McNuggets

Written by Aunt Tonya...

Got Matt in the morning from Glendora. Shannon and Zach met us at the apartment. This was the real first test with Matt on how he was going to handle outings with us. An uneventful departure from the apartment. Expected some resistance from when we left but Matt only turned back once when he realized that Loretta was not coming. Expected the possibility of tears but there were none...sighed with relief. Again, car ride and arrival uneventful. Shannon was telling the story of the boys babbling to one another in the backseat and trying to hold hands. Wish that I had been there to see it.

Ordered standard lunches for play dates - Junk food: hamburgers, nuggets, fries. Did attempt to add something healthy but the apples and milk did not really go over too well. Girls quickly ate their lunches and were off to play together and with the other kids. Should have been offended by the girls inattention but I actually got to eat my meal hot and offer a free hand to help with the boys.

The boys sat side by side in their highchairs happily eating their lunches. The casual onlooker would have smiled with amusement. Matt takes from Zach's hamburger. Zach takes Matt's nuggets. Zach tries to feed himself and then Matt. Matt eats half the fry and Zach finishes it. The boys continue with this sharing, taking and feeding behavior throughout the meal. We end the meal with Matt's face covered with food and Zach's clothes covered with food. Matt is still at the stage of testing gravity by throwing food on the floor. I had a get a broom and sweep the mess. As complicated as this sounds, it was actually very easy. Set the food down and let the boys pick and share as they went.

We had about an hour to play after finishing lunch. Zach and Matt played on the simple climbing step. Actually, a very good activity for Matt. Required using the spider-climb technique that we already were practicing. He showed improved skill at staying with the group and following one-step verbal commands. He could follow two-step commands with verbal and physical cues - this was the first time that I have seen him accomplish this. Parallel play is being extinguished and replaced by more unilateral, cooperative play. As you probably guessed, his favorite activity with me is tag. The play place is idea for such games. Babbling is being replaced with functional sign/gesturing and attempts at word formation. This week I clearly heard "this" when making a request. We had to reinforce the use of a straw using Ashley's soda as a reward.

Zach has grown by leaps and bounds. Just love this developmental stage. He was able to stand with stability but does not have the courage to take that first step. Walks requiring only one hand - used mostly for security, not support. In less than a month, he will be fully mobile. God help us all with four kids all on the move. Feeds self well and eats almost anything. Just starting to see emerging functional gesturing. Interesting to watch from afar his frustration at not being able to make his needs known. This is the precursor to first words. They will be arriving soon. He is the easiest kid to carry - light and clinging. Never had that kind of luck with my own kids. Kate was light and Ashley was clingy.

There were only three little bumps in the road. 1. Zach was beyond tired with the late hour and a tummy full of food. It is so true that kids get accident prone when sleepy. Zach took a good tumble and split his lip. The oozing blood took more than than a minute or two to stop and will certainly leave a good size fat lip. 2. Took Matt to the bathroom for a diaper change and general cleanup before returning him to Loretta. We were washing his face and hands when I made the mistake of saying something like "Wash them well. We need to go back and see Tita." Tears started to form and he said "Teet". Resolved the issue with round of "The Wheels on the Bus" and no any real crying. 3. My girlish figure just can't take much more of these junk food days. My budget can't tolerate a whole new wardrobe. What is a girl to do?

From Shannon - Sorry, we were so exhausted with the kiddos running around that I didn't have a chance to take many pictures. But I finally popped open the camera on our way home. Here are a few pics of Matt in the carseat with a belly full of nuggets...