What a WEEK!!!

This week Ulysses life is about to change, or has already changed, in a very big way. On Monday, Mommy's parents arrived here in Tennessee after an 8-day journey across the country in a 17' U-haul truck and are, at this very moment, snuggling themselves into their new home for what we hope will be a long and happy retirement here in the beautiful South.

Gavin made their travel arrangements, I found the house, and Judie stocked it full of delicious soup. Uly has done his part by renaming the dog "doh-doh" and by claiming my fathers lap and glass of milk for himself 20 minutes after having met him. Mom and Dad are resting up from such a long trip but are doing very well.

Pictures to soon follow!

I just put a sleeping Uly in.... A CRIB! It's his first time--I hope he wakes up happy--he should, he's been enjoying playing in it the past few days...

Attachment

This afternoon Uly discovered Love, I think. He's been very huggy with me lately and I'm just eating it up with a spoon. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I've been hugging his stuffed animals a lot and giving them kisses with the intention of teaching him a good way to treat animals. He's been hugging them a lot, too, and asking anyone else in the room to share in the love.

But this afternoon was different. We sat trading off and hugging his lamb and rabbit--for about an hour--and during that time he had a few very emotional moments with them. He became so overwhelmed with the hugs and kisses that he literally wept, no fewer than 4 times, and twice he just laid on them both and sobbed into their fur. After a moment or so the emotion passed and we returned to our gentle hugs and kisses. It was weird and wonderful, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of that with him.

NOW we're talkin'!

This past week has been much, much better for us. Uly has been eating a lot more solid food, nursing a lot less, and sleeping for longer segments through the night. He also is finally starting to respect the idea that my armpits belong to me and he does not have permission to go there... We've been seeing a few more tantrums and attempts to hit mommy and daddy, but the new "hitting gets you nothing" policy is turning out to be very effective. Tantrums are nearly always less than 20 seconds and are communication frustrations about 1/2 the time. These are mommy's experiences, anyway.

So the kid is finally, really starting to talk. Finally! Whoo-hoo! This weeks he's said "more nana", "off", "on", "kitty", and various other thigs. What's great is that he's trying very hard to say these words. It's probably no coincidence that his interest in talking has come at the same time he's developed an interest in sign language. I've seen him copy (from a signing tv show) correctly the words car, ball, on, off, go, and book. In fact, the first word he signed to me was "book". I had no idea that he knew any signs so I was utterly shocked and totally delighted when he walked over to me a few days ago and signed it.

Anyhow, good days ahead. We just need to work on some manners now.

More pictures soon.