Arthur had to say goodbye to the twins this past week.  For two days after they left, he kept going into their room.  He definitely misses them.

Likes: Cake and ice cream (just a bit, but he loved it); slides and swings; crawling in grass (and sometimes eating it)

Dislikes: Bedtime (still an issue); bread; when mom leaves (or so I'm told)

Sleeping: Still not in a good place.  He goes down anytime from 8pm to 10pm and still wakes at least once during the night.  Waking time is usually 7am.  Nap times are a joke.  Sometimes I get a good 1 1/2 hour nap from him and other times it's 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there.  I'm afraid that we are going have to start sleep training soon.  And after he was such a good sleeper early on!

Eating: This is one area that we have yet to encounter a problem.  He loves almost everything he's tried (except bread, weird kid!).  He eats a healthy amount at meal times.  Right now we're working on him telling us when he's done...

Playing: So much development lately!  He's learned out to operate a few of his toys (especially his racecar).  He rolls the ball to mom and sometimes even throws it.  He's figured out how much fun swings and slides are.  I help of course, but he loves sliding down.  He also loves anything that makes music.  His tambourine and maraca are current faves.  Today, we're heading out to the splash park.  I can't wait to see what he does there...

Medical Milestones: 

• Showing a preference for specific toys. books, lovies, etc. -- Check!  He has favorite toys (maraca, race car, yellow ball) and an attachment to his two blankets.  He doesn't seem to care about any specific stuffed animal, but he has grabbed his stuffed turtle a few times lately.  No favorite books yet, but he's starting to sit still for storytime.
• Sitting down from a standing position -- Check!  He's getting much more coordinated with his movements lately.
• Waving -- Not yet.  He loves throwing his arms up when we do, but no actual waving yet.
• Experimenting with volume -- Check!  He loves to vary his volume when "talking" to me.
• Biting phase -- Check!  Although I think we are coming out of it.  He was biting when the top teeth were not quite through the gums yet.  He stopped as soon as those popped through this week.

Schedule:Still nothing set...

Out and About: This week was crazy!  We had so many activities!

• Lots of errands to get the boys prepped to head back
• Playdate at Mariposa Park (swing and slide pics)
• Out to eat at multiple places (Gumba's, Panera, Boudin, Tutti Frutti)
• Doctor appointment
• Day Out with Thomas at Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton (near Santa Cruz) -- much better than the event we used to go to in Indiana; will definitely go next year
• Penny and Charlotte's birthday party