Helm(et)

Liam discovered my cycling helmet last week. Tobias got same great pictures of him playing with it the last couple of days. It's humorous to me that he won't wear hats but he will wear the helmet!

18 months old

18 months old today!

Stats for 18 months are:
Length = 34 inches (86.36 cm), which is between the 50th and 75th percentile
Weight = 24.25 lbs (11 kg), which is in the 25th percentile
Head Circumference = 19 inches, which is between the 50th and 75th percentile.

Liam now says, 'nein, nein', 'pop', 'mehr/more', and imitates nearly every sounds he hears. He is also starting to imitate things he sees. Today be picked up his remote control and pointed it at the TV for the first time. He will touch his stomach when we say 'Bauch' and he touches his head when we say 'Kopf'. Walking is now his preferred mode of getting around. He walks fine in shoes, but his ankles roll a bit when he is barefoot. The doctor said his ankles are a little loose and he is pretty flat footed right now. Both are things the doctor thinks he will grow out of but we are going to watch things to make sure they develop they way they are supposed to. He loves watching 'Play With Me Sesame' on Sprout in the mornings. Every time he sees Ernie he imitates his laugh. Finally, it would appear he is on his way to one nap a day. The last week he has been sleeping about 30 minutes longer in the mornings but only napping once. Today he made it until 1215 before his nap. We'll have to see what the new schedule holds!

Because Liam likes it

In the last few weeks Liam has started to watch TV and video clips on the computer. Tobias has been looking for clips on You Tube of Sesam Strasse (the German version of Sesame Street) so that Liam will learn the German characters too. Along the way, he came across this clip of Andrea Bocelli singing Elmo to sleep. Tobias keeps watching it and laughing. He says it's because Liam likes it, but I am not convinced:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BDVvB7Xx1w

Then there was Norah Jones and 'I Don't Know Y'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEzxchU4RUY

Finally, this one actually cracked Liam up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLu_UK_MpfA

Oh, the fun we have with kids.

The face of chicken pox (Windpocken)

The mystery virus from Sunday has now been identified - chicken pox. Here is the (cute) face of chicken pox.

Thankfully, now that the fever is gone Liam does not seem that bothered by the rash. As long as he stays on pain medicine he is fine. Slightly irritable but he isn't scratching or too bothered by things. Poppa bought him some ice cream today to help him feel better. We figure we will treat him at dinner tonight.

The great irony is that he was supposed to get his varicella vaccine this week. Guess he won't need that one now!

In addition to Liam's chicken pox, Tobias seems to becoming down with what might be strep and Nanna may be coming down with the flu!! UGH!

Girl cousins and a cuddle kind of day

Ann and Abby came over to spend the night with Liam on Friday. I love this picture of them because they are trying to smile for the camera but they really don't want to stop watching TV. For the girls' birthday we gave them a slumber party at our house followed by breakfast out and a mani/pedi (which for them means getting their nails painted). Ann got sick Saturday morning so she went home early. Abby hung out with Lala for a girl morning.



On Saturday afternoon Liam went to Ann and Abby's house to play for a little bit. Girl cousins are fun because they always give Liam the things they like. Check out the outfit they thought he would like. I told Traci I can go with this stuff for now, but I draw the line at dresses! No Princess Liam!!

This morning Liam was burning up when he woke up. He has spent the day with a fever between 99 - 102.75 (37.4-39.5 C). He is eating and drinking and he was cheerful most of the day. He just didn't really have energy for a whole lot. We spent the day cuddling him and watching TV. This was VERY strange for us because Liam normally doesn't sit still for more than 2 minutes and he has not really ever watched TV. If he still has a fever in the morning I will take him to the doctor to make sure it's not an ear infection. He is not showing any signs of one, but I just want to be safe. If it's Roseola again then he will have a high fever for 3 days or so and then it will go away when the rash shows up.

A cuddle kind of day

Liam walking and playing

Here is a video of Liam playing before bed time last night. This is pretty typical of the evening routine. I thought Oma, Opa, and Dodi might like to see Liam walking. The video is about 3 minutes and 15 seconds long. I know that is a bit long, but I struggle to edit such a cute boy. ;-) He now notices himself in the display on the camera . . . as you will see toward the end.

For those that watch Sesame Street, Liam has learned to do Ernie's laugh. He now does this when we turn the TV because he thinks he will get to watch Play with Me Sesame. He also does this laugh when he is playing with toys and sees Ernie.

Enjoy!

Another Deutschikaner

Tobias took his oath for naturalization today. He now has dual citizenship. The day was long but very good. His group today consisted of 76 candidates from 43 countries, who, for various reason were seeking US citizenship - - some for political reasons, others for religious reason, and others for personal reasons. It was very moving to see how meaningful the process was for many of them. One, in particular, that we will remember was an elderly man from Albania. He left the courthouse today repeatedly kissing his Certificate of Naturalization. He was smiling and so happy it was hard for him to stand still. I don't know his personal story but it was deeply moving to see his joy and pride. The Powers met us after the ceremony and took us to the No Frill Grill to celebrate. It was a great day!!

Tobias at the Courthouse. It was windy and COLD!

The No Frill Grill w/the Powers afterward