Total Serious Happy Thread - Page 211

Ghoulish Delight · 04-21-2011, 04:54 PM

Mazel Tov K&S!

We spent the past 4+ days in one of the* smallest cities I've ever spent time in, Alamogordo, NM. Population 35,000 (about 60% of the capacity of Dodger Stadium, to give some perspective), 20 sq. miles. 80 miles from the closest anything.

Fortunately we were there for the sole purpose of spending time with family, CP's brother who is stationed there with the Airforce. And it was a really wonderful few days. Particularly for Theo, who got his first opportunity to spend time playing with older kids that 1) know how to play and 2) were interested in playing with him. We've got a niece, 9, and a newphew, 5. We weren't at their house for more than 30 minutes before Theo had already picked up from them how to play with cars, graduating from picking them up and tossing them to rolling them around on surfaces, crashing them together, rolling them off edges of tables.

The few days of interaction were either incredibly powerful, incredibly well timed, or both, but we've come back from NM with a whole new baby. A short list of Theo upgrades since this time last week:

* touches his head when asked
* can point at exactly what he wants instead of just whining
* a growing set of consistent "words" (not necessarily recognizable to the uninitiated, but consistent repeated sounds for a set of objects like cat, bird, car, head)
* imitation of playing behavior (e.g. cousins stands on bed, then jumps landing on his knees, Theo stands on bed then falls to his knees)
* spontaneously plays hide-and-go-seek (effing ADORABLE!)
* dances to music

Some of these things he was starting to show signs of just before we left, so maybe he would have gotten there without the child interaction. But being there, seeing how rapidly the light turned on for him when he would watch those kids, in a way that he's never done when we've tried playing with him - it was enthralling and exhilarating. This has been a really special week that I won't soon forget.

* I think Big Bear is the only smaller city I've spent time in, which means I can't technically say that Alamogordo is the smallest. But I believe if I expand the concept to county population/density instead of city, Alamogordo's Otero County takes the cake at 64K population, 10 people/sq. mile

innerSpaceman · 04-21-2011, 05:16 PM

Oh my, love hearing about the Theo upgrades. Um, can't you expose him to more kids? Then, a bit later, to speakers of foreign languages and players of musical instruments? The kid's a sponge, after all. Fill him with love and play and talents!

alphabassettgrrl · 04-21-2011, 05:52 PM

Glad you had a good weekend, GD!

Little Theo is growing up.

Not Afraid · 04-21-2011, 06:54 PM

I LOVE hearing about his giant learning steps! I think you just let him hang out with Chris for a day (alone) and he'll come home talking about the categorical imperative and asking "How do you know you're really Dad?".

Cadaverous Pallor · 04-21-2011, 07:42 PM

When we hang out with other kids, most of the older kids aren't interested in playing with him. Kids his age don't really play together, they play side by side. These cousins were really excited to see him and made a huge effort to include him in their games.

What a lovely few days. If you know anything about my family, it's that we have plenty of rough patches. This vacation was nothing but enjoyment, which I think my family really needed. Harmony is so much more pleasant!

alphabassettgrrl · 04-21-2011, 10:31 PM

Harmony- I agree!

Morrigoon · 04-22-2011, 12:59 AM

Lovely Theo update

Ghoulish Delight · 04-24-2011, 07:53 PM

Ignoring the little girl who tried to kick a barely-flying baby bird and the Toy Story Lot bus driver who somehow thought Mike Tyson and Charlie Sheen "impersonations" were an appropriate way to "entertain" us on the way to the lot, we had a simply perfect day at Disneyland today, my 3 year old niece's first visit. She had a ton of fun, and she and Theo got along so well. Plus, Theo for the first time actively enjoyed an attraction, the Tiki Room (no surprise considering his love of music and fascination with birds). Today was a special day.

And this happened.

Buzz.jpg

BarTopDancer · 04-25-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Attachment 1616

Grr. I couldn't see the pictures on my old computer, I could see them on my new computer and now I can't anymore. I can see them at work if they're attached and not hosted. WTF.

Kevy Baby · 04-24-2011, 08:30 PM

Holy carp!!! Congratulations on the rediculously high score!

04-21-2011, 04:54 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Mazel Tov K&S! We spent the past 4+ days in one of the* smallest cities I've ever spent time in, Alamogordo, NM. Population 35,000 (about 60% of the capacity of Dodger Stadium, to give some perspective), 20 sq. miles. 80 miles from the closest anything. Fortunately we were there for the sole purpose of spending time with family, CP's brother who is stationed there with the Airforce. And it was a really wonderful few days. Particularly for Theo, who got his first opportunity to spend time playing with older kids that 1) know how to play and 2) were interested in playing with him. We've got a niece, 9, and a newphew, 5. We weren't at their house for more than 30 minutes before Theo had already picked up from them how to play with cars, graduating from picking them up and tossing them to rolling them around on surfaces, crashing them together, rolling them off edges of tables. The few days of interaction were either incredibly powerful, incredibly well timed, or both, but we've come back from NM with a whole new baby. A short list of Theo upgrades since this time last week: * touches his head when asked * can point at exactly what he wants instead of just whining * a growing set of consistent "words" (not necessarily recognizable to the uninitiated, but consistent repeated sounds for a set of objects like cat, bird, car, head) * imitation of playing behavior (e.g. cousins stands on bed, then jumps landing on his knees, Theo stands on bed then falls to his knees) * spontaneously plays hide-and-go-seek (effing ADORABLE!) * dances to music Some of these things he was starting to show signs of just before we left, so maybe he would have gotten there without the child interaction. But being there, seeing how rapidly the light turned on for him when he would watch those kids, in a way that he's never done when we've tried playing with him - it was enthralling and exhilarating. This has been a really special week that I won't soon forget. * I think Big Bear is the only smaller city I've spent time in, which means I can't technically say that Alamogordo is the smallest. But I believe if I expand the concept to county population/density instead of city, Alamogordo's Otero County takes the cake at 64K population, 10 people/sq. mile __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-21-2011, 05:16 PM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Oh my, love hearing about the Theo upgrades. Um, can't you expose him to more kids? Then, a bit later, to speakers of foreign languages and players of musical instruments? The kid's a sponge, after all. Fill him with love and play and talents!
	Submit to Quotes

04-21-2011, 05:52 PM	#3
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Glad you had a good weekend, GD! Little Theo is growing up. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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04-21-2011, 06:54 PM	#4
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I LOVE hearing about his giant learning steps! I think you just let him hang out with Chris for a day (alone) and he'll come home talking about the categorical imperative and asking "How do you know you're really Dad?".
	Submit to Quotes

04-21-2011, 07:42 PM	#5
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	When we hang out with other kids, most of the older kids aren't interested in playing with him. Kids his age don't really play together, they play side by side. These cousins were really excited to see him and made a huge effort to include him in their games. What a lovely few days. If you know anything about my family, it's that we have plenty of rough patches. This vacation was nothing but enjoyment, which I think my family really needed. Harmony is so much more pleasant! __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

04-21-2011, 10:31 PM	#6
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Harmony- I agree! __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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04-22-2011, 12:59 AM	#7
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Lovely Theo update __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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04-24-2011, 07:53 PM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Ignoring the little girl who tried to kick a barely-flying baby bird and the Toy Story Lot bus driver who somehow thought Mike Tyson and Charlie Sheen "impersonations" were an appropriate way to "entertain" us on the way to the lot, we had a simply perfect day at Disneyland today, my 3 year old niece's first visit. She had a ton of fun, and she and Theo got along so well. Plus, Theo for the first time actively enjoyed an attraction, the Tiki Room (no surprise considering his love of music and fascination with birds). Today was a special day. And this happened. Buzz.jpg __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2011, 08:30 PM	#10
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Holy carp!!! Congratulations on the rediculously high score! __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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