The baby in the mirror again

About two years ago, I wrote this post about Orla recognising herself in the mirror. (And I was correct about Orla's handedness. My pick for Ewan - another right-hander).

Yesterday, I think for the first time, Ewan seemed to see that the baby in the mirror was himself. He's 16 months old. Only a few days ago, I saw that he had a sticker in the middle of his forehead. When I put him in front of the mirror, he didn't seem to realise that the reflection was his own. While he was certainly interested in this baby in front of him, he didn't touch his forehead or show any sign that he knew it was himself.

I don't have a good photo of yesterday's moment, but Ewan was wearing rabbit ears, and when Brendon lifted him up so he could have a look he seemed to give a wee jolt, then he reached up and touched the ears. He smiled, looked, touched and gave every indication that he was enjoying the joke and realised that this was indeed his own reflection.

In general, Ewan's cognitive development is pressing forwards. He understands more and more of what we say. Out at the washing line today, I said (in response to pulls on my leg) "OK, I'll go and get the sling in a moment". Off he toddled, reappearing at the door with my sling in his hand. To do this, he would have had to have understood what I said, remembered the sling, remembered where it was, known that he could get it, got back inside remembering what he was doing and why, and made it out again. He will respond to questions with nods or shakes of the head. He is naively honest ("Ewan, did you do this?" Careful nods. ) He knows what he is allowed and not allowed - he will stand at the computer with his hand on the mouse, looking at me and smiling. Not doing anything, but just letting me know that there he is, touching the untouchable!

He knows the household routines and will scramble up onto the bathroom stool to get his teeth brushed, along with the bigger kids. A few nights ago, Orla headed to the bathroom for her turn. I didn't realise, but the stool had been brought out into the kitchen. Ewan knew, and he knew it was needed. In he came to the bathroom carrying the stool for his sister, just as Orla was about to complain about its absence.

He seems to be able to open anything and climb anywhere. He has broken his first plate.

He is speaking single words here and there, but it is more his comprehension that seems to be advancing.

I foresee busy times ahead!!

Timber!

We needed to see some more of that fleeting winter sun, so:

First cuts....

















Spectators.


















Umm....where did those children go?
















Oh there they are!

















Second trunk

















Timber!

















Aidan comes running

















Never too young to wield your own hatchet.

Toddler dancing is so cute

Ewan loves to dance. He has three moves:

The double arm - swing your arms out then in, out then in at the same time
The single arm - punch the air
Twist and turn - turn round and round and round until you fall over.

Every now and then he claps his hands.

We have some cute videos of him doing his thing.

I always find it amazing how the very young respond so naturally and so intensely to music - like it just connects with something inside them.

Ewan busts out his moves whenever he hears music - sometimes just a discreet single arm punch (or two) as we pass a shop with music playing, sometimes a more extended response.

I remember Aidan in particular being a keen toddler-dancer. I think his favourite move was the jiggle - bopping up and down on the spot in a sort of half-squat.