Catching You Up

What's up with Simon? Things. Lots of things. Let's see:

* He likes to kick a ball around the house while yelling "Goal!"

* He occasionally reaches down to touch his knee, then looks at me and yells "Knee!"

* He sings "la, la, la" along with Elmo in "Elmo's Song."

* He loves belly buttons. He touches one (his own or mom or dad's) and says "bee bee."

* I think he understands (but can't say) "penis." He learned this in the bath last night.

* He knows the word "breast," and he thinks it's funny.

* He knows the word "moon" and has said it a few times.

* He likes hiding then popping out and yelling "boo!"

* He's getting good at playing drums. Instead of hitting just one drum during a "jam session," he uses all the drums and cymbals. Well, not the bass drum--that's a separate "session," 'cause he has to stand or sit on the ground to reach it.

* He likes grabbing noses, especially mine. He says "no."

Last week in the doctor's waiting room there was an 11-month-old boy (I asked his mom) sitting in his stroller when Simon, Esthela, and I got there. Simon was fascinated. He walked over to the boy and smiled. The boy smiled back. Simon reached out his hand toward the boy and laughed. The boy also laughed. It was adorable to watch these little guys introducing themselves and "making friends." Usually it's Simon who approaches and does all the work, while the other little kid watches uneasily. Finally, a meeting of equals! These two guys giggled and stuff until the nurse called Simon into the examination room (aka "chamber of sadness").

Sidebar: Who are these children in strollers? How do they get there? Why do they not scream to be let free?