Cubby...The human tornado...

Wow...this kid has energy.

What a weekend. It seems that Cubby needs to spend every waking moment either trying to climb something, take something apart or just running in circles. When this boy gets tired, it gets worse. Sometimes he just runs and runs and runs in circles around the rooms of the house. Even just getting him to put clothes on is a wild chase that ends with wrestling him to the ground and pinning him down while we hurry to pull clothes on him. We make sure that we take him outside every day and play with him. I can't wait until next summer when he is allowed to be in sports.

Today while in the bath he took apart the drain, pulled it out of the tube and then took apart all the pieces. He also loves to untwist caps off things and can find the on/off button on any machine. He can turn a cell phone or computer off in 2 seconds flat and then runs off with a loud "ha, ha, ha". How can a child this destructive be so HAPPY ALL THE TIME!!! Another new trick is that he takes all his clothes off and his diaper off when he is in his bed, then he climbs out of bed and runs down the hallways. It is very hard for Derek and I not to laugh at him as we are putting him back in bed (after wrestling him into his clothes again). He still loves his Lambie (blanket) and it is the bribe that we can use to get him to do anything. Speaking of baths...he still loves the water. Now he has added a new trick. He can float. He taught himself in the bathtub. He lays down on the bottom of the tub (with the water over his face) and he inhales a big breath and floats right to the top of the tub. He still loves to sit under the "waterfall" (faucet) and let the water beat down on his head. I can leave him in the tub for an hour and he will play happily..before he figured out how to take the drain apart anyway.......

The talking is really coming along now. He is starting to mimic words now. He can say "ice" (his favorite thing), "apple juice" and "Lauren". There are lots more words that he copies. I can't believe how fast he is learning. He still "talks" all the time. He whispers, he preaches and he scolds us all day long. When he is in trouble he hangs his head and then talks in a really small scratchy voice and you can just TELL he is saying "I'm sorry". It is pretty cute. I have been trying to get it on video, but when he see's the camera he just wants to goof off.

Cubby still sleeps like a champ. He takes a really long nap each afternoon (4-5 hours) and sleeps all night. He wakes up happy as can be. He has a big appetite and will still eat just about anything. Lately his favorites are eggs, ketchup and newly discovered favorite...Mangos. When he is mad at us he will chew up his food and spit it out at us...we are working on that one. He LOVES Lulu and loves following her around. He will occasionally tackle her and tickle her and he gets into her things more then she would like, but on the whole...he is finally big enough for her to play with so she is very happy.

He is just the sweetest, happy go lucky boy ever. He grows like a weed. I need to take him to the dr. next month and see how much he weighs and how tall he is. It has been awhile since he had an appointment. Next week we are going to take a vacation to Southern California and go see some animals. Jacob loves the zoo and I am sure that will be his favorite part. I will have lots of pictures to show you then.

Hope you are well and that all goes well w/ the new baby.
Rebecca

Grrr.

This program has not been letting me add pictures. I have some more to post but it might take a few days.

I haven't posted for a few months. It has been really crazy. Partly I was hoping you would take an interest in Cubby and actually send a letter to the attorney with an update about your family. It hurts me that you won't do that. It will be very hard to explain to him why this is the case. I know you have lots of changes going on in your life and I wish that you wanted to share them with him. The minute you send an update I will send you a big package of pictures. Just let Larry know what your address is and they will forward the pictures. I think that for the sake of the other boys it would be best to do that. You have to be proactive in wanting to be a part of his life so that we know we can trust you will STAY a part of his life. He is old eonough to know who you are and we don't want him to bond with you and then have you disappear again. It will take work on both sides to repair this.

In other news, I went to Africa last month for a charity that I work with. I can't wait to take Cubby back there some day. It was an amazing trip, but Cubby was mad at me when I returned. He didn't like that I was gone and it took a few days for him to warm back up to me. He is talking all the time now. The real words are slowly coming. He can say "ball" "Lauren" "please" and "truck". He is mimicking things more and more too. It is very cute.

He has had a big growth spurt too. He is getting taller. His hands and feet are still enormous and seem too big for his body, but he is growing fast. He is very athletic. He can run and kick the soccer ball at the same time, he can throw a ball and swing a golf club. He loves to swim and can float all by himself already. He loves the water and loves to jump in and get his face wet. I hope I will be able to post the pictures soon.

We also wanted to let you know that we have a new sister. She was born July 21st and is doing just great. Jacob is really sweet with her and very gentle. He just whispers "hi" and waves at her. He loves to hold her bottle and pat her head. He is a good brother.

Hope to hear from you soon,
R