Listening is Fundamental

The Husband is taking classes toward a degree. He has class every other Thursday. The Husband headed off to class the other night and while hugging each other goodbye Liam asked, "You going to class, Daddy?" "You going to listen?" Hmmm...do you think we talk A LOT about listening in our house??

When The Husband returned from class Liam had two questions for him. "You have fun?" "You listen, Daddy?"

"Why is he sad?"

If you are forced to listen to top 40 radio then you've probably heard The Plain White Tee's song "Hey there, Delilah". Liam and I were in the car and this song was playing when he asked, "Why is he so sad?" After listening to the song a few seconds so I could remember what it was about, I said, "He misses his girlfriend." "Girlfriend? What's a girlfriend?" Oh crap! I'm sure I came up with a brilliant answer...or more likely I said, "Look, there's a digger!" or something like that in order the change the topic. This morning Liam was playing his guitar (he got a real one...with strings... for his birthday) when he said, "Watch mom, I'm playing a sad song." I'm not sure what made it sad compared to his other songs but I enjoy that he is feeling out the difference between a sad song and a happy song.

The Wiggles - Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car

I thought I'd share one of Liam's favorite songs. He will strum along on his guitar to this song. He's even told the Wiggles to stop so he can get his guitar (they are on broadcast TV while he is watching so we can't pause or stop them). I wish the songs weren't so catchy...I find myself singing this song in the shower.

Baby Liam

Baby Liam
Originally uploaded by Liams Mom 2004

Liam's foster mother sent us a bunch of pictures from when he was in her care. Here's the cutie as a little baby.

How's your sense of 'mell?

We are teaching Liam to pray before supper. Yesterday he said, "no 'melling, no eating, and no drinking, right dad?" You see, Dad has often had to remind him that we don't eat or drink during the prayer. The other day Dad reminded Liam that we aren't supposed to eat during the prayer and Liam replied, "I'm not eating, I (s)melling." Thus, the addition of no smelling to the list of things not to do during the prayer. I can just see what other no-noes will be added to the list in the future. "No 'melling, no eating, no drinking, no putting the fork up my nose, no throwing food, no hanging off the back of mom's chair, right dad?!"

Good thing we have neighbors!

Liam was telling one of his teachers that he wished she could come to his house. She said, "I don't know where you live." He replied, "I live next to my neighbors."

Just be careful!

It's funny how much a young person has to learn in order to stay alive in the world. Most 2-3 year olds don't realize they shouldn't jump from the top of the climber, or that they shouldn't run out into the street, or that they shouldn't put a cordless screwdriver up their nose. Parents(and other caregivers) have to constantly remind the little tykes to "be careful". Apparently, we and the good ladies at day care are drilling it into Liam's head because he often comments on how he is "becarefuling" when crossing a parking lot, or climbing a climber, or tearing toilet paper off the roll.

How Alarming!

Boofs, farts, toots, breaking wind, passing gas, cutting the cheese, flatulence. Call them what you will but Liam now calls them "my alarm".

I want fries with that

Liam has an interesting appetite sometimes. Back in June we went to the EARLY morning balloon launch taking place during Rochesterfest. This is the second year we've attended and we've enjoyed it very much...that's probably because we aren't awake enough to realize what we are doing. Did I mention it was EARLY?!?
After the balloons take off we like to go to a restaurant for breakfast before we head home to go back to bed. We talked to Liam about what we might have...he mentioned pancakes and applesauce (something he has often at day care) and I'm thinking that sounds pretty good. But then he mentions that he wants macaroni and fries and ketchup. We stall the way parents do and mention that we aren't sure this restaurant has that. Walking to the restaurant we are trying to distract him from the whole macaroni and fries and ketchup idea by talking up pancakes or french toast. The minute he sees the hostess who is going to seat us he says (in the breathless way little kids talk sometimes), "I want macaroni and fries and ketchup". Luckily, he is so cute that they readily agreed to make him what he wanted to eat at 7:30 a.m. After breakfast is over and we are driving home all of a sudden we hear from the back seat, "I want pancakes and applesauce!"

How old is he?

Is he 2.75 years old or 12.75 years old?

Here are a couple of recent conversations that seem to prove that my little boy is 2 going on 12.

Me:*singing* "Fruit salad, yummy yummy" (Hey, your music selection changes when you become a parent. I blame the Wiggles.)

Liam: Mommy, you like the Wiggles?

Me: I guess I do.

Liam: *whispers* Oh. (Why does he have to sound like hat he has to find another group to like because the Wiggle CAN'T be cool if mom likes them!)

A different conversation.

Me: What did you do at school today?

Liam: Nuffin.

Yep, I can only imagine the responses I'll get when he is actually 12! Oh, and he's already working on the eye rolling! Lord help me.

Wondering about boogers

Liam and I were reading stories the other day and he pointed out something very interesting about Tigger, Pooh, and Roo. Liam asked, "Why don't they have these?" and pointed to his nostrils. Then he asked, "How do they get their boogers out?" Liam, on the other hand, doesn't have trouble getting his boogers out!