The Force is strong with this one

Tonight we had a big Halloween party at our house, with lots of friends and lots of food. Costumes were encouraged, and, of course, we had a family costume theme.

I was Obi-Wan Kenobi (yes, I grew a beard just for the costume) Mirjam was Padme Amidala, and William was Yoda. Mirjam made a light brown robe, and a green hat with Yoda ears for William to wear (he was incredibly adorable, of course). She also made a light cape to go with her white outfit for herself. I sewed my own dark brown Jedi robe, and Mirjam helped with the hood and a couple of strips of fabric that ended up looking like a tunic under my robe.

Next year we'll have to construct a blaster for Mirjam and a light saber for me. We got a couple pictures tonight, but I want to get a some more good ones during the day with more light--maybe this Saturday.

Sharing with Papa

Last week I fell asleep on the couch, and in the morning, after William woke up, he came over to the couch, greeted me excitedly ("Baba!"), and saw that I had left a cup on the table from the night before. He carefully picked up the big blue plastic tumbler, still half full, with both hands, lifted it to his mouth, and either tried to drink something or pretended to take a sip of whatever was inside, not sure if he wanted to tip it all the way back.

Then, because he's such a nice person and he likes to share, he gently put the edge of the cup to my mouth--I was still lying on the couch, half asleep--and lifted it to make sure I got some water. Splash! The cup emptied onto my face and dripped down my cheek onto the cushion, then onto the floor.

I just lay there, my face dripping with last night's water, for a couple minutes. William didn't laugh (he didn't think he'd done anything funny) and he didn't run away (he didn't think he'd done anything wrong) he just went along his business and kept playing with other things in the living room as I lay there, still stunned by the face full of water.

Mmm-hmm?

William has gotten the hang of saying "Mama" (or sometimes "Baba," when I remind him) when he needs help, and now he's starting to grasp the association a little better.

Mirjam told me that when she drives by the Park and Ride lot, William will look out the window and say "Baba!" He also squeaks and says "Baba" when he sees me step off the bus. I could eat him up, and as you know, I sometimes take a little nibble here or there out of his neck or ear if he gets to close.

Well, last week, he started doing something a little different. When Mirjam asks him a question, any question, he answers with a simple, upward-inflected, "Mmm-hmm." For example:

Mirjam: William, do you like to eat your apple?

William: Mmm-hmm. (Not bothering to look up, as if this is all quite normal, and nothing new.)

Mirjam: Do you also like applesauce?

William: Mmm-hmm. (Slightly glancing up.)

Mirjam: Do you want to go to bed?

William: Mmm-hmm. (Smirking now, as if he understands the question.)

Mirjam: Do you know how to drive the car?

William: Nnn-hnn. (Smiling more, with each successive question.)

Jon: William, are you ten feet tall?

William: *blank stare*

Mirjam: William, do you like to read your Corduroy book?

William: Uhh-huh. (Now almost laughing at this silly game.)

Mirjam: Are you ready for bath time, William?

William: Aah-haa! (Now laughing with each answer.)

He doesn't understand the questions yet, but it's too much fun to play with him to care about little details like that. He must have picked up the habit listening to us answering each other, or him when he babbles to us:

William: Glaldegledabelgdiggledigel. (Sometimes nodding, always very certain of his important statement.)

Jon and Mirjam: Mmm-hmm! (In the same encouraging, upward-inflected tone he has now adopted.)

I tried to get some of this on video, because it's just so hilarious that he answers questions like this now. Of course, the moment I turn the video camera on, he becomes fascinated with it and stops answering questions. I'll have to keep trying some hidden camera moments.