A Spoonful

CJ is very excited to have fully transitioned to full sized spoons and forks. He has been able to accommodate adult sized spoonfuls for several months, and even able to use light weight restaurant utensils with easy, but our heavier-weight home cutlery had been an real obstacle. He has finally built up enough strength to be able to lift even a large spoon to his mouth and easy empty the entire contents in one bite full. Yesterday evening his father forgot about the transition and gave him a toddler fork. CJ was quick to correct him!

Recently he has been imulating both of us in another manner when eating. Appa and I frequently ask him if he is finished eating so now he is doing the same of us. Asking "Our you done?" several times during the course of a meal. Also, Appa is apt to prod Christian to eat the less desirable vegetables before he is ready. CJ likes to leave the worst for last where Appa and I do just the opposite. CJ's has now started to tell his father "You eat!" when he does this. As in "leave me alone and focus on your own plate". I appreciate the help as I never feel like his Appa is getting enough nutrition.

We are still slow and go with the potty training. I am trying to be patient and not push it as he doesn't yet have all those intergral signs of being ready that all the books seem to talk about. Oh well, at least he is polite and says "Thank You!" after I change his poopy diaper.

We recently purchased a new car and this is only adding to CJ's car obsession. The first day to school in the new car he said "Bye-bye" to the old car as we pulled out of the drive way and then accurately pointed out two  cars of the same make and model as it while we were driving. He loves the new car because it is smaller and he can now reach the door (I finally found out why child locks were invented) and he gets a better view out the window as well.

We are looking forward to the end of the month. CJ and I put up a few decorations for Easter this past weekend and he is now very much enjoying playing with the few small items. Thankfully his Montessori training is paying off and he returns them to their place after each time. CJ will have a four day weekend, but Appa and I will not. We are all super lucky that Christian's Mamaw and Pawpa will be able to spend the day with him the Monday after Easter!

Little Parrot

I am happy to announce that Christian is really begining to repeat after me when I read to him. He had been doing this for awhile with books that had a common theme of words, such as body parts or colors, but not with other books. This weekend he started to parrot when I was reading one of his longer nursery rhyme collections. He would be very quiet at the start of the rhyme, but would then catch-up to me at the end. Lats night, we were reading the Hungry Caterpillar and for the first time he wanted to show off his skills. CJ and Omma were both very proud when he repeated "cocoon"  and "butterfly". It seems we both considered these to be rather elevated in difficulty.

His vocabulary is increasing dramatically outside of reading as well. While it was nice to  have such a quite angel when out in public it is equally nice to know that he does not have any problems with his hearing (as one horrible International Adoption Pediatrician alluded a few months back). His words are coming so quickly it is hard to keep track of all that he can say. For instance, yesterday he specified that he would prefer "pancakes" for breakfast when given two choices. I also heard "train" for the first time later in the day.

Doctor Doctor Give Me the News

Christian was once again put to the test with multiple doctor visits in a row. He was a bit rowdier than before, but still well behaved and cooperative. His Omma was happy to have the complements of more than one doctors' office employee over the past two days.

On yesterday he went to his 6 month cardio check-up. We had to meet with a different doctor as the one from October took Sprig Break to be with his kids. She was very nice and impressed with how well he has "thrived" over the past months. His weight gain of 5 pounds and other signs of health made her decide that the Echo wasn't needed after all. This made for one happy mama. I had talked to CJ about how pictures would be taken again, but was glad when my preparations were not needed. The doctor did want to make sure I knew that his current excellent status did not mean surgery was never going to be needed. I did appreciate her keeping me grounded.

CJ and I were so lucky that Appa was able to join us yesterday. We had to navigate a large building with lots of supplies and his help was very much appreciated. It was so much easier than before when we had to go alone because Appa was working.

Today CJ and I went for his pediatrician well check-up. This was the first time for us to meet his non-adoption pediatrician (who happens to be located in the same office as mine was when I was a child).  CJ is 50% for weight (30.5 lbs) and height. (2 ft 11.75 in) and everything looked healthy. We were very impressed with the efficiency and professionalism of the staff. I was glad we arrived early because they called us back right on time. I had yet to finish the paperwork that was requested. All of the people that helped us were  very child centered and CJ felt very comfortable. He did need to get one shot, but other than that the visit was easy. We go back in July for his 3 year visit.

Water Water Every Where

Pondering the Pond

Christian seems to have a bit of an obsession with water. Which is why my school field trip this past week to the cities Japanese Garden made me decide that we needed to take our own family field trip.It was while I was pulling weeds with my students along the banks of the pond and watching the koi swim by that I realized my son would have loved to be with us.

Fascinated by the GIANT Duck

Men with Duck

It was decided that today would be the day for our adventure; so this morning before mass Appa packed a snack bag while I fed CJ a light breakfast. After mass we all went out to eat for real and then headed to the park. From the first sighting of water Christian out of my arms and in heaven. He was fascinated by the ducks, koi and turtles. He enjoyed walking on the stone pathways, and climbing up and down the bridge railings.

Water Lover

Nestled with Omma

Come to Mama

Here Fishy, Fishy

Giant Koi

"What's that?"

After an hour in the Japanese garden it was time for a snack.We started on a seat across from an even larger pond than is inside the Japanese garden.

Feed ME!

Then we walked a bit and climbed atop a large hill. CJ climbed up and down. Getting bites of seaweed from me while at the top. Appa and I lost a few months off our lives watching his uneven balance each time he made his way down again.

"Kiss Me" My Mom's Part Irish

Yesterday Christian and I went to our cities St. Patrick's festival. CJ's godfather Tommy was participating in the parade and his godmom Jen-Jen was there with her sister's family. We had a lot of fun getting to see the huge Budweiser horses, motorcycles, unique cars, and music. In fact when we were walking up, before the parade had started, Christian actually said "a horse"  a few times and pointed at them. It took a second for me to register what he was saying, but as soon as it did I turned back so he could get a closer look.

CJ was fascinated by all of the green and seemed to really enjoy the entertainment while he had lunch - the parade started at noon so I brought food for the sidelines. We both got a lot of exercise. Due to where I parked we ended up walking around the entire outside of the baseball stadium. By the time we got on the freeway afterwords CJ was out like a light. I was glad I had turned down the offer for a late lunch with the rest of the adults.

I wish I had though to take my camera, but it hadn't even crossed my mind. I'm hoping that I will be able to get a few from Jen-Jen's sister - they were better planners than I.