Time to Eat!

Here's a video of Leon eating lunch with me. I didn't cook the brocolli as long as he likes. So you'll see what he does with that. He knows the sign language for "eat," "ya (all done)," and "mas" (more). But recently he has been talking more than signing. I'll do a video soon with him talking. He knows so many words!!!

ps this video is from the last week in Oct. Things have been pretty busy around here. I'll post new videos soon.

The Unthinkable

This morning Leon woke up way too early. It was before 4 am. He refused to go back to bed. He nursed and then wanted to play. I handed him my iPad (that I just on Sunday had downloaded an episode of Sesame Street) to watch Big Bird and the others. I laid back down beside him and he watched the iPad in amazement. That is a big "no no." The American Pediatric Society says no "tv" until two years old. The authors of "Simple Life" (a book I would recommend though I'm not following as closely as I would love) say to remove all things with screens (tvs, computers etc) from your house all together until children are over five (or was it seven?). But the concept that TV, videos, and computers are bad for babies and toddlers is not an American concept. When I visit other families with children Leon's age and sometimes younger they almost always have the TV on to some child friendly program. Leon received two Baby Einstein DVDs when he was just a few months old and they are for three months and up! (I did put one on for him when he was younger but he didn't seem to like it or care).

So what's a parent to do? In a perfect world Leon would sleep until 7 am and we would have interactive and engaging play with non-commercial products. But in my world, Leon has been waking up before 5 am fully ready to play. I'd like to call this morning an exception to the rule. I usually read books with him and play in his room when he wakes up early. My intention is never to have a relapse but I can't promise that Elmo and friends or Blues Clues won't save me in the future.

Nothing says Halloween Like a Bouncy Castle

For Leon's second Halloween he was his dad's mini-me. I couldn't get good pictures of him! He wouldn't stand still! He loved checking out all the laughing kids in costumes. The scary ones didn't seem to scare him only perplex him. He cried during the pinata game (what young kid wouldn't cry while children took turns beating the tied up animal). He also liked walking around the area. But the ultimate fun award goes to the bouncy castle. It's not a party in Venezuela unless someone has a bouncy castle.

I tried to shorten this video and then said, "oh what the heck." To get the full flavor of the bouncy castle I could cut out too much. :)

Sick Sunday

Here's a cute picture of Leon for you! I feel sick so I'm going to bed. Leon work up at 4 am the last two days! Sat am I thought I could help him get back to sleep. Then at 6 am we left his room together. Today at 4 am he started making noises (it's a I'm awake/I want to be sleep/but if you can hear me come and get me and we can play noise) I watched him on the monitor and he was still laying down (that's another sign to watch for, Leon is really up when he is standing in his crib) so I let him make noises until 5 am. I'm hoping this was just a weird weekend thing. 4 am wake up is only ok when one goes to bed at 8 pm! Wait what I'm I doing up now?

Good night!

Road Trip

On our way to the beach we stopped on the side of the road for the kids to stretch their legs. Leon's favorite word these days (other than "NO") is agua (water). It was hard at the beach to know what he wanted. He used to say "agua" when he wanted water to drink, but at the beach he said "agua" for the pool and the ocean AND when he wanted to go swimming AND when he was thirsty.

New Favorite Posada

One of the great things about Venezuela is the posadas. They are like bed and breakfast establishments. Usually they are run by individuals (vs large companies) and they serve at least one meal, some all three. The posadas in Merida were nice. But my new favorite one is Seite Mares. We went on a road trip to Siete Mares last weekend. It was just a day trip but next time (and if you come and visit) we will stay overnight one or two nights.

Here's a video of hiking at Siete Mares.

Baby Gym

One of the best things about American holidays when I am abroad is that I get the day off and everything is open! So we were able to go to Leon's Babygym class today with him. Usually he goes with his Nanny (Elizabeth). Leon's been going to Babygym for a month and he seems to really love it. I'm so proud of him! The first (and only other time I went with him) he didn't want to do most of the activities (except for dancing). But now he is doing everything. Mom, he even hangs on the bars (I didn't tape that because I was standing by ready to catch him if he fell!). Check him out!