Joshua Today

I am not as quick to post on the blog when I don't have accompanying pictures. And, since the camera is on the fritz, I have no new pics. But, Joshua is doing so many cool new things, it is time I blogged about the little man, with or without pictures!

He has really been trying to talk lately, and as of last count has a working vocabulary of over 25 words. He understands many more than that, of course, but those are the words he can clearly say and use appropriately. He is still really enjoying playing with balls - he can dribble the soccer ball across the room with no problem, and can throw a ball exactly where he wants, and quite a distance. He responds well to the word no, and is really good about doing what I ask - as in, "Lay down so I can change your diaper," or "Put up your pacy and turn off your sound machine," or "Close the door," or "Take off your shoes and put them in the closet." He delights in putting his puzzles together and can consistently do a shape puzzle - each time he gets a piece in correctly he claps for himself! He also LOVES babies. Amy's baby girl Allison - 6 mths old - was here the week before last and he wanted to so much to play with her. He would give her a pacy, or a toy, or anything he could find to put in her mouth. He would clap his hands and hold them out to her as if to say, "Come here baby, I will hold you!" And if she was on the floor on her blanket, he would lay beside her and inevitably would roll on her. He also loves the babies at the Make and Take play group we are in on Fridays. One particular baby, Karissa's little girl Keira, (I don't think she is 3 mths yet) he particularly loves. Yesterday Karissa let him "hold" Keira, and he loved it. He tickled her, played with her feet and hands, and laid his head on her chest. He doesn't have the best control, but he is so sweet and tries to be gentle. He is going to be such a great big brother!

Joshua also loves his bath, and will get into the bathtub fully clothed if I don't get to him fast enough. He doesn't like to leave the bath, however, and can only be consoled by looking at the crying baby in the mirror - then he laughs at himself and stops crying. He really enjoys toilets, particularly flushing them and flushing things down them. Luckily, so far he has only flushed toilet paper (lots and lots of toilet paper). We have begun locking all the bathroom doors, though. This does not make him happy. He is also a big fan of throwing his toys off the balcony. The balcony is just off the ground, and there is nobody under us, so other than the hassle of retrieving the toys it really isn't a problem.

While there are many, many other things our little guys is doing, that is a brief overview. He is such a sweet little man, and a ton of fun. Each day just gets better and better!