Indio . 2 years

Whoa. We've officially got a 2 year old.

A cute little guy that responds immediately to 'ready, set, go' with a lunge position for his impromptu race; readily wears hats (or buckets) on his head; loves all things trains, trucks, animals or firemen (especially Fireman Sam); likes showing off by flopping down on his butt; takes his time to settle into crowds; hates when his train pieces don't join up as his vision dictates; makes gagging faces when you offer him most whole fruit (but loves smoothies.)

Conversations around here are still a struggle. Although Indio is doing a great job of trying to communicate, his pronunciation sometimes leaves us guessing. A typical conversation is him saying a word repeatedly, us throwing out words we think are in context or looking at each other with looks of anticipation. A single word-guessing experience can have more furrowed brows and raised eyebrows than an entire episode of a Mexican soap opera. Once we guess correctly, Indio will sometimes clap for us, which makes the whole thing one big game.

Getting around is no problem. He runs around the house to put out pretend fires as a fireman or run the imaginary bases as a baseball player. And then he has a shuffle. The shuffle is employed to trick parents, for example: he isn't supposed to go towards the street because we just told him to stop, but if he shuffles he can eventually get to the street without us even knowing he is moving. And he will look at you the whole time he shuffles.

[august . 12 months] going through items in the office [september . 13 months] exploring boxes [october . 14 months] running around with a bucket on his head [november . 15 months] taking the metrolink home from a holiday event
[december . 16 months] showing off his stink face [january . 17 months] helping in the yard [february . 18 months] checking out the hippos at the zoo [march . 19 months] sitting on the tractor at the ranch [april . 20 months] transplanting plants [may . 21 months] making quiche
[june . 22 months] checking out the alpacas [july . 23 months] running around in a fireman getup