The Big Comeback

Back at home in the Okanagon and settling in for Fall.  So happy to be home.  Mostly I wanted to hop on here and record a little bit about Ronan, and what kind of kid he is turning out to be.  He is taking steps now--he can do about 10 at a time in the past couple days.  He's a big pointer, he especially likes to point to me when he sees me.  John likens this to a football players tribute (as in, "You the MAN, mommy,") and that is what it really looks like.  He loves the cat and he loves to play catch.  Catch is his favorite thing.  When he sees a ball, he says, "catch"  repeatedly until he gets it and throws it to you.  Seriously, he loves this game.  He is absolutely hysterical.  He still has his trademark high pitched old man cackle, and he also gets a kick out of throwing his head back and laughing to amuse people.  He'll do it over and over again for effect.  And I mean way back, sometimes he'll lose his balance.  He likes to look at books now, and will "talk" as he looks through them as if reading.  He gets the biggest kick out of Mary Lu and Juan and loves to make them laugh, and be included in their games and laughter.  He climbs a lot and has climbed to the top of the stairs once, to my dismay, and is often caught climbing the bunk bed ladder.  He likes to play in the dog water.  He LOVES the water.  He can't get enough of it.  He doesn't care if it's cold, if it gets in his eyes, if his head goes under.  He would stay in it all day, I swear--the bath, the lake, the pool.  I had a hell of a time keeping him out of the pool at the Y for Juan's swim lessons this summer.  Mostly he lay on the side and stuck his arm in and splashed all over.    He had a great time at the Oregon coast this summer, crawling all around in the sand even though it was cold and windy.  He also loves trees, and would rather be outside than anywhere else (except the water).  He likes to swing.