Erika Bonham dot com

August 9, 2005

Ethan is just blowing me away lately.

First, I need to mention that he has his first tooth. Bottom left. Very sharp.

Second, he started clapping. It isn't a totally coordinated clap, but it is a clap nonetheless. We were sitting there on Saturday and it was as if he finally got it. We have been working on clapping for quite some time. I will clap my hands to a little song and then I will clap his hands to the same song (and if we are in a silly mood, I will then clap his feet as well). He would kind of hold his hands together as if he was going to pray, but until Saturday afternoon, no independent clapping had happened. It was so cool to watch him. It was as if was watching his little brain work and got to observe him learn to clap. He thought about it, he attempted it, his hands made contact, he smiled so proudly. It was so cool. And he has been clapping ever since.

Third, he has spoken his first word. It is "Bird." We were out on the grass playing over the weekend and there were birds flying all around and he was seriously watching them. He would spot them on a wire and stare at them and then watch them fly away. I told him they were birds and he said it clear as day "Bur." Since then, I have been pointing out every bird I see real or fake, and he says "Bur" (sometimes with a raspberry B at the front) every time. He is an avid bird watcher and when we are on our walks, he sits up so straight with such a serious face in his stroller with such a serious face, keeping watch for any bird that flies by. He looks up at the wires and at the sky. It is very cute and kind of funny. I would have thought his first word would be mommy or daddy or kitty. Guess he likes birds best.

♥