Important Updates

Leify...

...is walking! Er -- was walking.  Leif Holtan Brown took his first two unassisted steps at gymnastics class on Tuesday, June 22nd.  That evening, he took three steps, twice, in the back alley while watching the big kids play basketball.  He also demanded to dunk, and had daddy hold him up to do so.  I wasn't tall enough to help him reach the hoop.

The following evening, zombie Leify pulled himself to standing on the radiator in the dining room and lurched Night-of-the-Living-Dead-Style to Noah and I who were seated at least 10 Leify steps away.  And then he crawled back and did it again.  And again.  And again. Joyfully.  Until big brother Ben clothes-lined him, and Leify ended up on the floor in tears.  I think he returned to zombie-walking a few more times after that.

Now he cannot wait to hold our fingers (often just w/ one hand) and walk everywhere.  And he loves his little weighted push-wagon that easily rolls across the lawn (the plastic push-thing doesn't).  But, more independent walking?  Fat chance.

...clearly understands lots of language. And nods enthusiastically when his answer is yes!  (For example, if you offer meat or I offer to nurse.)  He totally knows that he's not supposed to do naughty things and looks at me expectantly when he's about to do them.  And, he has discovered the wonders of pantomime.  If Leif wants to nurse, he says, "Nuh" first.  Then he leans far to the side (toward nursing position) and says "nuh." If I say, "Leify, do you want to nurse," he smiles big, opens and closes his mouth (often making a popping noise) and nods vigorously, front and back.  This is great fun, Leify thinks.

He also loves to sing, and begins to sway and make hand motions for Twinkle Twinkle just about whenever he hears music. OMG, Leify, we JUST WANT TO EAT YOU UP.

Your ever-in-character big brother is pretty cute and amazing too:

Ben as Glop

Dad: How are you doing Ben?

Ben: I'm Glop (a character from Busy World, as in "Glip and Glop the Greek Painters")

Dad: G-L-O-P spells Glop

Ben: Why?

Dad: G says "guh".  Can you say Guh?

Ben: Guh

Dad: L says La.  Can you say La?

Ben: Ya.

Dad: O-P says "op"

Ben: You mean like "Op-thomas Prime?" (from "Trains-formers")

Dad: Yes.  (When did you learn to spell?  Or read??)

(This exchange contributed by Noah.)