It's been quite a while since I did an Owen update. I think to do it, but then quickly become overwhelmed with all of the developments that have been happening over the last few (7-8?) months. So I'll just try to hit some highlights and forgive myself for being a bad record-keeper.
Owen is an amazing communicator. I (and most other folks that aren't with him on a daily basis) can understand what he is saying 97% of the time, the other 3% being when he is intentionally speaking jibberish for fun. He speaks in clear sentences ("I want my water bottle." "Can we go to Starbucks?" etc), follows instructions (when he wants to), and repeats what he hears.
He's counting. He doesn't count things- at least not accurately most of the time- but he counts from 1-10 with no problem. Scratch that- he counts from 1-11. Anytime he sees numbers he starts counting. He can identify the number 2 (only that one consistently) and we are starting to work (intentionally, since it's been in fun up to this point) on identifying more numbers, counting groups of objects, etc.
He correctly names some colors and asks for some of his favorite things based on their color (blue cup, white shirt, yellow diaper)
He'll read to himself, though he is not saying any decipherable words. This is hilarious to hear. He'll just pick up a book and start rambling. It's the intonation that is right on.
He has some pretty good manners, thanks in no part to us. Ha! We are pretty inconsistent with our own please's and thank you's (bad, bad parents) but it certainly makes us want to do better when Owen will give us a thank you with no prompt. He also asks for permission to do things, i.e. "Can I?" or "Can I press button?" He also offers things to us... sometimes.
Speaking of sharing, he is totally entering the phase where everything is his (mine! mine! mine!) and it's always his turn. Oh, brother. I know this is a totally normal stage of development as he discovers personal boundaries, but wow is it ever annoying. I'm sorry- but it really is annoying. Sigh. We'll get through it.
He is quite proficient at using the iPad and iPod. I know- worthless technology unsuitable for kids, blah blah blah, but let me say a few things that are totally redeeming this terrible habit. First, he is able to find a menu (say, in his Thomas the Train app) and pick the menu selection that he desires. Second, he is able to do puzzles. Sure, they are 2-D puzzles but he is figuring out how to manipulate and connect puzzle pieces. This is remarkable, in my opinion. Third, he is tuning his fine motor skills. Of course, we prefer that he hone these skills on 3-dimensional objects but the technology is nice when we need quiet moments (i.e. restaurants, airplanes, etc.) For a kid who doesn't get screen time on a regular basis (we have no TV) we feel okay with having this as a treat of sorts.
As far as gross and fine motor skills, he can run, kick a ball, throw overhand, scribble, pour contents of one container into another, build large towers and line up objects.
Socially, he loves the company of other children, imitates behaviors, and is very imaginative. He is becoming very independent and likes to do things without help.
Physically, he is just a little guy (can you believe it?!) He's 26.5 lbs (25th %ile) and 32.5 inches tall (10th %ile). He is a pretty good eater as far as quantities, but pickiness changes day-to-day. He is sleeping through the night consistently and napping in late morning everyday.
Other fun stuff: He loves doing yoga poses. I am not at all a yoga aficionado, but I do have a prenatal yoga DVD that I've done one time (psh, slacker) with him and he has a yoga book for children. It's so funny to watch.
He has an amazing memory. If you have kids of your own I think you know that these kiddos remember far more than we think they will. It's interesting to think that as an adult he may recall some of his first memories as moments from this year (age 2-3).
He is such an amazing big brother. I know his sibling isn't "here" yet, but he always asks about "her" (again, we don't know the gender yet) and will feel or kiss my belly without prompting. He loves hearing her heartbeat. He asks when she is coming out, and wants to know how big she is. He also loves looking at photos of growing fetuses to check how big she is getting. I think he'll be really excited to see photos of the baby at the ultrasound. We have many talks about what it will be like to be a big brother and I think he is excited for his new role. He knows that Kraig was a big brother, and also asked if I have a big brother (I do, of course). I know there will be some bumps and some rivalry along the way but we are really excited to see him in this new role, too.
He is best friends with Sophie. He says so himself :) He loves to play ball with her and give her hugs. He wants kisses (on his hand) from her every night before he goes to bed. When we are out he wonders where Sophie is and wants to get home to her. When she comes up to him to play he says "Sophie likes me!" So sweet!
He is such a little lover. He attaches to people quickly and has his favorites. He loves "Papa Gordon" next door, Marissa at Kearney Plaza (yes, he says "Kearney Plaza"), "Uncle Joe and Uncle Greg", Toria the neighbor girl, Baby Sam a couple of blocks away as well as his dad "Uncle Paul". I could go on and on and on. He is a little social butterfly.
He wants to go on airplanes all the time. All. The. Time. I don't know why he thinks we are always traveling! I try to explain that we won't be going on an airplane for a very, very, very long time. He doesn't care what I say :)
And, a word on potty-training. Sigh. I knew boys would be harder to train, but wow. We've been talking about it for what, a year? I can't say there hasn't been progress but he is totally not into going potty on the toilet. I should say, he wants to when he decides he wants to, but that's usually when he doesn't actually have to go. He's okay with trying #1 on the potty but definitely not #2. DEFINITELY NOT. Generally speaking, he doesn't want to wear big-boy undies and he begs for his diaper. What a mess we have here. We're still trying and still wanting him to be daytime trained before Baby Tiny shows up (not that he cares what we want). It's summer (ish) so hopefully we can get this taken care of ASAP, you know, without rushing him :) (If one more person tells me "it is still too early for potty training" I might scream.)
I'm sure I'm missing a lot of milestones but I think that's sufficient for now.
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