Yesterday Isaac and I went to the Trader Joe’s for some rations. As we were checking out Isaac was offered a balloon, in the color of his choice (which happened to be orange). When we got home he really played with the balloon for the first time, bouncing it around on its string for a while then letting go. After it floated up to the ceiling he would point at it and say “Up high!”, and then turn to me with a beseeching look and say “Help.” At which point I would have to get up, pull down the balloon and hand it to him. We did this approximately four thousand times.
This morning when I got up I noticed that the balloon had lost its buoyancy, and was lying forlornly on the kitchen floor. I heard Isaac milling around in his room, and when I opened the door he was standing on his toy chest under the window, completely behind the curtain. He poked out his head and said “Hiding!” This was a pleasant and amusing greeting; the odor I was simultaneously assaulted with was not.
Fondly recalling my full time duties as the poopsmith I changed his diaper, and afterwards as I was cleaning up Isaac ran into the kitchen and found his balloon. He brought it into the bedroom and said “Up high!” and let it go, only to watch it fall back to floor. A puzzled look came across his face as he tried to fathom this change in behavior. He picked up the balloon, stared at it for a few seconds, then handed it to me and said “New batteries!”
I laud his problem solving skills, and look forward to them being connected to reality some day.
There have been a lot of birthdays this year. Last weekend we went to Nara Park to celebrate Matthew’s birthday, a friend from former day care. It was a stellar day:
Isaac loves Amy, and asked about her whereabouts the whole time we were there.
On the fourth we went on the third annual Ethan Allen parade. Isaac and his date Aine got to get pulled by me in the fancy wagon I decorated. All the neighborhood kids were there, showing off their not nearly as well decorated conveyances.
Today we had a nice little party for Isaac’s second birthday, which happens officially on July 2. Aine, Andy, and Millie came over along with their parents, and everyone played and ate and generally had a good time. Isaac played with his presents non-stop until he went to bed, which is great because we need to retire some of his more baby-ish toys. So thanks again to everyone who came over and sent presents.
What a thing, having a two year old! We’re really starting to feel the parenting now, as opposed to the life support. Isaac is a thinking, talking, human being and we have to work extra hard now not to screw him up. Lucky for us he’s a sweet natured kid who likes hugs, and naps, and Kix, and brothers, and being outside, and trucks, and books; it makes it easier.
The words keep on coming. Isaac is up to using two and three word phrases, although he’s still repeating words more than using them spontaneously. Still, he’s getting more fun to talk to even though our conversations are fairly banal.
