Updates: Montessori and signing

We're into week 2 of the Montessori Preschool. So far, it seems to be going well. I was most impressed after talking to Brendan's teacher, Miss Terrie, on Friday. She's been in this business for more than 20 years. She said she resisted the Montessori training in the beginning, almost offended that her way of teaching children could be wrong. Now, she believes whole-heartedly that this is the best way to teach children.

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As for teaching Ryan sign language, I realized last week that he is understanding and responding to signs, though he isn't using them yet. I was holding him at home this weekend and asked him if he wanted to eat, while doing the sign. When I pulled my hand away from my mouth, he grabbed and put it right back. He gladly ate after that. Also, he has taken to clapping when I ask and sign if he wants more.

And one more update: Ryan did the sign for more tonight!

Grey's fan

If you aren't watching Grey's Anatomy, then you are missing one of the best series on television. Period.

I've been hooked since the first season began. ABC is advertising that season 3 will begin Thursday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. eastern. You must tune in!

Now, if you are already a fan and appreciate how well-written this show is, you'll love the writers' blog. It gives more insight into each episode, from the writers, and sometimes points out little details that you miss the first time you see an episode.

A lesson in newspaper history

For those of you who have heard bits and pieces of what's going on with Detroit's two daily newspapers, including my employer the Detroit Free Press, you may be interested to read this editorial. It gives a better history of what happened a year ago when Knight Ridder sold the Free Press to Gannett, and all that has happened since.

Fascinating story

Is anyone else out there fascinated by Jill Carroll's story? If you aren't reading, you can check it out at the Detroit Free Press or Monitor's website.

Carroll is the freelance journalist who was kidnapped while writing for the Monitor in Iraq. She's recounting her experience in an 11-part story. I have been addicted to her every account. Her experience is unfathomable to me.

Perhaps what draws me in even more is learning about her kidnappers and Iraq. The war and Iraq often dominate front pages and newscasts, but it's interesting to hear a story from a different perspective. Jill gives us insight to a country that dominates the news but is still so distant and foreign to most of us.

Signing to happiness

I've always been fascinated with the idea of teaching babies sign language to give them a better communication tool (other than crying) before using words. I thought I'd teach Brendan, but that never happened. I was starting a new job in a new city and could barely remember to read the next month from "What to Expect the First Year."

This time, I have attempted teaching Ryan a couple of basic signs, such as food and more. He definitely understands there's some connection between those movements and food. Then again, his entire world is about food as he eats nonstop. I have yet to see him sign back to me.

Some studies suggest babies who use sign language are happier because they are able to communicate at an earlier age, so I'll keep trying. I'll report back as we learn more.

First steps

Ryan took his first two steps last night while at Music in the Park in downtown Plymouth. We've noticed he's been much bolder lately, standing without any support nearby. He was doing this throughout the picnic dinner and concert.

Then he took a couple of steps as he reached for the stroller, which he likes to play with. It took me a moment to process what I had seen! Of course, he acted as if he's been doing it for months.

Montessori preschool

Last night Ken and I met with Brendan's teachers to discuss the new Montessori format. After 15-plus years serving as a day care, KidSpace is now offering Montessori for the preschool classes. This will be quite an adjustment, particularly because Brendan was looking forward to turning 4 and moving to the Pre-K class.

Instead, he'll move to another room but will be join children ages 2 1/2-6. Ken and I hope the self-paced format will serve Brendan well. We know that he often becomes so engrossed in an activity that it is hard for him to transition. (Isn't that normal for his age?) Hopefully, the Montessori format will give him the choice to continue working on his activity until he's ready to move on.

I am also hopeful that the idea of becoming a teacher to younger children will help shape Brendan as a big brother. OK, so maybe that won't end the fighting down the road. Still, he is at his best when given responsibility and made to feel as if he has an important role in a task.

The Big 4!

Brendan had such a wonderful birthday. He shook off a puffy eye early in the morning, and recovered with a fun school day and cupcakes with his friends. We left a little early from downtown Detroit and visited our favorite summertime restaurant, Doyle's, for alfresco dining. (The weather was perfect -- mid 80s, blue skies, litte wind.)

Then we walked to our favorite summertime ice cream stand, Dairy King. The evening was followed with presents in our backyard at home. Brendan was thrilled to get "my very own camera." (You can see his debut photographs soon.)

Brendan shows off his "I'm 4" medal, as he called it.

Brendan makes a funny face while wearing his school's birthday hat.

We all enjoyed celebrating Brendan's day, especially Ryan who was thrilled to eat a cupcake and ice cream in the same day!

Happy Birthday, Brendan!

Today we wish Brendan a happy 4th birthday! On Sunday, we gathered our closest Michigan friends at the Colony Swim Club to celebrate the occasion. We swam, dug in the sand, kicked around beach balls, and chowed on burgers and cake.

Sunday night when we played our favorite-part-of-the-day game at bedtime, Brendan said cake and presents were his favorites. I can see why! His wonderful friends gave him board games (Mouse Trap and Operation Shrek), Batman and Superman action figures, and very cool helicopters. Needless to say, he was content playing with his new toys the rest of the day.

I'm particularly excited about the board games. We played many while growing up and still do when the family is together for holidays or special events. (While in Oklahoma City, I revisted one of my childhood favorites, Connect Four, with Brendan.) Games and puzzles are also a great winding-down activity before bedtime.

Warning: Tantrums ahead

Last night it happened. Ryan threw his first temper tantrum.

Of course, ask me when Brendan first fell to the floor crying or screaming, and I wouldn't be able to pinpoint the date. (I can list the last 10, though.) With the first child, the change from baby to toddler isn't as obvious. Perhaps it is to the rest of the world, but to the parent, it's much easier to relish those days holding the sweet, dependent baby and smiling at every little thing he does, even if it includes screaming to get his way. It's a cute scream, naturally.

Now, a more seasoned parent, I know that Ryan was not crying simply because he was sad. He wanted his way. I couldn't help but chuckle as he hung his head down to the ground and cried. Then he laid on the floor, crying, occasionally looking up to see if I was still tuned in to his antics. With Brendan, I would have been. With Ryan, I knew better. And within a minute, he stopped crying and began playing with nearby toys.

Farewell, baby. Hello, toddler. More tantrums to come.

A day in the life of Ryan ...

• Crawls quickly from point-to-point, then pulls up and cruises around.
• Practices standing on his own, when he's in the mood.
• Eats, eats, eats. Some of his favorite foods: bananas, grapes, strawberries, meatballs, Cheerios and Rice Krispies.
• Tries to resist Mom's insistence that he give up formula, which he was never fond of, and switch to whole milk.
• Screams to communicate with his brother that these toys are his!
• Goes down a little slide, and successfully climbs back up.
• Kicks his feet while swimming. He loves the water.
• Splashes anyone and everyone in the bathroom as he bathes.
• Reads books. His favorites: Beautiful Babies, The Foot Book, Good Morning.
• Constantly crawls after Mom when she walks by, all the while saying, "Momma!"
• Laughs uncontrollably when his brother entertains him.
• Opens the cabinets of his play kitchen and pulls out everything.
• Tirelessly attempts to play with the bathroom drawers.
• Waves to Dad, brother, or even the house to say hello or goodbye. Occasionally, he'll say, "Hi."

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Ryan celebrated his first birthday while we visited Grammy and Papa in Oklahoma, and then again while at Grandma and Grandpa Healy's house in Texas.

The party in Oklahoma was quite the celebration! Our immediate family attended -- grandparents, aunts, uncles, and his cousin. But we also had several of my aunts and uncles from Woodward, Ponca City and Taloga.

Just as Brendan did at his first birthday, Ryan took no interest in his cake, which came from our favorite Dallas bakery, Casa Linda.

It wasn't until we had a smaller celebration on his actual birthdate at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Texas that he at least dug into the frosting. Still, he didn't care to eat it, which is odd considering he eats everything in sight these days!