My favorite thing that he says is “sloppy joe” because it sounds like “soppa doe” and it just cracks me up every time. This morning Jen drove me to the train station and in the car I was trying to get him to say “uh oh, sloppy joe” but he had seen a school bus and all he could say was “big bus” “big bus” and he said it a good dozen or so times. Then, a few minutes later as we were turing into the train station out pops “uh oh soppa doe” for no apparent reason. I thought it was hysterical. I think maybe Jen is tired of hearing “soppa doe.”

He’s at that stage where we won’t think he’s listening and the next thing we hear is him repeating something we just said. It’s so much fun to see him growing and learning and trying new words. I was putting some clothes away the other night and he pointed to a hanger that was lying on the bed and he chattered something, so I said “that’s a hanger.” He tried to say it but it came out “hobber” or “hodder”. I kept saying “hanger” and he would repeat “hodder.” Finally I got down on his level and over enunciated “h a n g e r” stressing the ng and he got it! “Hanger” he said, but with just a little too much stress on the g.

One thing we try to do is, instead of telling him no and correcting him when he mispronounces a word, we just repeat the word with the correct pronunciation. Usually he will keep trying until he gets it right.

Along with kisses, however, naturally comes hugs. So it wasn’t very long before “big hugs” was added to the night time ritual. I say “Can I get big hugs?” and he will lay his head on my shoulder for about two seconds, sometimes three if I’m lucky.

At one time Liam liked to hit us. It wasn’t in anger, it seemed to be more of a way to release built up emotion. Most of the time he was happy when he would let loose with a wild smack. So we taught him “nice touches.” When he would hit, we would take his hand and put it to our face, where the smack had just landed, and we’d tell him “nice touches, buddy.” For awhile he would smack, say “no, no” and then do the gentle touch immediately afterward. Now all we have to do is ask for “nice touches” and he will gently stroke our cheek. I somehow incorporated this into the goodnight/goodbye routine.

The most recent addition to our ritual is the ever popular “head-butt.” He, for some strange reason, has always enjoyed bonking his head into mine when we rough house. So a couple of weeks ago we bonked heads, on purpose, and I said, “that’s a head-butt.” Then I bonked him again and said “head-butt.” Then I just said, “head-butt” without bonking him and he bonked me. A tradition was born.

Liam is not and never has been a very cuddly child; he doesn’t sit still long enough to be cuddly, unless he’s not feeling well. And when he’s hurt, he doesn’t much care for coddling or comfort. When we put him to bed, we don’t get to hold him or rock him or anything. The minute you’re in his bedroom and the light goes off, he’s leaning toward his crib saying, “night night.” The routine came about as a way to get him to stay in my arms long enough for me to vent all my daddy lovey dovey feelings onto him. So each night I go through the whole routine, sometimes twice, sometimes until he’s tired of it. “Give daddy smoochies.” “Big hugs.” “Can I have nice touches?” “Give daddy a head-butt.” And he obediently performs each part of the ritual, leaning toward the crib and saying “night night” between each part.

I wonder what silly act will become part of our routine next.

Liam has started saying “Thank you.” When he says it, it sounds like “too too” or “tee too.” He pretty much only says it when you tell him to. He’ll want something and I will, of course, give it to him, then I’ll say, “say ‘thank you’” and he says his “tee too,” and toddles off to find something to get into.

He’s very curious. I call him Captain Curious, or Mr. Mischievous. If he can see it and it’s within his reach, he’s going to get it: remote controls, books, keys, glasses, cans of soda, anything within any zippered or snapped compartment, his/your/anyone’s shoes/socks, videos, CDs, food, yes… everything. If we tell him no he can’t have a certain thing, he gets mad and either cries or throws the item in question, often times both.

It’s been a struggle trying to get him to stop throwing things when he’s angry. Slapping his hand does absolutely no good, smacking his bottom gets more of a reaction but I’m not convinced he knows why. Someone recently suggested ignoring the unwanted behavior, so I guess we’re going to try that. The thing is, he needs to have some kind of outlet for his anger and I’m not sure how to redirect it or what to redirect it to. Suggestions are welcome.

Sunday morning we took him with us to go cut down a Christmas tree. He was not a happy camper. We have pictures of him being held and just looking miserable. The pictures are very cute but sad at the same time. You can just tell that the poor guy doesn’t feel good at all.

Sunday afternoon, after we returned from tree hunting, Jen took him to Urgent Care and was told he has an infection in both ears. The doctor prescribed a 5 day regimen of Zithromax. We could tell he was feeling better, though still not 100% better, after just two days of the medicine. It’s been a week and he’s back to his normal, mischievous, smiling self.

It’s funny the way he says “no” too. He doesn’t just say “no” the way adults do, it’s more of a drawn out kind of thing, like he’s added a few extra o’s at the end.

He says “no” more or less anytime we ask him a yes or no question. I never realized how entertaining this could be. Here is an example of a conversation I had with him just the other day.

Me: Hi buddy.
Liam: Dada
Me: Can I get a hug?
Liam: Noooo
Me: Don’t you like daddy?
Liam: Noooo
Me: Want a spanking instead?
Liam: Noooo
Me: How about a smoochie?
Liam: Noooo
Me: Is no the only thing you ever say?
Liam: Noooo
Me: Have you said yes lately?
Liam: Noooo
Me: Do you like this game?
Liam: Noooo

Sadly, he tires of the game long before I do.

He somehow recognizes the difference between yes/no questions and other types. When I say, “Liam where’s your sock/cup/toy/thing-just-dropped-in-the-dining-room?” He doesn’t answer, he looks around for the requested item and will usually, if he’s in the mood, retrieve it.

In other news, Jen wrote in “her blog”:http://www.aaronjen.org/blog/mom/ for the first time in a year. Yay Jenna! It’s good to have you back.