Progress!

I have so many wonderful, positive things to report about Ezra!  He is in a much better place; he has made some nice progress in recent weeks, especially in regards to Maren.  He also loves nursery again, and doesn't have as much anxiety in new situations.

He is an astute observer, and has picked up a number of social cues from us about how to respond to Maren.  These were not taught, just absorbed by our watchful little toddler.  For example:

When he hears Maren cry, he will immediately stop what he is doing, and rush to where she is and reassure her, "It's OK baby, big brother here.  Don't be sad."

When she is struggling to hold her head up during tummy time, Ezra offers kind encouragement, "You can do it, baby!"

When he is near her and she spits up, or blows bubbles and drools, Ezra will quickly grab a blanket or a wipe, dab her chin saying, "You pit [spit] up baby.  Ezra clean it.  All better baby!"

He likes to sit by her now.  He sometimes wants to snuggle with her.  He likes to watch her vocalize.  He brings his books and cars so he can have show-and-tell time with Maren.  He tries to put the pacifier back in her mouth if she loses it.  Often, when he wakes up in the morning or wakes up from an afternoon nap, he wants to see Maren.  He even occasionally shares Bear with Maren (for a brief minute or two).

A few weeks ago I caught an Ezra-Maren spontaneous moment on camera that delighted me.  Ezra was on the couch reading his Friend magazine.  Maren was on the floor on a blanket.  Both were quite content, amusing themselves independently.  Then, of his own accord, Ezra decided to share some magazine stories with Maren.  So, he left the couch and laid down beside her, "reading" almost half the magazine to her.  Precious.

Ezra and I had this conversation earlier this week: 
He did something that I thought was quite clever, so I said to him, "Ezra, you're sharp."
Ezra had a puzzled look on his face, and after a brief pause he said, "Mommy, Ezra not a shark.  Ezra a boy." 
I laughed.  And then he added with a smile, "Ezra a handsome boy."

Here is another, Ezra-is-observant-we-didn't-teach-him-this moment:
Almost every night at dinner, Ezra will ask Daddy, "Daddy, how your day?"
Daddy will respond.  If Daddy doesn't immediately return the question, Ezra will remind him of his polite social manners: "Daddy, now you say 'Ezra, how your day?'"

Funny kid.  We love him!