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Adventures of a spectacularly active, incredibly clever, and insanely adorable little boy.
Birth date: June 15, 2004
| oct 15 - nov 14 2005< previous month | next month > Start at the beginning of Simonial Kagledom |
Fun Simon Stuff
see him age at a glance watch his 6-12 month music video (9mb) watch his 0-6 month music video (10mb) when did that happen? a timeline
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Archives by Age
16 months
The Sixteen Month Old
this month's photosNovember 11, 2005
Simon says: "Happy Birthdays Oma and Cousin Dara!"
Simon is still oozing. He is, however, smarter than he was just a few days ago. His long strings of gibberish are turning meaningful, his words are becoming clear, and he has started to talk about concepts he understands (like the moon comes out when it is dark, dark glasses are worn outside and clear glasses are worn inside, Winslow is a bird and birds live outside so when Winslow was not at home last week, he must have been outside too). New favorite thing to say: "E I E I" sometimes followed by "O."
November 10, 2005
Simon appears to have a cold (again). Since the symptoms of teething and the symptoms of having a cold are pretty much identical, we are left to judge his situation based on our own levels of congestion. Today Matthew and Hava have that "not so fresh" feeling so we are going with the cold theory. This is the third or fourth time that Simon has come down with something three or four days after our bi-weekly play date so we're considering not hosting play dates for the remainder of cold and flu season. We really like having toddlers and their parents over to socialize (and we are the only weekend play date on the Las Madres calendar) but it is difficult to turn parents away when their toddlers show signs of illness (because, who knows, it may just be teething). We do realize that Simon will get all of these little illnesses eventually; we're just not happy about knowing we're contributing to his sleeplessness and misery two weeks out of every month.
November 8, 2005
which way do we go?
I got a sticker.
Trying to fill Dad's shoes.
November 8, 2005
It's election day! Voting is old hat for Simon; this morning was his second round of going to the polls. Last time things didn't turn out quite as well as we had hoped so Simon spent several weeks attempting to cheer his parents. Lucky for him, we're not as emotionally invested this time. Photos of Election Simon will be posted later this evening. Now that the days are getting shorter, it isn't as much fun for Simon's parents to play with him outside in the evenings. How do you entertain the outdoor boy indoors? Last night there was chasing around and around the living room with occasional parental hiding and popping out from behind chairs. Whenever Mom or Dad would rest, Simon would do the sign for "more" and, at the same time, say "again? again?" And then there was the half hour when Simon climbed up on the big leather chair and propelled himself off the side to the bean bag tuffet below over and over. Our boy needs a gymnastics class.
November 6, 2005
From the Creators of Calvin comes ...The Dark Prince and Tinky Winky on Halloween
The Dark Prince reaches into his bucket-o-treats for weapons
The Dark Prince attacks Tinky Winky
A fierce battle ensues
Later, the Dark Prince and Tinky Winky join forces to hand out candy
The Dark Prince reaches into his bucket-o-treats for weapons
The Dark Prince attacks Tinky Winky
A fierce battle ensues
Later, the Dark Prince and Tinky Winky join forces to hand out candy
November 4, 2005
So many great photos from Halloween and Chicago, which should be posted? Today let's focus on Chicago. Here are a few things we learned on our trip ...
Simon and Matthew in front of the Chicago Cultural Center
Simon and his reflection in "the bean." (Millennium Park)
Simon and an artistic face in Millennium Park.
Simon ordering Mac and Cheese from room service via the remote control in the Hard Rock Hotel, Downtown Chicago.
- Simon does not do well during nap time or bed time when he is not faced down in a crib.
- Simon does not do well when he has two molars breaking through. (Simon now has all four first molars.)
- Simon can scream so loud and for so long in public that everyone will look and stare and wonder about his parents. Some of these people will make comments. Others look knowingly as if they were members of the screaming baby club too. Still others will send a glare because he isn't stopping RIGHT NOW.
- Simon loves hotel rooms - trash cans to move, buttons to push, closets to lock himself in over and over while giggling incessantly, lots and lots of fluffy pillows, doorknobs with long handles that are easy to open ...
- Simon might one day get us kicked out of a hotel room in the middle of the night for waking all of the guests with his shrill and unending refusals to go back to sleep.
- Simon can finally sleep in a bed with his parents.
- Simon loves the freedom of the wide open spaces of downtown Chicago.
- Simon loves the fact that his parents gave in to most every food whim he ever had and even those he didn't know he had (including his first McDonald's cheese burger - which he ate proving once and for all that the stuff isn't really meat, lots and lots of mac & cheese, his first sip of Sprite, two shortbread cookies, and some birthday ice cream from both Mom and Dad).
- Simon loves loves loves escalators.
- Being on a bus is fun; being on a plane is not.
- Simon can watch a video for more than 3 minutes if that video is Finding Nemo and he will clap when the little fish escape from the big scary fish.
- Simon will run up to a stranger and give her a hug without being asked if that stranger is Hava's friend, April.
Simon and Matthew in front of the Chicago Cultural Center
Simon and his reflection in "the bean." (Millennium Park)
Simon and an artistic face in Millennium Park.
Simon ordering Mac and Cheese from room service via the remote control in the Hard Rock Hotel, Downtown Chicago.
November 1, 2005
Simon says: "Happy Almost Birthday Mama!"A couple of days ago we let Romeo and Juliet, er, Calvin and Simon see each other once again. We had been keeping them apart so that Calvin wouldn't get this nasty virus (which has turned out to be a bad head cold). After the squealing and the running, Simon walked over to Calvin, put his hands on Calvin's shoulders, drew him close, wrapped his arms around him, put his head to one side and said "awwwwww". Then he stood back and clapped. Then he hugged Calvin again. Then he stood back and clapped. (It went on like this for a few minutes as we parents laughed in disbelief.) Calvin, the good sport, stood there looking bemused. Since that time, Simon has hugged Calvin at least twenty times. Yesterday afternoon Simon and Calvin went trick-or-treating in Willow Glen. Last night Tinky Winky and The Dark Prince went trick-or-treating to a few of the neighbors. Mom suggested they reverse trick-or-treat and Simon was more than happy to ring doorbells and hand people goodies. Simon collapsed at 6:45 and slept nearly 12 hours. He is still congested but we're almost slightly kind of sure that he'll be somewhat excited to be on a plane headed for the Windy City this morning.
October 31, 2005
October 28, 2005
Simon is sick with a stomach bug that he probably contracted from one of his wee friends. Hava has been the recipient of two bouts of vomiting two nights in a row. Interestingly enough, she doesn't really mind being covered in Simon's vomit. Yes there is a completely horrifyingly gross aspect to it after the fact but when the stuff comes flying out and you see the poor little shivering boy sad and flushed, the Parenthood Gene springs into action to make everything better. We hope he is well soon (it has already been two full days) and that he hasn't passed it on; we have big plans for the coming week... Now that we've ruined your appetite, take a look at what Simon's sitter Nancy (the professional pastry chef) created for our anniversary:
October 27, 2005
Once upon a time there lived two little bears who, four years ago tomorrow, woke up to find themselves hitched...
They thought "let's get outta here and celebrate!" It was just after September 11...
Eventually they found themselves on a plane...
And then in a jeep, in the dark, climbing an unpaved road up a very steep hill...
The view was amazing...
Cheers to the bears for four wonderful years!
Every hill is worth the view from the top. Happy Anniversary!
They thought "let's get outta here and celebrate!" It was just after September 11...
Eventually they found themselves on a plane...
And then in a jeep, in the dark, climbing an unpaved road up a very steep hill...
The view was amazing...
Cheers to the bears for four wonderful years!
Every hill is worth the view from the top. Happy Anniversary!
October 25, 2005
This evening Grandmother Jill and Grandfather Steve stopped by to kick off the beginning of Grandparent Kagle season. We celebrated with dinner and a trip to the pumpkin patch. Simon enjoyed the dancing skeleton and was fascinated by the birds and the pigs but he found the train ride frustrating and the pumpkins boring. You may remember that Simon picked out his own pumpkin a while back so this trip was for Mom, Dad and Winslow pumpkins. Here is Simon attempting to push our 2005 selections.
We've decided to remove the crank-o-meter because Simon seems to have decided that it just isn't worth it to be cranky for hours at a time. Sure, he's still cranky here and there but an entire day of the crankies just doesn't seem to happen these days. If the crank-o-meter rises to orange or red, we'll let you know otherwise you can assume we're enjoying days of green and blue with the occasional yellow moment thrown in to keep us on our toes.
We've decided to remove the crank-o-meter because Simon seems to have decided that it just isn't worth it to be cranky for hours at a time. Sure, he's still cranky here and there but an entire day of the crankies just doesn't seem to happen these days. If the crank-o-meter rises to orange or red, we'll let you know otherwise you can assume we're enjoying days of green and blue with the occasional yellow moment thrown in to keep us on our toes.
October 24, 2005 
*UPDATE* Half of Simon's third molar (upper right) was spotted today at lunch. Woo hoo! One or two more nights of sleeplessness and we're home free for ... well ... a week or so until its mate decides to appear.
Simon was up for most of the night. We were up for most of the night. We expect an enormous molar ANY TIME NOW.On the positive side, Simon signed "more" in the middle of the night to let us know he was hungry (he has taken the sign of "more" to mean "more food"). A few days ago he started eating like a regular toddler as opposed to the ferociously hungry Simonator with an endless pit for a stomach. Unfortunately, we believe the decrease in appetite may have to do with the fact that Simon has become a very finicky eater and will go hungry if he doesn't like what is offered. That is, he will go hungry until the middle of the night when he just can't stand the feeling of an empty stomach. What does Simon willingly eat these days? Pasta with marinara, pesto, or cheese sauce. Rice. Parmesan cheese. Fish and leek dumplings. (Actually, most anything dumpling/ravioli oriented.) Salmon in marinara. Shrimp. Melon. Dried fruit. Grapes. Corn. Peas. Pomegranate seeds. Plain yogurt. He has occasional bursts of desire for cheese, eggs, bread, cereal, tofu, crackers, carrots, and all kinds of fruit but one never knows if those foods will be devoured or thrown overboard. Hava hides vegetables and meat in Simon's food at every opportunity. Simon has become very good at detecting and expelling intruders. If you have ideas or know of good books for healthy bland toddler eating, please share.
It should be noted that yesterday, at our Las Madres play date, amid cheers from his adoring fans, Simon shared his vacuum with his little friend Michael. His brow was furrowed at the time, nevertheless, he willingly handed the vacuum over and, for that, we are very proud.
October 23, 2005
It's the most wonderful time of the year but also the busiest. Before Simon there was decorating to do, pumpkins to find, costumes to put together, parties to plan, anniversaries and birthdays. Now all of the preparations are squished between playdates, walks, trips to the park, and swim classes. Not that we're complaining but a post-Halloween vacation is definately in order.
Simon's friend, Anushka and her Mom went to India in August and they returned with a lovely gift for him ...
How cute is Indian Simon?
How cute is Indian Simon?
October 19, 2005
Yesterday, Simon went over to Calvin's and attacked his Pooh. We provide pictures but you're going to have to imagine the jumping up and down, the screeching, and the laughter ...
October 18, 2005
And now we know why prunes are advertized for the less regular segment of the population. French prunes from the Farmer's Market: what a great snack idea for Simon. Five dirty diaper changes and one carpet cleaning later, we're not feeling so smug. Perhaps offering one instead of ten might have been the better course. We forgot to mention two new tricks learned over the weekend. Simon has started gregariously grooving and will pick up both feet and boogie when we sing "DANCE DANCE! dance dance, DANCE DANCE! dance dance" and he now puts one finger up to his lips and makes the "shhhh" sound when singing "the parents on the bus say 'shh' 'shh' 'shh'." Future librarians unite!
October 17, 2005
Simon says: "Happy Belated Birthday Auntie Laura and Happy Almost Birthday Uncle Jon!"
We've figured it out! Simon is working his way through the alphabet one letter at a time. Right now he is working on words that begin with the letters "A" and "B". "And", "Again" and "Apple" are creeping into his vocabulary as are "Ball" (which means any round object), "Bird", "Bear", and "Book" (all sound eerily familiar since he doesn't pronounce the last letters of the words). He has a few exceptions to alphabetical order; when he sees a snake in a story he says "ssssssss" and he still likes to say "hi", "uh oh", "Daddy", and, when it suits him, "Mama".
Since last week, he has become completely moon obsessed (aka "da bah") and wants to run outside to see it at every chance (even during the day) or point them out in story books. He also understands that crescents and full moons are both versions of the same thing.That's the good news and now onto the bad ... Just last week, at his 16 month appointment, we were handed a sheet to read about tantrums and thought "wow, aren't we glad that Simon doesn't do that or that or that!" Well, as we reported a few days back, Simon has reached the zone some might call the "terrible twos" and it doesn't appear to be letting up. The crank-o-meter hasn't fluctuated because Simon is a really sweet kid most of the time. But, just over the past few days, he has taken to screeching and going limp when a parent tries to move him to a place he doesn't want to go. Saturday he was conducting the train at the Children's Discovery Museum when another little boy sat down next to him and Simon screeched and pulled his hair. Yikes. Maybe we need to replace the crank-o-meter with a tantrum counter.October 15, 2005
Happy Sixteen Months to Simon!He's now a third of the way through his second year (and he doesn't associate the boppy with nursing anymore) so we thought it was time to
watch him age.
Thursday night Hava and Simon had their first debate; they were outside at sunset, looking at the moon together for the first time. It went something like this:
Simon: (pointing at the moon) "A ball!"Hava: "That's the moon."Simon: "A ball!"Hava: "You know, like in Goodnight Moon. The cow jumps over the MOON?"Simon:"dat a ball!"And it went on like this for another twenty minutes. Friday night Simon wanted to go outside to see "da ball" so, clearly, Hava didn't win. Yesterday Simon had his first laying on the floor arching, kicking, and crying tantrum. Calvin was taking his turn on the rocking horse and, lest you like to think of Simon as all sugar and spice, we should warn you that SIMON DOESN'T SHARE. Yes, he will share with you because you are adults and Simon has already figured out that being nice to adults begets rewards but other toddlers? Simon would just as well poke their eyes out and remove the limbs from their wee bodies (and, unfortunately, he does try).