THE KUPPERSMITH FAMILY: Liam is Getting Big Too

While most of my growth updates are of Marlo since she is still in the rapidly changing times, I wanted to take a few minutes to update on how Liam has been changing. Liam is 3 1/2 now. While some days the 3's are a challenge, other days are so rewarding. Just the other day, Liam buttoned his own button up shirt and zipped his coat. When I asked who taught him that, he said, "you Mommy." I knew I had taught him but we really hadn't worked on it much and he just did it. He can now completely get himself dressed, including his belt that he insisted on getting for Christmas.

Liam's fine motor skills have improved quite a bit since the beginning of the school year. I know they say that boys take longer with this and I can definitely see that. Liam can write his name pretty well now and color in a controlled manner when he wants to. His attention span for this is very limited but hey, we are making progress. Liam loves games. His favorites right now are UNO, Go Fish, and Chutes and Ladders. Blake's mom, Jean, taught him to play these while we were on our trip in October and he continues to beat us all the time.

Liam's language has always been an area that he does just fine in. The other day he started saying his "L" sound correctly. While I know I should be happy, it is just one more reminder of how big he is getting. I did shed a small tear when I heard him say "Liam," "Laura," and "Lucas" instead of Wiam, Waura, and Wucas. Liam is hearing and paying attention to everything he hears around him. We have to now be extremely careful with what is on the radio, tv, or just what Blake and I are talking about when he is playing nearby. He has been saying sweet things like "I still love you" when something goes wrong or I am having a bad day. He also picked up on something not so great I guess I have said a lot, "I don't have time for this." He enjoys using this phrase when I ask him to help me with something. Liam is becoming more responsible and I enjoy seeing him take initiative. The other night, I came into his room after we put him to bed and he was cleaning it up all on his own. Then, tonight, he decided he should clear his plate like we were. We will see how long this lasts, but I will take it for all it is worth. Liam's other "job" is feeding Duncan. I have to say that Duncan listens to him a lot more now that Liam is the one feeding him.

Liam continues to love school and we are really happy with his teachers. The next big step for us is going to be to stop the thumb sucking at night. Liam only does this when he has his little monkey lovey so I think we are going to have to take it away. The hardest part is that since Liam was about 6 months old, he has cherished this monkey. It makes him feel better when he is scared, hurt, or sad. This weekend we plan on heading to the store to get a new, "big boy" monkey to exchange for the other one. He says he is ready. I hope I am too.