Update

Seamus is very excited for Christmas. It's really fun because it's the first year he's really understood. We saw Santa last week at Daddy's Holiday Market and Seamus was prepared:

Santa: What would you like for Christmas?
Seamus: Dora stuff and Diego stuff and Boots stuff and train stuff and baby doll stuff and book stuff...

He has made friends with all the Christmas tree ornaments. From the living room we often hear a little voice, "Are you okay?", "I'm okay", "You're my friend". It's not unusual to find a little ornament or two in his crib that he's brought up for a nap.

Seamus made his first snowman with Daddy. It was about a foot tall but he was so proud of it.




Jumping has become a new passion. He can now get air under his feet when he jumps which he finds very exciting so he must practice every chance he gets. Dancing is still one of his favorite hobbies too. He has a new book, Ted and Friends, which has a pig who does the jig so Seamus now jigs.

He spent another night in the hospital last weekend but he made the most of it. He had a really big room all to himself so there was lots of room for dancing and jumping (of course, after he was feeling better). While we were waiting to be discharged, the whole Coleman family shared a nice dance at Seamus' request. Mommy and Daddy had to dance holding hands while Seamus did a jig around us. The hospital staff kept walking past and laughing, but we couldn't care less. I'm going to hold onto that memory for a long time.

Well, it was only a matter of time. I was being very good at keeping up with the blog but I knew I couldn't keep it up for long.

Things have been hectic around here. Seamus had a very nice birthday party with lots of good friends. Mommy also celebrated her birthday, although a little quieter. We also have had some visitors, Uncle Rick and Grandpa. We were glad they could spend a few days with us.

There were a couple of hospital visits in the past few weeks, one for Mommy and one for Seamus. We're both doing okay although Seamus picked up a cold during his stay. A cold for him is a pretty big deal so we're watching it carefully.

The biggest thing we've been up to is getting the house ready for Ga and Pa. Seamus and I are flying up to Rochester this weekend and helping them with their big move down to Maryland. There has been lots of cleaning out basements and closets and creating art work in preparation. We are all very excited but a little concerned about the close quarters we'll be sharing until the new addition is built. It's going to be an adventure!

Happy Birthday to You!

My Darling Seamus-

Today you turn two, such a big boy, your age no longer measured in months but years.

This past year has been an exciting one. You are an absorbent little sponge and have learned so much. This year you've learned to walk, count, and say your A-B-C's. Also you've learned your colors, shapes and every instrument in the orchestra. You tell jokes and stories and sing all kinds of songs.

But more importantly, because of all that you've been through, you've learned compassion and empathy. When Mommy is upset about something, you let me know that things will be okay and are always ready with a gentle stroke for my cheek or a funny raspberry on my belly. You understand how Izzy feels when he goes to the vet and are especially gentle with him. Sometimes you look at me with so much love in your eyes, I literally can't breathe.

You are very stubborn and persistent, just like both Mommy and Daddy. That quality has served you well. Whether it's never giving up until you get a puzzle piece to fit, or dealing with your daily health issues, you're a fighter and I'm so proud of you.

I love you, my little porcupine. You are my bestest boy.
Love-
Mommy

Seamus is getting a real sense of humor. Certain things just strike him as hilarious. Like watching Mommy spit while she brushes her teeth or blowing raspberries on every part of Mommy and Daddy's body. The other day he kept repeating the phrase "I ate" and giggling like a madman. I think he put together that the word eight/ate has two different meanings. I love his laugh. He puts his whole heart into it and really means it.

The past two weekends, we've gone to two different music festivals and Seamus was the star of the show. At the Takoma Park Folk Festival, the drummer asked him to come up and play the bongo drums with him. He had a blast and continued to entertain the crowd with a few dance numbers. Saturday we went to the Johnny Appleseed Festival and again he thrilled the audience with some Bluegrass moves. He can't get enough music, any kind. He loves to sing, especially the Seamus song. Normally, when he sings he just belts it out but when he sings his song, he gets a very serious tone like he knows it deserves more respect.

I haven't been in the mood much lately to post. We've had a few hospital visits, one very upsetting one. But at least now we have the biopsy results from the endoscopy and it looks like Seamus has more severe food allergies. They already knew about the milk and soy so now we go back to the allergist next week and try to figure what else he could be allergic to. It's slow progress but at least we feel like we're moving forward finally.

Sweet

Seamus from the backseat of the car today: "Mommy and Daddy, I'm glad you're here."

Seamus, we're glad too.

Sesame Pix

We finally downloaded the pictures from Sesame Place. Here are a few and I'll post the link to the photo album of the others when I finally get to it.

Cows and Merry-Go-Rounds

We had a really nice weekend. James is back in school so Seamus and I had our own adventures while he studied.

On Saturday, we went to Wheaton Park where they have an old carousel and miniature train ride. He loves it there. Before going, he talked about the horses on the Merry-Go-Round but after seeing them up close, we ended up on the (non-moving) Sleigh. That up and down thing is pretty scary.

The train ride goes through the woods, over a bridge and through a tunnel so it's pretty exciting. The big kids scream in the tunnel which Seamus was not prepared for and ended up in tears, but he bounced right back as soon as we hit the playground. Apparently, that playground is way better than the one down the street from our house because that's all he would talk about the rest of the day.

We headed out to the Old Maryland Farm in Upper Marlboro on Sunday. We had prepared for it by talking about cows, pigs, and horses but it did not compare to the actual thing! The farm had all kinds of animals, enough to make a 2 year old squeal with delight, repeatedly. He fed the bunnies, chickens and horse and got to pet the sheep and goat. There were also turkeys, peacocks, cows, donkeys and even two llamas! Alas, there were no pigs, just an empty pen. But for some reason, Seamus thinks we saw piggies because he keeps talking about them. I'm not sure if it's because we saw pictures of them on the sign or he was using his imagination, like when he told me there were flying frogs outside the window last night.

They also have a carousel and train ride. Seamus wasn't in the mood for the train but we did take another sleigh ride around the Merry-Go-Round.

We had a really nice weekend.