Gavin-isms

I've been meaning to type up this post for a while now. I wanted to take a few minutes to document the most recent happenings with Gavin.

Gavin is now 27 months old and just a typical two year old. His attention span lasts all of 10 seconds typically - moving from one thing to the next.

As far as activity goes, he loves just about anything that involves running, hopping, marching, climbing, etc . Climbing is a particular favorite, mainly when it's not an appropriate place for such displays of toddler-ism.

He loves imitating and seems to be picking things up so quickly and trying to replicate, another favorite. He will copy lines or actions from movies, laughing at himself as he repeats it. He plays a good "mean monkey" from Toy Story, you the know the one with the symbols who surveys the daycare? And he has a near perfect imitation of the "momma walk" which involves him sticking out his belly, hands on belly rubbing, and walking. Yes, it is the classic pregnant woman waddle. He does a flamingo, picking up one leg to stand on the other. And is frequently proud to show of his muscles when shirtless. He calls it "show 'em" because he's so proud to do it.

As far as toys go, he is very into animals, dinosaurs, anything Toy Story, balls and bubbles (his outdoor hospital activities), cooking in his kitchen set from Aunt Jodi's house (his number 1 fave right now, given his love for the movie Ratatouille), his Leapster Laptop for learning letters, coloring, and any sort of truck, particularly construction trucks. He loves his construction truck books from his birthday - and has many parts of them memorized. He is more imaginative in his play as well. He likes to feed his toys and offer them beverages saying they are "hungry" or "thirsty". He will also put them down to sleep for night time and then exclaim "all done" or "morning" when it's time for them to get up.

His language skills: He is just talk, talk, talking up a storm. He know talks in 4-5 word sentences and understands concepts like I, you, me. And his annunciation is really very good for a two year old. Occasionally, "r" sounds like "w", but not always. Here are some of his favorite sayings right now (you'll see some of them are due to our hospital situation):

"Oh yeah!" - a pretty standard response to questions.

"Right there" when pointing at something

"Okay then"

"Navin" or "Davin" when asked what his name is...doesn't quite have the "G" sound down, though he can say other words that start with a "G".

"Hi there" to just about any stranger who passes by (with a big smile and giggle, too)

"Construction trucks out there" (wow, that's 6 syllables)

"Go for chair ride?" when requesting to go for a wheelchair ride with me.

"Nurses buttons" when pointing at buttons he's not supposed to touch because they are only for the nurses. He's better about this now that he's learned.

"Elevator button", he likes pushing the buttons when we go on a wheelchair ride. It used to be "vator button", but he's evolved into the full word now.

"This thumb", a line from Ratatouille (the "this" is very drawn out).

The other day he said "I want bapes". "Bapes" are grapes. But I was just impressed that he used a full sentence to ask. Usually, it's just "bapes, bapes, bapes..." repeated in an increasingly piercing tone until some responds and gets him grapes.

"Thank you" is being used much more frequently now. We need to work on "please" and "you're welcome" a little bit more. Sometimes he'll even say "thank you honey" or "thank you sweetheart" because this is what we say to him when we thank him.

Oh, there are so many more sayings that are escaping me right now. Maybe I'll add more later. And I'm sure by tomorrow, he will have added even more to his vocab.

Gavin now can tell you what he would like to eat when you ask him, which is a big change from a few months ago when it was just a guessing game...that many times ended in him not finishing a meal. I think he likes to be involved in his food choices. In general, his appetite is just much improved this year vs. last.

Favorite movies include Ratatouille, all of the three Toy Story movies, and Finding Nemo. He's not as into Cars as he once was, but still loves other things Cars themed, like books and toys, just doesn't request the movie any longer. He likes watching Disney in the mornings - Mickey Mouse Club House, Special Agent Oso, Handy Manny, some pirate show (Brad would know the name, but it escapes me). Prior to me being in the hospital, we would limit his cartoon/movie time to just 30-45ish minutes per day. We're breaking the rules a bit now, given it is a quiet evening activity for all of us. We're breaking other rules as well, but I suppose it's not the end of the world - he gets his pacifier more than we'd like, stays up later than we'd ideal have him up. I suppose it is just a limited thing for now. Though I do dread the day that we "retire" the paci. Wish we would have done it a year ago. Live and learn I suppose.

So, I'll leave you with this silly photo. It's Gavin washing his feet in his new kitchen set. Why, you ask, is he washing his feet in the sink? Last night, after taking a wheelchair ride over to visit BaPa at Lacks, we came back to my room and changed Gavin into his PJs. His feet were stinky from sandals and sweaty feet. So, Brad gave them a quick wash in the sink. All day today when it was time to wash his hands, he also wanted to wash his feet. Boy, you do something one time an it just sticks. So, this picture makes me laugh. This kid makes me laugh! I pray that one day, his sister will make me laugh just as hard. God, please let his sister make me laugh...