Siblings

Recently, for unknown reasons, Anders has been beyond sweet to Halle. Way sweet. He asks about her first thing in the morning when we go in to get him up (Baby?); he asks to hold her and tries to pick her up; he checks on her when she cries; he puts his head on hers (a little too roughly, of course), he points out her eyes, nose, mouth, and head and giggles. As a mom who was expecting just the opposite, I have been continually surprised by the love he has showered on her. What's his motive I've asked? Assuming a 22-month-old wild man must surely have a motive for being sweet. Does he think this will get him apple juice? One less diaper change? An extra hour of Barney? More grits for dinner? Or, does he really just love her?

He takes it so seriously when he holds her, being almost gentle and almost not heavy-handed.

Halle seems to love Anders' love.

Here are Lucy and Anders strawberry picking. Monkey see, monkey do. One strawberry for me, one for you.

Family photo op. Halle was snuggled up in Grandpa Ching's arms at this time.

I am so glad the below was captured. Anders' first year of preschool St. James at is almost over, and here is the class lining up (counting off, sort of) to go out to the playground. Ms. Molly and Ms. Polly have them well trained.

And, here's the class picture! What a crew, and what a tremendous amount of energy this photo contains.

Anders has continued to talk up a storm. He's also been showing off his youthful memory skills. He pointed to a mailbox in the neighborhood and said "balloon," and I had to stop to think, and remembered we had seen a balloon there about six weeks ago. He narrates throughout the day and has started repeating many of the words we say (a reminder to us), recently saying "ick, achoo, goofball, Matt, night, sun, uno, dos, song, soap, estas," and more. He has also gotten in the habit of saying "Hi" quite boisterously, and "Bye" to everything. He cracked us up when he said "Bye Daddy, Bye Rob, Bye Baby," and then looked at a toy he didn't know the word for and said "Bye This!" He later looked at Rob's friend, Jay, when he was leaving and said "Bye THIS!"

Halle is doing well these days and is just about as loved, and loving, as a person can be.