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| multimedia library about us |
Adventures of a spectacularly active, incredibly clever, and insanely adorable little boy.
Birth date: June 15, 2004
| feb 15 - mar 14 2006< 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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the crankometer: toddler threat level indicator first birthday celebration male lactation: theory and practice pumping for breastmilk: a guide like father, like son: geekdom
Archives by Age
The Twenty Month Old
last month's photosthis month's photos
March 12, 2006
Everything is looking up. Simon now speaks in English that we understand. He eats real food and sits in his highchair (without the tray - a compromise) until he announces "all done". He gives his parents tight hugs and pats on the back. He smiles and laughs and is cheerful and takes long weekend naps.
Spring is coming and we have never appreciated that fact more.
When not enjoying just *being* outside, we three joined our local YMCA (mostly for the pool) and spent some time with the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
We then spent time counting and jumping (two of Simon's favorite hobbies). Here's a look.
March 9, 2006
Since Grandparents' Kagle arrived, on Tuesday, he has been the happiest bundle of love and positive energy. So it seems his problem was less a case of the terrible twos and more of the reoccurring PBS infection (Parental Boredom Syndrome).
New things for Simon: he wants to help cook or prepare every meal himself. "Cookie" (which he learned while making cookies with Dad) has quickly come to mean "cooking." Early in the week he baked an apple pie with the help of Mama and Daddy and tasted every apple (just to make sure they were ripe) before placing them into the bowl. He continues to learn new words at a very good pace. He was able to run around outside this week due to the sudden "warm" weather and, we're certain, is anticipating more outside (without mittens) time soon.
Baking
Just before it turned warm (between 50 and 60 degrees), it snowed.
March 5, 2006
March 4, 2006
When Simon isn't being cranky or feeling rotten he is enjoying watching "choo choo" trains or little kids singing his favorite songs found through Google Video. Find a kid singing "I've Been Working on the Railroad" while playing with a train that makes the "choo choo" sound and you are guaranteed a place in his heart forever. Our current favorites are this baby singing E I E I O and this baby watching her toy train. Sometimes we look up videos of animals in the wild making animal noises. That's fun too.
In other news, although we don't want to get too excited, it is highly possible that we're finally reaching that "language explosion" we've heard so much about. Simon has become so frustrated by our inability to learn Simonese that he sometimes shouts the English version of the word as a last resort. "BOOOOWWWLL!" or "LIIGHT!" or "GET WITH THE PROGRAM FOLKS, YOUR LANGUAGE ISN'T AS GOOD AS MINE!"
March 3, 2006
Simon and Daddy had made oatmeal cookies the day before. Simon won't eat the cookies but, clearly, he likes the idea of eating them (he actually wanted toast).
Yesterday marks the first time Simon lied. "Do you have poop in your pants?" asked Mama. Simon said "No?" Besides the smell, it was the ear to ear grin that gave him away.
On the positive side, Matthew taught Simon how to say "please" today. He is very "peasd" with himself.
March 2, 2006
Dear Simon,
You have been sick with a bad cold these past few days. You are congested and have a terrible hacking cough. Your second molars must be coming in because you keep both hands in your mouth, one on each side. Last night you slept but the few nights before that you cried and were brought into the big bed for a while until, as is our custom, your Dad took you back to your crib when you weren't able to sleep. We are all tired and your Dad is sick too and we are pretty darn cranky; we've just learned to feign happiness - something you're learning but haven't yet mastered (actually, you're learning to feign sadness, not happiness but happiness seems like the next logical step). So we don't pass the cold on, your Dad hasn't been able to take you to any of your normal activities or have the sitter give him some time of his own. He needs time of his own. Really he does.
You are an ENTIRE FOUR MONTHS from two but, when we remind you of that you simply say "two? three?" The other day you wanted nothing but "apples" to eat. "Apples! Apples!" you cried. Dad went into the fridge and cut you apples but you wouldn't eat them. Turns out what you meant was "watermelon." You actually do know the difference but you refuse to say "watermelon" or "plums" or "oranges" or "grapes" or the name of any other fruit. So, Dad figured out what you wanted and cut the watermelon into little chunks and put the chunks in a plastic cup (our plastic bowls weren't big enough). You cried. Watermelon is apparently no good in a cup, it should be in a bowl. Dad sat down to rest. You walked over to Dad and emptied the untouched cup of watermelon on his lap (on the new couch). Dad has made you three smoothies over the past three days when you asked but you won't drink them because they don't taste like Mom's. Dad takes you outside when you insist but you won't wear your mittens so your hands get cold and you scream, little red hands splayed out in the frigid air. You would think that would be enough to let Dad warm your hands but you won't have any of it. You scream and cry and throw things if you are placed in your highchair or booster seat but you can't reach the table on a normal chair to feed yourself (and oh how you MUST be able to feed yourself). We are perpetually perplexed.
Yesterday, when I was headed off to work, you and Dad had just figured out that you wanted milk "wa wa" instead of water "wa wa" and were proceeding to the next step of finding the "right" cup. Success! A red sippy cup. Then your Dad, on a few hours sleep and not feeling well, lifted each lid, one at a time and asked "Purple?" "No." "Red?" "No." "Green?" "No."....
Be nice.
Love, Mama
More perpetual perplexities:
This morning Simon woke up asking for "money? money? more money?"
The other day he repeated "where da buttons?" over and over while sifting through drawers.
He has no fondness for money or buttons.
March 1, 2006
Matthew, Simon, cough.
Elmo makes it no better.
New teeth hurt too, sad.
February 28, 2006
[Excerpt from email to BWWWOES]
Matthew, Simon, snot.
Elmo makes it all better.
Hava takes Airborne.
February 27, 2006
February 26, 2006
Our morning outing was followed by another rough-nap-Sunday in which Simon fell asleep in the car in the morning for 10 minutes, slept in his crib at nap time for 45 minutes and then passed out at 3:45 pm until we woke him up at 5:15. Fortunately, the crankies melted away with the evening smoothie and Mr. Lovebug emerged once again. So many kisses and hugs in the past 24 hours - what is he aiming at?
Maybe it's the romantic view from our home...
(OK, probably not, we just wanted to throw that in.)
February 25, 2006
This morning Simon took an introductory class at Little Gym (an indoor gymnastics studio specializing in babies and toddlers). He didn't participate in the class because he was too busy running around the room and jumping on the bouncy board and falling on the big soft mats. Unfortunately, Little Gym is a little too expensive for our someday-we-want-Simon-to-go-to-college comfort level so we're still on the hunt for a Mama and Simon physical indoor Saturday morning activity. Joining our local YMCA and returning to swimming is looking like the best bet; perhaps we'll put that on the calendar for later in the week...
February 22, 2006
Unfortunately, some new personality traits have recently begun to assert themselves: Stubborn. Willfull. Frustrated. Cranky. Opinionated.
At most meals, Simon refuses to sit in a highchair or a booster seat (we usually force him). He cries if we break up his cereal bar for him, slice his fruit, or string his cheese (up until a week ago he wouldn't eat if we didn't). He wants to drink from a glass (not a sippy cup or a plastic cup or a cup with a straw) only the glass must be full and he must be allowed to hold it himself and, sometimes, pour it himself (an ongoing battle). He flails about when it is time to change his diaper. He doesn't want his clothes on; he doesn't want his clothes off. God save you if you listen to NPR instead of music or if he finds vegetables hiding in his mac and cheese. He no longer wants to eat things we've prepared especially for him but he also won't eat most "adult" food. We used to prepare his snacks and bring them to him, now we have to ask:
"Do you want this?"
"No."
"This?"
"No."
"This?"
"No."
Brushing his teeth (never a favorite activity) is akin to toddler torture. And you just try to stop him from jumping on our bed. Go ahead. We double dog DARE you.
February 21, 2006
In order to get to the correct Metra line, Hava initially got up REALLY early and took the L to Union Station which is the opposite direction from her target. To save Hava almost an hour each way, Matthew drove Hava to and from the closest Metra station yesterday and today requiring ALL of us to get up early. Being placed in the car first thing in the morning is very confusing for Simon - so confusing that he doesn't have time to think to complain. Unfortunately, we recently learned that the Prius doesn't create warmth until it is on the move so Simon might also be suffering from early morning brain freeze.
In any case, no more Libertyville for two more weeks and we Kagles couldn't be happier.
February 19, 2006
The weekend started out with the not-so-fabulous high of FIVE DEGREES. We ran errands (and we literally ran from car to store to car) and it was uncomfortable (to say the least). But, after lunch (where Hava finally gave up on ordering anything claiming to be "southwest" or "mexican" while in the midwest), Simon took a 3.5 hour nap giving his parents enough time to goof off indoors and plan fun for the evening. But what is open (and indoors) for toddlers after 5 pm? We found one place, Navy Pier with an amazing Children's Museum. Simon was so interested in everything that we managed to see only a small percentage of the place before dragging him off to eat. (Our boy had such a good time he forgot about food and THAT doesn't happen very often.)
Lucky for him, we found a place in Navy Pier with a live jazz band. Simon couldn't have been more thrilled. He bounced, he clapped, he walked his Dad over to the stage and tried to get up to see the band. Simon Lucas was a groupie and we realized just how much he loves music (the constant singing wasn't quite enough).
Today we drove Simon a few minutes to the Garfield Park Conservatory. As we walked from enormous room to enormous room we realized one thing we had been missing: how alive California smells, even in the middle of winter. The flower room was like being on our former neighbor's patio. The fern room was like being back in Hawaii. The Koi pond in the gigantic-plant room was just like the one Hava had while growing up in Sacramento. Simon, formerly known as "plant boy," was thrilled by the water and the greenery. He will be going back to this place soon - oh yes, he will.
Unfortunately, Simon refused to take his afternoon nap so the rest of the evening, even the few hours spent with his buddy Amelie, was spent in major-cranky-mode (a place we do our best to avoid). After babysitting Amelie and knowing Calvin as we did, we are now certain that we didn't end up with one of those "easy" babies. Silly? Yes. Adorable? Yes. Simply happy to calmly exist? Uh, no.
February 18, 2006
February 16, 2006
Later that evening we three decorated our yearly enormous heart shaped chocolate chip cookie. We gave a generous chunk of cookie with frosting to Simon. He licked off the white and red frosting, spit the chocolate and cookie bits onto the counter and ran over to the pantry where he grabbed a can of green beans, lifted it up and said "apples?" Despite having the wrong word, he ate almost the entire can. We've trained him well; leave the chocolate and cookies for Mom and Dad.
Twenty months means another Simon-with-the-Boppy update!
February 15, 2006
New things for Simon from month 19 to 20...
It seems as though he understands everything. He still hesitates to speak English (or French) until he is absolutely sure he has the right words. His preferred language remains Simonese. The most commonly uttered phrases out of Simon include...
"apples?" - I'd like to eat something sweet. Also used to describe salad.
"waters" - I'd like a beverage (was "wa wa" until last week).
"It's a boy!" - repeating what Mama has been saying for months, he yells this when he is fresh out of the tub
"It's a baby boy!" - used interchangeably with "It's a boy"
"oh, ok" - means yes
"no, no. not yet." - means no
"what's dat?" - what is that?
"all right!" - cool!
"hooray!" - when you're happy and you know it shout...
"oh wow" - that's new
"dat's hot" - That is hot.
"ahhh din" - I'm all done or you're all done.
"ah din?" - Again?
"uh oh" - Something is amiss...
He has memorized parts of his favorite books and pieces of his favorite songs. When he isn't talking he is singing only he doesn't know many of the words and he mixes up the tunes.
Here is what we mean (roll the tape)...
Simonese
Simon Singing ("I've Been Working on the Railroad" combined with "Frere Jacque")
February 14, 2006
- A Valentine by Steven
- A Rocket Commander Update of the Kagle Boys by Steven (top to bottom, left to right: Simon, Matthew, Jon, Andrew *NEW*, Bradley, Jeffrey)
Almost February 14, 2006
*Not to be judgmental or anything.] Simon says "Happy Valentine's Day" and we say "Welcome to the new site!" A short summary of January seems to be in order. Here is what you may have missed... Matthew and his father and Winslow drove to Chicago from Mountain View January 3 through January 7. Hava and her mother and Simon drove to Sacramento on January 4 (after the movers left) and Hava and Simon flew from Sacramento to Chicago on January 7 where they met Matthew's parents (aka the San Francisco Kagles) and Matthew. At seeing his Dad for the first time in almost five days Simon ran into his arms and asked him to bounce. (It wasn't the tear filled reception we had imagined but it was very Simonesque.) The SF Kagles and the Chicago Kagles stayed in a downtown Chicago hotel from January 7 through January 10. Hava started working for Motorola on January 9. On January 10, we took possession of our new home and, amazingly, on the morning of January 11, the moving truck arrived with all of our possessions intact. The SF Kagles were put to great use until their departure on January 20. Our Mountain View home went up for sale on January 13 and was sold in a bidding war one week later. The deal officially closes this Friday.
The most anticipated question... How did Simon take the move? Well, from the time we left Mountain View until January 25 Simon slept through the night TWICE (that's 21 days without uninterrupted sleep). As fate would have it, he started sleeping though the night regularly the same night Hava was up with food poisoning. (Oddly enough, since we arrived, all three of us have spent a night vomiting up a storm for completely unrelated reasons.) For the first two weeks, Simon was uncharacteristically clingy. After spending so much of his life refusing to say "Mama", he made up for it by asking for "Mama?" nearly non stop. When Mama wasn't home he wanted to be held by Daddy. But after two weeks were up, the insecurity curtain lifted and Simon became himself again.
After the SF Kagles left, Matthew was charged with the complicated task of entertaining Simon indoors 9 hours a day. We found a wonderful sitter for a few hours a day two days a week. She brings her fifteen month old daughter who Simon adores. On Mondays Simon and Matthew attend a playdate. On Fridays they are enrolled in a French class. Friday afternoons they ride the L into the loop and meet Mama for dinner before riding home together. There are several indoor play rooms which Simon and Matthew visit when they have extra time on their hands.
So far, Simon doesn't seem to mind the cold or that he has to be indoors most of the day. He isn't keen on bundling up but, we've recently learned, he is more than willing to wear a hat or mittens after a few minutes of exposure.
Hava walks to and from the L every morning and evening. She doesn't mind the cold a bit and has enjoyed every snowy moment (though there haven't been that many). She is enjoying her new job (though it is still a bit of an adjustment to be away from Simon and Matthew for ten hours every day).
Matthew finds the weather a bit inhibiting - it would be nice to play out in that enormous park across the street - but he is making due. The house feels enormous and Simon is much easier to entertain here than in the cramped Mountain View abode. He starts teaching again in April - two blocks from Hava's work.
All three of us desperately miss our friends in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Mountain View.
So where is that love we promised? Simon, our love, was given his Valentine a bit early this year. He is definitely in love...
And, how about Mama love?
