http://souzek.com/ivan/ Ivan Joseph Souzek en-us lincoln@souzek.com 2008-09-15T21:14:34-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2008_09_15_two_point_five.php 2236@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2008-09-15T21:14:34-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2008_08_16_fulfilling_his_duties_as_the_annoying_younger_brother.php This is a daily conversation at lunch. Daily, without fail. (Lunch is almost over) Ivan looks at Veronika and says: I! Have! A tummyHACHE! Veronika: No, it's tummy ACHE, not H-ache. Ivan: Tummy... HACHE! Veronika: No, tummy ACHE Ivan: TummyHACHE, HACHE, HACHE! Veronika: Ivan! Who's right, me or you? Ivan: ME! Veronika: NO! Me! Ivan: Me! Veronika: No! Me! etc.... 2196@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2008-08-16T11:08:20-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2008_06_25_things_i_shouldve_written_months_ago.php Where do I start? This kid's personality has exploded, literally. He is so different than Veronika was at this stage, he completely surprises me. Ever since he decided to talk (a few weeks before his second birthday) he has been building his vocabulary at an incredible speed. He talks and talks and talks. He repeats himself a lot, granted, but his mouth is his number one organ at this point. Unlike Veronika he mispronounces a lot, meaning he talks like you imagine a two-year-old would. Rs and Ls are Ys and he skips consonants because they are hard to say. For basket ball he'll say something that sounds like "back-a-ball". When you tell him "backaball" back he looks at you all serious and says: "NO. NOT backaball, BACK A BALL!" It's hilarious. Speaking of laughing, Ivan loves to make jokes. He is too young to really set it up very well, but he knows when to say something that totally doesn't fit and then starts to giggle... as if to say, I made a joke, did you notice? And after he's done giggling, he makes this smiley nostalgic face and says "Ivan funny!". As if to say: "Oh yes, I remember good old Ivan and his excellent sense of humor!" He loves to say "no way!" and "oh my gosh" - which he recently changed from "oh my god". I don't know where he picked up either and also who taught him the PG version of OMG, I'm suspecting the babysitter, but really who knows with Ivan? Another important thing is "by self!" (by myself), which is the standard phrase for two-year-olds and he uses it abundantly, so much that Veronika has occasionally picked it up herself. Ivan will also pick up phrases from his TV shows and use them randomly, just trying it out to see if something funny could come of it. Unchanged is still his sweetness and need to hug and kiss and give sweet and touching looks. If I sit next to him during dinner, we have to interrupt the meal several times for "big huggy" where we spend a few seconds locked in an embrace. Just so. I also still put him down for a nap this way. We read a book, he drinks his milk and then he falls asleep facing me, with his face literally half an inch away from mine, and his left arm on my shoulder and my right arm on his shoulder. Every day, without fail. Big huggy. Veronika would've never in a million years fallen asleep like this. It would've been too distracting. I'm probably more like her in that respect. I couldn't even sleep with teddy bears (although I tried repeatedly as a child, it just seemed like such a nice thing to do). It was too much to think about, I never knew what to do with this bear, holding it was keeping me awake. Not much has changed, but now I have a live little bear to hold while HE falls asleep. Much better version of the arrangement, trust me. I've also noticed him to be less stubborn than his sister and I'm not qualifying this as good or bad, but I've just noticed that usually I can take disciplinary measures down a notch, because he will give in much faster than she used to. I don't mind this, especially because his personality at the same time does not seem less forceful than hers. Tantrums are getting more frequent which is to be expected at this age and he can compete with the best as far as volume and strength is concerned. He is still hopelessly in love with balls and the respective sports. Baseball seems to be a tad more important than the rest. When we go outside he loves to kick the ball and he is really good at it for a two-year-old. He never misses and 90% of the time the ball goes exactly where he wanted it to go. Once he gets tired of this he will go look for something that qualifies as a bat (if there is no "real" bat available) and attempt to play baseball with the soccerball. Occasionally he will carry a ball or two around just for fun (or comfort). Those are his favorite items. He is still hardly interested in vehicles of any kind. Ivan also loves to dance. He has his own special (hilarious) moves, that are not very graceful, but he performs them with such passion that you will be amazed regardless. There is lots of kicking and turning and the occasionaly pose copied from Veronika's skilled ballet interpretations. The most imporant part is still his focused and serious expression, which stays on until the end of the performance. Potty training has been going very well. He insists on stripping from the waist down every time, which is terribly annoying as I either had the pregnant belly or now a baby in a carrier attached to me. If I try to dissuade him, he screams and this is a battle I'm not willing to fight right now. He is still reluctant to poop and prefers to wait until he has diapers on for that (nap and nighttime). I'm not sure what the problem is, although I know it's normal behavior for a toddler. Well, what is NOT normal for a toddler? I guess he'll get there on his own time. Ivan absolutely adores Nikola. He always wants to see him and lie by him and is in his face all the time. Literally in his face. We'll be lucky if the baby doesn't end up cross-eyed. He calls him "Nikiya" - with this super high sweet voice. It's very endearing. Especially knowing that at some point he will probably smack him with the same gusto. It's what brothers have to do, I'm told. I'm still a little nervous about raising boys, but so far Ivan has been by far better than any possible version of "having a son" I could've come up with. I can't wait for things to come. 2118@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2008-06-25T11:02:17-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2008_04_18_pee_in_the_potty.php First day of random potty training resulted in... four successful liquid desposits! FOUR. I credit Ivan's enthusiastic personality and his love for M&Ms. More information in a few weeks, when I'll be able to tell if this was a fluke or the beginning of end of diapers. 2052@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2008-04-18T21:02:59-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2008_03_03_on_the_brink_of_two.php As he approaches his second birthday, Ivan is changing at an accelerating pace and my memories of his previous phases are quickly deteriorating. Before I forget his second year entirely, here's what's been going on: - About six months ago, Ivan was really into puzzles and reading, to the point that he would want to play/read for over an hour and "express his disappointment" if you didn't have the patience or stamina to keep up. He didn't respond or interact that much but looking back on it now, it seems like he was thirsty for information to absorb and process but held back until he he was better equipped to respond. - Ivan loves his private parts! He discovered them about four months ago and learned their names ("Pee-PEE! Po-PO!") and how to point them out. After that he also enjoyed spending more time running around naked and for a while there, every diaper change was an enthusiastic presentation of his anatomy. - Around the 22-month mark, Ivan began to communicate in earnest and has been a blast ever since. He had a vocabulary of about five words for months but in the last few weeks it has been increasing exponentially. New favorite words include suppe (for his favorite food), kakao (for his favorite drink), Elmo ("EH-mo," for his favorite Sesame Street resident) and bitte. His demeanor seems to have adapted to his newfound means of expression, so generally he's more outgoing, curious and willing to try new things than ever before. When he doesn't know how to express something, he'll try anyway, with a combination of a few words, hand gestures, facial expressions and a lot of enthusiasm. For example, after he went sledding for the first time two weeks ago (which he loved, even/especially the wipeouts), he regaled us with minute-long accounts of our adventures, going something like this: (pointing out the window to the sledding hill, nodding head) "Nana (his word for Ivan), Papa....Nana, Papa, Noni....Nana, Noni, Papa...." (making a sled with his hand and simulating it going down a hill with sound effects) "Brrrrrrrrrrrrr..... (crash noise)" (again, to reiterate, nodding head) "Nana, Papa....gaga, gaga, gaga... Nana, Papa" Another of his communication combinations that we're less thrilled to see is his signal for a full diaper: (patting butt, grossed-out look on his face) "Blechhhh...." - Ivan loves to do things now and tries to do everything by himself. He will also volunteer to do anything if you ask right. "Who wants to take a bath?" "Meeeee!!" "Who wants to clean out the garage?" "Meeee!!" This response is always accompanied by a wide smile and a raised hand, a response undoubtedly learned from his faithful teacher Veronika. He also knows his routines and is excited when he knows what to do next and how he can help, by fetching a stool (to make cocoa or brush his teeth) or turning out the lights (for the clean-up time song). - Ivan is great at pretending now, including endless pretend scenarios with his sister such as being babies (needing milk, pretend crying while rubbing his eyes), cats (lots of meowing) and dogs (barking, fetching a ball in his mouth). He's also becoming quite the joker and enjoys telling me "Nooooo" when I'm pulling his leg. In summary, Ivan is exploding into a totally awesome toddler, engaged with everything around him, learning in leaps and bounds, and willing to try anything. It's so much fun to be with him at this age and it's exciting to think about what's next. 2000@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2008-03-03T23:45:05-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2007_12_05_oh_ivan_my_love.php MMmmmaammmaaa... maaaaammmaaa.... This sound is permanently etched in my mind. I hear it when it's there, I hear it when it's not there. Ivan loves his mother with passion, with a deep ache in his heart that makes itself known in long or short or high or low whiiines throughout the day (and sometimes the night). It's sweet to a degree and after that it's just plain annoying. I realize he will stop doing this one day, mostly when he will have to face the ridicule of his school friends, so that hope sort of keeps me going when I think I need to throw him out the window. Although somehow I think he would still be calling me and no wall could drown it out, ever. His dedication is just that thick. Like my other child, Ivan is quite strong-willed. We have a lot of conflict over food: He usually refuses to eat (except over his favorites: cottage cheese, hummus, shredded cheese - although he has recently graduated to slices, baka's strudel and chocolate in almost any form). Then we physically have to stuff a bite in his mouth, which he is furious about, but at least half the time, after he is done crying he will ask for more, because his hunger is stronger than pride and the fact is, it is delicious after all... I hate having to force him, but the success speaks for itself and besides, he needs to eat. Even if not for eating itself, he saves a lot of his energy for meal time. All the boyish traits are out: swinging on his chair, kicking something (me) with his foot, putting his feet on the table, playing with his placemat (this one drives me crazy: it's a plastic mat and he swishes it left and right, left and right and all the utensils, plates or food in its way crash to the floor), banging his food, throwing his food. There is no anger in it, just some type of impulse.... "must move when restrained!" Every entry I find myself going back to writing about his truly sweet nature. I remember I felt it when he was born, it's really something. He is helpless when overcome by his love for someone and just let's his whole face shine with it.. and of course there are lots of kisses and hugs and angelic smiles. When his emotions take over his whole being stops and he just lets it all show. Reminds me of his father that way. Ivan is a devoted brother. He still only uses a few words (mama, papa, noni, dibby, ball, nane (=banana), schaun (=watch), baum (=tannenbaum), bu(ssi)) but Noni is probably right up there with mama. When he says Noni it almost sounds like Nuni and Veronika has really taken to that and will call herself Nuni when talking to him. It's like she feels honored by the special pronunciation. In the morning Veronika or me make cocoa and then he takes the sippy cups and hands one to her and they both lie down parallel on the couch and drink it in silence. It's really something to behold... the quiet alliance, the safety in the habit. He plays his role faithfully: On one hand he is the committed follower, what Veronika suggests or does, he will do as well. He will repeat every silly sound and do what she says in role play. On the other hand he will take her things and run away with them, he will scream on top of his lungs while trying to tear something from her hands. He will annoy her and destroy her things and walk away with a triumphant, slightly guilty face. It's just how it is, how it has to be, it's the law of "little-annoying-brother"-hood. 1881@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2007-12-05T11:28:21-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2007_06_10_lazy_fathers_development_notebook.php 1679@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2007-06-10T00:18:00-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2007_04_23_13_months_and_the_world_is_his.php Let's get the facts out of the way: At one year Ivan is: - 30" (76.2 cm) tall - weighs 19 lbs 15 oz (9 kg) - has 4 teeth (two just emerging) - LOVES all fruit, including chocolate - has stinky feet He doesn't talk really, but can say mama, papa and nein (no). Why "nein"? Just keep reading. He also signs a few things, mostly "sleepy time" which he does by hitting his head with his hand. Originally this was meant to be leaning his head against the palm of his hand, but he modified it to his own liking. He signs "eating" by putting three fingers to his mouth and then ocasionally he will sign "drinking" by putting his thumb to his mouth and also "more" by putting a few fingers from his right hand on his left-hand palm. I am planning on filming this as proof for the future but haven't had the opportunity yet. It's really amazing to me that he can do all this, even though the books said he would and it is a very common thing these days, but still... Today at the grocery store I found a box of ladyfingers and he saw it, grabbed it, then looked at me and made the "eating" sign. I was so proud and shocked... I was having a successful exchange with a thirteen-month-old! I'm still figuring Ivan out. Not just because of his age, but because he is so different from Veronika. I'm trying to compare him to all the typical boy behavior I have heard about, just because I'm curious what boys are like and if I'm doing a good job here. But of course, I will never know that later part until he is 18 and throws it all into my face. Anyway, in what ways is Ivan a boy? The climbing ways for example. He tries to climb on everything. Obviously the stairs (which he can do quite easily), then the bed, then the headboard (then he cries for help), then whatever other thing that could be interpreted as a stool (like piano bench, for example). He loves to open and close things (DVD cabinet with glass doors), push buttons (entertainment center), throw things off from wherever they are (full boxes of toys, dishes on the shelves), but most of all he likes to spread objects all over and everywhere. There is always a bunch of things on the floor. And when he is done with that task he whines, because he is bored and wants the really interesting things like the phone, the computer mouse, the alarm clock, the... Are you still wondering why he mastered the word "nein"? Yes? Turns out this time around I am privileged to have one of those toddlers that like to play with the toilet and toilet related things. If we are not careful and happen to leave the toilet cover up, he will swish his hands in it immediately. Has it happened that he swished his hand in it when the toilet was not flushed? Guess. Luckily he hasn't figured out yet, how to lift the cover (it is a matter of minutes I believe until his brain is ready to give his hands the right command to do this), so if there is nothing to be done with the toilet, he will turn around and start pulling the toilet paper. At first it was to see how much paper there was on a roll (A LOT), but now it is more to turn the sheets of paper into tiny little pieces, always tinier and tinier... ever so tiniest. Then those little toilet paper pieces will accompany him wherever he goes, leaving a decorative trail on the carpet. This is one side of Ivan. The other side, that makes all of this bearable is his cuddly, snuggly self. Even when he was really tiny, he had this sweet and tender thing about him, but now he can express it and I am completely taken by it. (Caution, cutesy and saccharine mom talk ahead!) He loves to give kisses and often will come over by himself and plant a kiss on your cheek or your mouth or your knee or hand and then smile at you and go back to his business. When he hasn't seen me in a while he will reach for me and put his head on my shoulder and stay like that for 5 minutes or longer. He prefers to fall asleep while I'm still in the room (very entertaining for me...), even better if I'm touching him (- which only confused and roused Veronika). Sometimes when he sits in his high chair during a meal he will lean towards me and then we have to hug and cuddle and he will make these "ahmmmm" sounds. I'm just surprised how much he likes to show affection. It's such a nice thing to be hugged and kissed like that, especially when you think you cannot pick up one more piece of toilet paper off the floor in your life, ever. (Yeah, yeah I could keep the bathroom door closed, I realize that, but what would I write about then?!) I'm both scared and excited of what is coming. The time between 1 and 2 is a very difficult but then again also a very cute phase. Toddlers are these babyish people, you just want to cuddle, but then they are also capable of everything, while not being able to communicate. I just hope I can keep him alive through all his stunts and also you know, stay sane myself in the meantime. 1616@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2007-04-23T16:21:19-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2007_01_11_a_new_dawn_is_coming_maybe.php We've had a series of firsts. The walking of course, then he sprouted a tiny ridge on his lower jaw: his first tooth came through, then there was a lot of fever and a heavy cough (nothing major, very "common" cold, still quite upsetting), then he learned how to wave - well, it's more a regal elevating of the hand at the right moment and - he may be, possibly, - I don't want to jinx it - on his way of learning to sleep through the night! I like nine months. So many things come together, there is even less crying than before and communication starts, even if sparse. Ivan seems right on track with all his developments, maybe a little ahead on the walking part. At his check up he was 18 lbs/8.1 kg (15th percentile) and 29 7/8 inches/75.8 cm (70th percentile). He only gained one pound in three months, which is a little confusing to me as Noni used to be a chunk and I'm not feeding him any less, but he is obviously developing well so I'm not concerned - neither was the doctor. He said it's genetics. He'll just be a skinny tall guy, and who doesn't like that? Remember Jimmy Stewart? Wasn't he adorable? So there. We went on vacation over New Year's and his sleeping was less than stellar. It was... less. He almost went home with the grandparents, he was this close. When we got home the cough he had gotten from Veronika got worse and he spiked a high fever, just when I was determined to teach him how to stay asleep. He had cried so much that night and I was trying to be firm, so when I noticed the fever I felt pretty bad. But then again, it was 3 am and we both had barely slept, how alert can I be? We went to the doctor, who declared it was viral and to give lots of Tylenol. So I did, but at the next appointment they found an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics which I could give him if I wanted to I was told. After 3 days of fever I wanted to. I gave him one dose and he took a nap and after that it was all gone. Now, why am I being so detailed? Because before all that I gave him a lot of Tylenol Flu which has antihistamine in it and puts him right out, so he wasn't waking up much at night what from the drug and the fever. It was nice, I can't lie... and secretly I was hoping maybe that Tylenol would teach my kid how to sleep, because all he needs is to get into a routine (the doctor said!), so his brain sticks with it. Well, I stopped the Tylenol when he got better because I do have a conscience, but oh, miracle of miracles, I would put him to sleep and sometimes he would fuss and cry but not for long... The last few days he cried and went back to sleep with barely any help and last night... last night! He woke up 3 times total during the entire night and every time went back to sleep on his own, I didn't even move a finger or said a word. I did not leave my bed all night! I didn't even nurse him that one last feeding at 10 pm. This is a big deal. We've tried so many things (nightweaning, having Lincoln pick him up instead of me, not picking up, holding hands, feeding, not feeding...) and I know that ultimately age is what really makes a difference, but really, 9 months is a long long time to be chronically sleep deprived. I'm not talking waking up once or twice a night, but 3, 4, 5 times and each time being up from 10 - 20 minutes to 45, 60 or 90 minutes. I don't want to jinx it, but sleeping through the night would be the best 9-month-gift to me ever. Did you hear that, son? 1498@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2007-01-11T22:41:19-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2007_01_04_month_9_he_is_walking.php I give him a couple of more weeks and he will not reach for my hand anymore when he wants to walk across the room. Right now he coasts along furniture and will take a few independent steps towards me or papa. It's so cute to see him get excited about it. 1474@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2007-01-04T16:18:47-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2006_12_06_i_never_sleep_cause_sleep_is_the_cousin_of_death.php 1430@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2006-12-06T22:34:19-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2006_11_22_no_wonder_im_on_my_third_cold_in_6_weeks.php Things Ivan learned how to do in the last week: - "crawl" - It's some type of army crawl, where he scoots along the floor using his arms and pulling his body. - say "mama" - It's more like maaaa maaaa but he's said it several times in appropriate moments (to get my attention of course). - clap his hands - This one baka told him and he only does it randomly. I suppose he recognizes it but can't really do it every time he wants to. - eat cheerios Things Ivan continues to not learn how to do: - stay asleep at night. 1411@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2006-11-22T07:31:51-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2006_11_06_6_and_7month_update.php At his 6-month-appointment Ivan was 16lbs 10 oz and 27.5 inches. He is a pound lighter than Veronika was at that time, but one inch longer. Still a tall one. He's started to eat solids, cereal, sweet potatoes, bananas... the usual fare. He wasn't very impressed at first, but now, he is totally into it. He gets so excited about food he bounces in his seat and shakes his arms and pumps his legs - it's quite hard to actually put a spoon in his mouth. He also loves to chew on bread and pizza crusts, which keeps him happy for more than 5 minutes, which again I'm very grateful for because he has so many reasons to be cranky. For starters he is only 7 months old, then he can't walk, he can't even crawl, his mother doesn't know what he wants at every minute of the day, she sometimes leaves the room (!) and does not hold him all the time... the list goes on and on. You can see his life is complicated. His love for standing has turned into obsession for walking. Unlike Veronika who had to be taught how to put one foot in front of another, he seems to have learned that in the womb. Whether he's lying down or sitting, as soon as you grab his hands, he turns into a flat unbendable piece of body, because no matter what you had in mind HE is walking, thankyouverymuch. Yeah, my back hurts. Other favorite pastimes are chewing on paper, playing with real objects and Veronika's car. All other toys last about a minute. The sleeping... has not really improved. For a while I tried letting him cry in little spurts because he woke up so much at night and I was getting little sleep with him in bed, but we gave that up, because while it worked initially he ended up in these fits and was generally much quicker to whine and cry during the day as well. So we concluded it was too much stress on him and went back to just soothing him back to sleep. My hope is now that he will get older QUICK and just learn how to stay asleep. He's still a fairly good napper. The other day Lincoln gave him a bottle of formula while I was a work because I haven't had time to pump much lately - after some initial doubts, he drank the whole thing! My favorite thing is still his smile. He is so happy to talk to us or just watch Veronika's antics. His face splits up into cute lips, dimples and cushy cheeks. Add to that his funny hair sticking up in the air and he is irresistible. 1374@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2006-11-06T21:55:27-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2006_09_08_4_and_5month_update.php At his 4-month-doctor's-appointment Ivan weighed 15lbs 1oz (6.8 kg) and was 26 3/4 inches (68 cm) long. He was in the 55 percentile for weight and 95 percentile for height. Basically, he is tall. I have to say I'm not sure they measured him right, because he was wiggling so much that by the time the nurse grabbed his foot, he had scooted down a bit. Well, who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if he was tall. I had expected him to weigh more as overall he seems bigger to me than Veronika was, but when I checked I saw she was actually several ounces heavier than him at that time. Everyone tells me Ivan is big for his age and I suppose he is, but he is more strong than chunky. He just seems like he is a little tough guy. But obviously that's just the body, otherwise he is a sweetheart. Still. He has the brightest smile and is generally in a good mood. I know all babies are sweet and stuff but while Veronika was always this charming bubbly thing, he exudes some kind of tender vibe and you just want to hug him. Veronika is still his big hero. He just can't get enough of her. It is such a joy to watch. She entertains him and brings him the pacifier and talks to him ("I'm coming, Ivan! Don't cry!") and kisses him A LOT. I'm not sure how comfortable he is with all the kissing but so far he hasn't complained much. He just tries to avoid the attack of Veronika's kissy lips. I am amazed at how eager he is to move. He rolls around a lot, grabs things, tries to sit up and has incredible energy to bounce - either in his exersaucer or my arms. He gets frustrated a lot, so I'm hoping crawling and sitting will bring him relief although I'm very nervous at the same time because nothing will be safe from his exploratory inclinations. I find myself very excited about his willingness to move, even though I initially dreaded the dealing with typically boyish infant behavior. Watch out, the next post will be me whining about all the moving. I've never posted about him starting to laugh because I had been waiting for that first clear sound of a belly laugh, but it just didn't happen this way. He sort of started to laugh around 3 months but it never really took off. Slowly here and there, mostly with Veronika tickling him or making funny faces he developed what can be called a laugh. Still, he has more of a shy laugh. It's almost as if he finds it all too endearing to really let go and laugh his heart out. Again with the sweetness. He is irresistible. I'm still trying to get his laugh on tape but it's been heard what with... I don't know, life. The only thing... sleeping. I never thought I'd say this as in the beginning his sleeping patterns were so promising, but at this point his sleeping is worse than Veronika's was at this time. She was committed to nursing 100% and it would always get her back to sleep immediately. Ivan accepts other forms of comfort (lying close to us, carrying, cuddling, the pacifier!), which is good on one hand, but on the other it means he will wake up and you won't know what he really wants and so by the time you've tried it all, half an hour, an hour will pass and you will be exhausted. He still likes to wake up at dawn (4, 5 or 6) and chat in his crib or if he happens to be in our bed, pull our noses, kick us etc. He doesn't do this every day, but always several days in a row, just so that his parents can experience all levels of despair. In the last week or so he also started waking up every 15-20 minutes from the time he is put down to sleep (between 7 and 8 pm) until about 10 or 11 pm. Unlike during the day he completely refuses anyone else besides me. He becomes absolutely furious if Lincoln tries to calm him down. That means that in the last few days my precious 1-2 hours of peace at night have been taken from me as well and even if I wanted to go to sleep earlier it wouldn't really be possible. I'm not sure how to deal with this, so for now I'm just waiting to see if it is a phase or if I'm going to try some sort of training. Interestingly he is a great napper. Nine times out of ten he will fall asleep by himself in the crib and stay asleep for at least an hour, usually two. Why he refuses to do that at night is beyond me. How this is possible I don't know either. The books claim if he learns to put himself to sleep he will not wake up much. It is not true. ALL wrong. Just ask Ivan. 1299@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2006-09-08T09:22:43-05:00 http://souzek.com/ivan/archives/2006_08_10_smiling_and_growing.php 1263@http://souzek.com/ivan/ Footnotes 2006-08-10T23:34:17-05:00