Monday, February 16

and yet, the child won't say a single word...


My baby brother is 17 months old. According to developmental language norms, he should be nearing the fifty-word vocabulary typical of an 18-month-old. He walks, has "conversations" with Elmo, is interested in books, initiates nonverbal social interactions, feeds himself, and has met all major non-verbal developmental milestones.

Just the other day, I received the following email from my stepmom:
Hi there!
Yesterday, Robby, on his own, decided that he wanted to set up his own office.
He took his drum, and put his “My First Laptop” on top of the drum. Then he found a block and brought it over to use as a stool. Then he sat on his block and played with his laptop. He did this all on his own!
I did then hand him the phone to just complete his little office, and of course he knows what to do with that!
Then, he came out the next morning and did the same thing in his pajamas with Mr. Bear.
He is now sitting and playing at his “desk” with his laptop.
I thought you might get a kick out of these pictures.
I guess Jim and I spend a little too much time on our laptops and someone picked up on this!
Love you!
Patti



And yet still, not a single word. I think he's teasing me.

Wednesday, February 11

the chacos

The sun shone yellow on its grey head, reminding me of summer; and I cannot say why, but all at once, a gush of child's sensations flowed into my heart. -from Wuthering Heights

I love winter. I love the necessity of bundling up in layers of sweaters and scarves. I love the warmth of a cup of tea in my cold fingers. I love the prospect of snow and the season of epiphany (thanks to the Mars Hill Bible Church Podcast). We've experienced a preview of spring over the last few weeks, though. Seriously, I've pulled the chacos out, and unless the temperatures dip below freezing for an extended period of time again, I will not be persuaded to put them back in my closet.

I'm looking forward to spring.