My Precious Boy, Francis!

It has been a while that I haven't written about my precious boy, Francis. The best word to describe him is "NON-STOP."

He is 18 month old and he brings so much joy to our family. He has a charming personality that makes him to stand out wherever he goes. We went to a birthday party, and by the end, one of the staff member was cleaning up the wrapping paper from the gifts. Then, Francis went there to help with cleaning up. When they were done, he gave her a high 5, meaning they did a good job. None of the other kids paid attention to help with cleaning up, just Francis.

Francis's fake smile

I love his fake smile. He does it since he was about 9-month old.

Apple Monster

Francis cannot see an apple because he has to eat it.

He is an expert apple tief at the grocery store

when Daddy gets distracted. 

Francis has good communication skills. He switches form one language to the other without a problem. If he requests bread and I ignore him, then, he requests "pan" (bread). He is properly starting use phrases, like "let's go;" "Tommy, come! or Tommy, ven." We are hearing many, many words in both languages. He began to answer simple questions, such as: What is this animal? or Who is this person? when he was 15 months. He perfectly names whatever is asked. He uses the words "Thank you" or "gracias" properly most of the time. Because of Francis bilingual communication skills, I know his learning process is faster than what it should be for his age. When he was a baby his pediatrician said we should be aware of language delay due to bilingualism, which I already knew about it. But Francis figured out how to be simultaneously bilingual without interrupting his language development.

His knowledge and comprehension are impressive. When we are getting ready to go out, I just tell him something like; Oh Francis you are forgetting your coat, he stops and goes back to get his coat from the hook. He mastered a 6 piece puzzle with one explanation and one practice. He can currently put a puzzle of 8 pieces together very quick and as soon as he is done he says: "again" and takes the pieces out and put them all back again. He currently recognizes and label the numbers up to 10 and label all the letter of the alphabet in random order and can sight read single words. I was impressed when I saw him taking a catalog and naming the letters of the min heading of the cover, here was when I realized he was learning the alphabet. Wherever we go, if he sees a sign or a poster he names the letters he sees; I usually pay close attention when we go out if I heard him naming letters because I want to follow his lead and encourage him to keep his initiative of practicing the alphabet. 

His playing skills are way ahead of the game, sometimes when he is playing along, if one pays attention Francis is counting his toys up to three and whatever number comes to his mind. His pretend play is skills are really good. His abstract thinking is impressive. For example: He was eating a slide of zucchini and it had a small whole in the middle, he took the zucchini and showed it to us and said that it was the letter O. He knows that circle, rectangle and square are under the category of shapes. I don't sit to teach anything to Francis, he just absorb it from being around. So I have been looking for simple ways we can satisfied his curiosity for learning without feeling the pressure I cannot keep up with him. 

Francis's pretend play

He began to do simple form of pretend play since his was 13 month.

But now, his pretend play sills have gotten more complex 

as you see it the photos and videos.

Francis also pretends that he is sleeping.

I realized it during the Christmas break.

Francis is acting up that he is dramatically crying.
He is a good actor!

He began to open small jars, as well as, open door with handles when he was 16 month. He is already getting curious about open doors with knobs. He also began to pour at his 16 month. He likes to color at the glass door. He says: "Coco" which means he wants to color. But his favorite school utensils are the markers, because he enjoys to take the lid off and put it back while he names the colors. Yes! He is also very interested on learning the colors and he actually can properly name some colors. He is always busy discovering things with his little hands. Having good fine motor skills help him to have great self-care skills. He can unzipped and zip (He needs minimal assistant), so he takes his coat off almost by himself. He likes to brushes his teeth. He loves to help around the house. I let him to help because it is a good way to increase his self steam and encouraging love for learning at the same time.  I am not doing any activity to help him to develop fine motor skills, it is just happening. This is other reason I know Francis's thinking process is ahead because while Tommy was in the Early Intervention Program, the therapists explained to me that fine motors skills is the way they determinate how babies and toddlers use their minds.

Putting toothpaste oh Tommy's toothbrush

(He was 16 month)

He loves to color with markers rather than crayons.

Markers are more fun for him because he 

likes to take the lid off and put it back. 

In this photo, Francis was disappointed because 

Tommy got on the bus to go to school.

Opening door with a handle

(He was 16 month)

He is a great helper!

The littler broom is one of his favorite toys.

So he is "NON-STOP."

Other people who don't know us are also noticing that Francis is a little ahead of the game. A couple of time my husand has been asked in the grocery store how old Francis is and when he says his age, they think he is older or they noticed Francis language skills are really good for his age. Francis had his 18-month check up on January 23rd and the doctor when over his milestones with my husband. He told my husband that Francis is doing everything for a 2 year old and maybe more. The lady from Parents as Teacher also see Francis's advanced development and started to brought toys for older kids. He enjoys to play with her to the point he doesn't like when she have to leave.

I avoid to do structure activities with Tommy if Francis is around because Francis creates too much distraction. But Francis is a good learner, so he is learning things really quick and he is picking a lot for the few moments I do things with Tommy and he is around. As any toddler, he needs an environment that nurture his curiosity for learning, which is what I am doing. I realized he doesn't need me to sit with him and teach, he just need to be around of all kind of educational sources, developmental toys and when possible be part of the activities I do with Tommy; as well as, a lot of free play because he can express what he is learning from his surroundings during free play. So I don't feel a guilt anymore for not dedicating time to him as I would like to. It is not about quantity is about quality. So I will be focused on providing sources that will enrich his knowledge, as well as, teaching him healthy eating habits, this is the best heritage I can give to my charming boy.