Since this blog has been my primary means of tracking Gabe's life, and I haven't focused on him in a while, I thought I should post. About the last month, he has entered into a much easier phase - meaning his demands for my attention and time has lessened, slightly. He'll play for small moments of time alone, he'll stay with babysitters without crying, and he'll stray from my side in large group/family activities. He even willingly goes to preschool now!
His language skills have just exploded. He repeats everything and he's totally getting the 2 languages. He'll ask me for an apple, and then tell Mario he wants a manzana. Or he'll point out a plane to me, and then show Mario where the "avion" is. It's amazing to me not just that he gets it, but that he differentiates which parent speaks which language, even though we're not super consistent with the mom=english and dad=spanish at home - we just kind of mix it all up.
He loves to draw and play with plah-doh, although I don't love him to play with play-doh because it's SO MESSY. When he draws he still just scribbles, but then tells me what it is, like he's really drawing. He's also started with imaginary play, like he'll pretend that his animals are eating, or pretend he's something else. I love watching his development.
(our stake youth put on a Hi-5 show and Gabe LOVED it.)
This week he has also started counting to 10, in spanish, and always skipping the nubmer 7. Guess he's not into the number 7. But he really counts, and it's adorable. With his colors he's stronger in English, but still mixes them a bit.
He's also gotten much more cuddly, which I love. He lays down on the couch and tells me "mama, hay down aca (here)" and then he likes to give me eskimo and butterfly kisses. I made the mistake of pointing out when we were reading a book that Bambie gives kisses to his mom by licking her so sometimes he likes to do that as well, which isn't my favorite. But I have this fear that when the baby comes I won't have time to cuddle him anymore. I know it's not totally logical, but when you're used to dedicating ALL of your time to one child, it's hard to imagine how you are going to split it. And I have this kind of sadness like I'm going to lose this special time of adoring him and only him, mixed a bit with this recognition that my first baby won't be my baby anymore, and fear that I haven't appreciated it enough. Thus we spend as much time now cuddling and loving as I can, even with this enormous belly in between us.
6 comments:
I've had that fear each time now and it's surprising how big your lap becomes. Mena loves to sit on the opposite knee of the side I'm feeding Ellis. And now that Jacob is six he only cuddles with me at night anyway, when his "cool" factor is less important.
Good luck with the wee one, can't wait to see pics!
I am in love with Gabe! I am impressed with how smart he is and I am glad that you are not dishearten that after all of your time and practice speaking Spanish even a toddler can tell you are not a native Spanish speaker.
Print out a blog book for posterity...www.blurb.com IT allows you to do so many fun things; journaling, or pictures, etc. I am trying to do our wedding info and it is going well...a ton of work too.
Your belly is beautiful! I admire you for trying to reach out to the community...can't be an easy task. bien hecho
A, thank you so much for sending me the enrichment ideas. And I have to tell you that I can so relate to how you are feeling right now with Gabe. I remember the last month or so of my second pregnancy, just wanting to hug and squeeze every moment possible with my oldest. It is an intense time.
If there is any way at all that you can get your hands on it, please read "Waiting for Birdy" by Catherine Newman. It is about exactly what you are going through, anticipating the birth of a second child. It is an amazing book and one of my all-time favorites!
I loved this post. So good to hear Gabe is at a fun stage. I am so impressed and excited about his language skills. Perhaps you should plan a trip to Spain so he can continue his efforts and he can also take in some Spanish culture? :) Miss you!
So I was just checking your baby ticker on the top of your blog and it said "no, mom, that's not another baby up your butt. It's just me moving into position!" Hilarious.
Post a Comment