May Update

May has been a busy month. Lorenzo is now 18 months old. He's a little man in his own right with a developing vocabulary that consists of a dozen words: mamma, papa, dada, car, dog, didi, wah wah, poop, cracker, cacca, please, spoon, fork, milk, parco and a few other things no one understands. He is doing well, 34 inches tall (86 cm) and 27 pounds (12.2 kilos).

Veronica is doing well too. We took the kids to a little kid's concert and a week later she saw a cello and said 'cello.' She has an incredible memory for brands, stores, streets, restaurants, songs, all the important things in life. She sings well and knows more and more numbers and letters everyday. She begins preschool 2 times a week, for 3 hours in September. I am a bit nervous about it but think she will be fine. Potty training is going well, #1 is well under control but we are still really working on #2. Wish us luck!

We went to the zoo today with friends and after we got an ice cream treat. I really did not want to give Lorenzo his own ice cream cone but there was no compromising with him. He feels he is entitled to everything that Veronica gets. Discussing it with him is futile and usually ends up with a string of grunts as well as a lot of hand waving on his part. Here he is eating some raspberry gelato and she is having a chocolate cone.

In Kirkland, the crosswalks have signal flags that help folks cross the street. Both kids are in love with the flags and want to grab one whenever they can. Lorenzo grunts and grunts when he sees them until I get him one to hold.

Veronica looks frightened but she loved this carousal at the zoo. She used to be afraid of horses but now likes them quite a lot.

Lorenzo loved this horsey too. He was a bit afraid to hop on but once the merry-go-round started he was just fine.

I saw this cute double tricycle at a community center. Veronica was great at pedaling, even with a heavier and larger kid in the back. Maybe Babbo Natale will send one to the kids this Christmas.

Veronica instructs her brother on how to operate all the blinking lights on this little car. I must say both kids are really great at sharing. I have been implementing 'time outs' for both kids if they hit and grab. I think it is working b/c they actually share.