Soren Update: 25 Months

Soren's independence continues to grow, but in true toddler fashion, he still needs his hugs of reassurance.  He often gives impromptu hugs.  He breaks from his play just long enough to give you a hug, pauses for another moment and then continues what he was doing.  If he falls or hurts himself, he seeks our arms and wails for a minute or two and then is wiggling out again wanting to return to the fun.  I just love that feeling of being the one who can soothe him.  I can literally feel him relax in my embrace. 

Although his little toddler hugs remind me how sweet Soren is, he's picked up some naughty behavior from Oliver.  It's amazing how much he copies Oliver, even when Oliver misbehaves.  Oliver swatted at Chris in anger about being told no and before Chris even had a chance to reprimand Oliver, Soren gleefully swatted at Chris too.  We spend a lot of time telling Soren, "hands are for hugging" and if we see him look like he's going to hit, we repeat our mantra and ask him to show us what he's supposed to do with his hands.  It works - if we can catch him in time. 

Soren is one of those kids who loves his stuffed animals.  He's so cute when he play pretend with them.  He got a Snoopy to go with his Charlie Brown costume and he tries to have Snoopy drink from his sippy cup or suck on his pacifier. One day he read his stuffed animals a bedtime story, which consisted of him tucking the animals in then just holding up an open book in front of their faces.  Not only do his stuffed animals sleep in bed with them, but he's got to tuck his favorites under the covers with him when I tuck him in at night.  

Soren sometimes insists we set a place for Snoopy!

The penguin run has all but disappeared.  Just in the last month we noticed that Soren runs with his arm up-right instead of straight down and slightly back.  I'll really miss that run.