Just this past week, Lucas has begun speaking more clearly, like saying "sour" instead of "sow-sow" and "noodles" instead of "noo-noo." He still has quite a way to go with his speech, but it surprised me one day when I asked him if he liked the chips he was eating. He just nodded his head and walked off, but then returned and asked, "What kind do you like, Mommy?" That surprised me, and he's been dialoguing more since. He still doesn't ask "why" or "when" yet, but he has "who," "what," and "where" down. He'll have his check-up soon, and the doctor will re-evaluate his speech delays. He still has a hard time pronouncing several consonants. But in general, if I can figure it out, he says some pretty adorable things.
He is pretty compassionate like his father, always asking, "Are you okay?" and rubbing or petting someone who's been hurt (sometimes by him). Lucas is less of a bully now and warming up to people. He is doing better and better in Sunday school and in our life group, when he has to be with other children. Right now, he is very helpful with certain chores, like gathering the laundry and picking up. He cautions and commands a lot, probably just used to hearing it from me.
He's still small for his age, but also growing. He's still noise-sensitive and likes it quiet, except at times when he's the one making the noise. He's been unpredictable with his nap, probably wanting to drop it. Potty training is still the same--he'll do one thing but not the other.
Lucas likes cars and trains just as much as ever. He likes music, seemingly more so than Naomi. She likes to perform, but he seems to enjoy the music for what it is. He likes basketball, both watching and playing, although we don't have a hoop or anything at home. He's pretty good with colors and knowing the details of all his little cars, but when I try to teach him something, he tends to lump similar things together. He loves the sand and water, like many kids. He really likes animals, but doesn't want to get too close. I think he's that way with people, too. I feel like I've raised the kids very similarly, but they are turning out very different in many respects. Lucas just has some innate insecurities but some wonderful traits as well.
He doesn't watch much TV, but he likes to watch clips of vehicles on Y.ouTube. A LOT of clips. The kids both like the Charlie Chaplin clips I show them (I'm a big fan--
Modern Times and
City Lights are two of my favorites of all time), but I hope he understands when I tell him not to copy the stunts. So no Buster Keaton...
He likes many fruits and vegetables, especially blueberries, strawberries, carrots, olives, small Brussel sprouts, asparagus, and certain tomatoes. He likes pasta and rice, but not so much bread (unless you count pizza crust). Still not much desire for dairy products, although one day he asked me for a cheese sandwich and actually ate it--bread and cheese are two of his least favorite foods, so I was pretty happy about that. Once in a while he'll also drink chocolate milk or eat ice cream or frozen yogurt, but that's mostly it. The only melted cheese he'll eat is on pizza, not even in grilled cheese or on pasta. He used to love fish, but is getting more picky about that as well. Oh, yeah, and he unfortunately has an ever-growing sweet tooth. Naomi didn't have gum or soda till she was five, but now if she has it, usually he'll have some, too.
Not into pictures at the moment.
Playing basketball at church.
Likes to help me get the laundry.
