Liam is 21 months old

Liam turned 21 months old yesterday. He seems to be understanding a lot these days and is a little less head-strong, so I gathered my courage and took the kids to a local farmer's market while Todd was working. I've been reluctant to take them places with potential hazards by myself, feeling a little scarred by the airplane museum fiasco, as well as the women's museum. But everything went smoothly. Later Todd took the kids to the grocery store while I cleaned and got the house ready for friends coming over, and he had the same experience. Finally, FINALLY, wrangling two kids in public is getting more manageable.



Liam still prefers breakfast and lunch to dinner, but he's a pretty good eater in general, especially if AJS cooks. His favorite foods are pizza, spaghetti, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles, and cheerios. And donuts. After the farmer's market, we went to our favorite bakery and the owner gave the kids each six donut holes. Thea waited until we were home before eating hers, but Liam stuffed them all in his mouth at once, like a hamster.

Liam looks up to Thea and likes to do everything she does. Thea loves playing with her brother and will go looking for him so that he can be the baby horsie and she can be the mommy, or they take all the cushions off the couch and jump around. At bedtime, Thea always has to give him a kiss and a hug, part stalling tactic, part genuine affection.



Bedtime has been problematic for Liam lately. He resists going to sleep, so the bedtime process takes forever, and usually Todd can't even attempt to get him to bed because he'll wail relentlessly for me. It's exhausting for everyone, but especially me, because he's up several times a night and will only be quieted by Mama. ("Maaaa-maaaa-haaaaa!!!") I'll be glad when this phase is over.



Liam loves Tina, the family dog, and loves to give her treats. He yells "Nit, Nina!" ("Sit, Tina"; even I've started calling her "Nina" now), lets her take the treat right out of his hand, and then says "G'gir, Nina." He especially loves to play outside with her.



He's our beautiful, sweet, smart, funny, charming little boy.