I’m cleaning up my first blogs that I kept while going to grad school.  Here are some keeper posts about the 2 year-old version of Neils:

January 13, 2004

Growing lots

Man, is Neils growing! Every day I look at him in amazement. His speech is getting so much clearing and he is able to express himself very well.

Today, I was home for lunch, and was just watching him talk about a book while sitting on Melissa’s lap. He was talking about the different pictures and using his imagination very well. My eyes got all wet just thinking about what a handsome, smart, and loving boy we have.

…and there’s more: 

January 21, 2004

he reads?

Today Neils pointed to something that had “MOM” written on it pretty big and said, “mother.” Melissa and I were shocked. We hesitate to assume that he read, but can’t think of any other reason he would have said that.

We have shown him the word “mom” many, many times, and I’m pretty sure that he does know that “Mom” and “Mother” are interchangeable, so it’s very likely.

February 06, 2004

He likes me!

I know that all kids love and like their parents, but sometimes we wonder. Especially with me being at school so much and being less moved by tears than Melissa, Neils clearly prefers her over me for comfort and to put him to bed.

However, I’ve been trying to play with him a little more and do more things with him.

Last night Melissa had Enrichment Night and took Neils to the nursery there so I could work on a project due today. When they came back, she told me that as soon as they got out the door Neils said, “Dad? Home?” and looked a bit concerned. Then when she was done and picked him up from the nursery he kept on earnestly saying, “Dad. Home. Dad. Home.”

It’s always nice to know that he loves me and likes to spend time with me.

February 09, 2004

He wants to drive already

Neils has always liked to sit in the front seat of the car, especially the driver’s side and play with the steering wheel and controls. It’s also not rare for him to cry when we remove him to the back seat. However, today on the way home from picking me up from school was extremely memorable.

As Melissa and I were talking in the front seats we heard Neils say, “Neils try? Neils try?”

“Neils try what?” Melissa asked, but Neils kept asking, “Neils try? Try?”

“What do you want to try?”

(pause for Neils to think a bit)

“Driving. Neils driving?” He then spent the next three minutes trying to convince us that he should. When we said that he couldn’t drive, he asked for the keys. Then he suggested that he get them when we stop. We told him that he was too short, but he retorted by saying he could use a pillow.

The language was limited, but the meaning and understanding were there.

Finally he stopped asking and is currently here at home driving his train along a play road.

February 23, 2004

The Family…according to Neils

Neils is usually eager to agree to the suggestion of getting a brother or sister. However, a couple of nights ago we asked him if he wanted a brother.

He said, “No brother.” A little taken back, we asked again, but he replied, “No, no brother.”

“Do you want a sister?” we tried.

“No sister.”

“You don’t want any brothers or sisters?”

“No.”

This seemed a bit strange to me, so I pressed further. “Should we keep Neils?”

“No Neils,” he said with a little bit of a smile.

“How about Big Dog?”

“No Big Dog?”

And so it continued with Mom, Dad, and perhaps a couple things more.

Funny boy

April 09, 2004

Of course

Neils’ new overly-used phrase is “of course.” When we ask him if he wants something or can do something or will he do something, he answers with “of course.”

For example:

“Neils, would you like some rice?” “Of course.”

“Can you take off your shirt?” “Of course.”

“Can you come with me, please?” “Of course.”