September update

Ryan started daycare. He was supposed to have a trial run before classes started, but then we both got sick, so the first day I was back to work was his first day going solo (we did have a few days where we went and stayed at the center together, so he wasn't totally unfamiliar with what was going on). If you saw Steve's facebook status, you know how some of it went:
me: so, Ryan, what did you do at school today?
Ryan: (matter of factly and in a happy chirpy voice): I cry.
me: and what else did you do?
Ryan: Played cars. Ate apples and fish (goldfish crackers).

Day two involved more crying. Day three involved crying but by the time I left the building, he wasn't screaming his head off, so all was well. I'm used to dealing with his crying (see previous post) so it's not really a big deal to me. One of the student teachers said that she's noticed some progress as each time he gets and stays less upset, so that's good. The staff is really great about caring for the kids who are having a hard time seeing their parents go, so I know he's in good hands.

His vocabulary and pretend-play are really fun to see in action; he'll do things like pretend to make food for us and then give it to us. When we ask, "what is this?" he'll tell you a different food item each time (asparagus, pizza, cookie, mushrooms, jelly sandwich, nectarine, cake etc.) and wait until you pretend to eat what he's given. Then, he'll run back to his "refrigerator" (it's an empty wine refrigerator) and get more things for you. Cars is still his favorite movie; now he'll chime in with "OHHH YEAHHHHH" at the start of the movie (just when Lightning McQueen says it) and can be frequently heard saying KACHOW! (another McQueen saying). Yes, he's watched it a bit too much, especially when he was sick. Another favorite thing to do is to go "too fast" (he really means "fast") and run around the house, often while pushing his pretend lawn mower or his "vacuum" (it's that toy that you push and it makes a popping sound -- I know many of you had this when you were a kid). Sometimes it's while he chases Montie. ah, there's no peace and quiet in my house unless people are sleeping!