Can you S-P-E-L-L?

Hello everyone - from the wayward blogger. I can't believe it's already March 11th! Where has the time gone? I think I'll be asking that question for the next 20 years.

Scott continues to grow and is the happiest boy I've ever seen. He has his bad days - he's a toddler after all. His hair is really coming in and he loves to spend time outside. He's learning to walk on uneven surfaces and is fascinated by the creek running behind our house. Yesterday Dave took him through the woods and let him put his fingers in the running water. He kept them there until the hand turned red from the cold water, but he loved it. He had this grin on his face and jabbered at the water. We each held a hand and let him walk through the woods. I wish you could see the expressions on his at each new experience. I think he's going to love being in the woods as much as we do.

The reason I asked if you can s-p-e-l-l is because the little guy is learning to understand English. I'm amazed that he's really comprehending what we're saying after months of looking at us blankly. There are certain words he knows and even says - go, out, up, cook (short for cookie) and of course the continuing favorite - cat. Callie has been replaced in the number one slot this week by the new word "duck." He wanders around playing and saying "duck" frequently. Today I told him we were going to visit Grandma and Grandpa and he needed to get his shoes. He lit up and ran looking for them. He used to fight putting shoes on and now he can't wait.

Dave and I have both been sick for the past few weeks. It's a nasty virus that for me blossomed into a bad infection. We're coughing and blowing but I think I've got the worst of it behind me. I'm still trying to talk him into seeing a doctor. It's hard to be sick with Scott around because he doesn't understand. Mommy should be able to run and play - and he gets this confused look on his face when I can't. I don't want to scare him, so I really tried to keep up. It's good to have my energy back! He's been pretty healthy - just the usual colds. Let's hope that holds.

We've all got Spring fever and these lovely days this weekend have been a blessing. The bulbs are starting to poke up from the ground and we could even see a tiny crocus bloom in Grandpa's sidewalk garden in front of their house. I told Scott that he's just going to love the springtime - and I'm looking out the window each day in anticipation of that first hint of the green that means it's really here.

The other morning there were 2 deer near the house when we got up. I held Scott and Callie looked out the window at them with us. We all quietly watched them as they nibbled the dry brown grasses and wandered away into the neighbor's backyard. Scott was fascinated and frankly I love seeing these creatures up close - except when they are eating our trees and flowers!

I think the biggest challenge to come will be keeping our little explorer close. He's getting so fast!

Hope everyone is well. :-)