William - I had a special moment with you this week. I came home from work early so that Renata could go to get her social security card. You were having a hard time getting to sleep for your nap (as you've been resisting sleep like crazy lately). I went in upon request to "cuddle Mama". You tossed and turned and then stretched across me... before falling to sleep almost instantly. I'd counted on having a solid two hours at home to get some things done while you slept. Instead, I was pinned underneath you watching you breath and sleep peacefully. It took me back to the days where I was breastfeeding you and you'd pass out after a good feed. At the time, I always was a little frustrated as there seemed to be so many things I needed to get done. On this day, I simply relaxed and realized how special it was to have this opportunity with you once again.
You only slept for 45 minutes, and I spent the time thing about how much you've grown up over the past few months. In September - when we moved into temporary housing in London - you started sleeping in a "big boy bed". We'd moved your crib in, but one day you simply wanted to take your nap in the double bed in the same room. We put about 10 pillows out around the bed, and of course you never fell out (but we worried every night for a week that you would). Within just a week, you were sleeping soundly in that bed for both your nap and at night. You are also completely toilet trained, probably as of October. In our second temporary house in South Kensington you had probably two accidents a week at night, but in the month we've been in Raleigh, I can think of only two total times.
Your vocabulary has exploded and you constantly make me laugh at all the funny things that you pick up and say. "William needs just a little bit more" or "That sounds gooooood!" or today when having lunch with some friends you said "Mama, stop talking!" so that you could ask for more food. Yesterday you were trying to get my attention and made a "pssst, psst" sound. Your Daddy and I have used that since you were born to get your attention, or give you hints on where to find us during games of hide and seek. And you used it on me for the very first time. Renata speaks to you in Spanish, and although you still respond in English, you know exactly what she is saying. And you do throw in words here and there.. numbers, colors or even a "it's FRIO" when your milk is too cold.
Your tantrums seem to be fewer in number, but the constant negotiation never stops. "Mama, play train tracks, four minutes" or when I tell you one book before bed, you always ask for three... sometimes five. Everyone that sees you around North Hills is totally wowed by your ability to ride your scooter (hate to tell you - but you were a pretty average scooter rider in London - but you are a star here in Raleigh where not all kids have one and use it to get around daily!). I love watching you push long strides and lean one way or another to take sharp corners with grace. Your favorite color is purple, and you about lost your mind our last week in London when after weeks of looking, you finally found a purple cab to take a ride in.
Lately, we talk a lot about dreams and make up stories about what Minnie, Woof-Woof and Jack-Bear dream about each night. Your favorite is that you get on a purple airplane with the three of them (no Mama, no Daddy) and go to Thailand, packing your Owl backpack with our bathing suit, sunglasses and a towel, and find a beach with white sand, turquoise water and massages. You love trains, fire engines, outdoor Christmas lights, puzzles, putting anything in order, spanish books and helping make pancakes on weekend mornings. You are a very sweet and loving boy, who still loves to cuddle and gives amazing tight squeeze hugs. Lately, you hate going to bed and having your hair washed, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed this is just a stage.
Just today, I took you to see your very first movie - Happy Feet 2. You sat in my lap for the first hour, dancing, clapping and laughing out loud... sometimes jumping with your heart racing when it got a little scary. You loved the popcorn and were very upset when you figured out we actually had to leave the theater after the movie was over.
You are growing up incredibly fast, and I'm trying so very hard to appreciate and cherish every day that passes. I love you more each day.
