"Uugs"

Lucas' receptive language seems to have exploded in the past week or so...he seems to be understanding so much. We'll ask him to close a drawer or put something back or go to another room...and he does it. It is so amazing to watch this progress. By far the best thing is the hugs! I asked him for a hug last week and he goes "Uug" and came on over. And he gives me hugs in the Ergo when we're walking as well which is so darn sweet.

Lucas has also started saying "Mama"...about a week ago it started when we were trying to get him to repeat 'mama' and 'papa' as he has been doing a great job of mimicking words and sounds lately. So he started saying 'mama' and was really getting the meaning. I would point to myself and say 'who am I?" and he would very clearly say 'mama' and smile. He also recently has started to say 'mama' when he wants something and usually says mama when making the sign for more or help. But he's also calling Paul and Alexander 'mama' even though he clearly knows that they are called something else. We gently correct and say their names but this is exactly what Alexander did for a while. He would call us both 'mama' and then after a while called us both 'papa' and then finally after a few weeks differentiated. We'll see how it goes with Lucas :)

A few more words to added to his vocab:

- close (as in close the door or drawer)

- home (especially when we pull up in the driveway or walking back from a walk)

- down

- up

- nose

- boom

Lucas is now also off formula...he still gets a bottle of whole milk twice a day before nap and bedtime (sorry any dentists out there...) but he's now just about 23 lbs and his thighs are getting quite chunky :) ! I'm off the 'fatten up Lucas' plan and now he's pretty much eating what the rest of us eat...especially as he's now getting the last of 8 teeth that have come in since the beginning of June! Oy... He's having a fun time crunching different foods...though any type of fruit remains his favorite.

I am also happy to report that Alexander seems to be settling in now and is a much happier kid. No doubt he still has his moments - he is 5 after all - but since his birthday we've seen a marked difference in his mood. He's generally happier, more agreeable AND seems to enjoy getting Lucas involved in a silly game or to show him how to do something (though a common term heard now around the house is "No Lucas!"). I spent a lot of time with the boys this past weekend as Paul is finishing up a class and there were some really sweet moments. Hopefully we'll stay on this path...

The pics above are from the past few days and our trips to several parks...luckily tuckered them out enough that they both took naps (Alexander rarely does anymore).

Laura