The Loss of Perfection?

A week has elapsed since the events I'm about to describe but I still want to capture my thoughts.

Last Friday, I got a call from Evan's day care provider saying Evan was inconsolably clingy and crying unless he was being held. This was contrary to his usual demeanor and I initially though he was just upset that I had been out of town the previous two days (my dad flew in and had been watching Evan). So, I offered to talk to Evan, who seemed to calm down immediately as I spoke to him. I thought nothing more and took a few long calls for work. Later, when I called daycare, it seemed that Evan was no better so I went to pick him up early.

At daycare, the staff had concluded something was wrong with Evan's left arm. He was holding it stiffly to his side and his wrist seemed tender. He also seemed unwilling or unable to lift his arm. When I gave him my car keys to hold, he held them weakly and eventually dropped them. I got Evan home after gingerly strapping him into the car seat and I left a message for the doctor. I figured it might be a sprain or torn ligament yet nobody seemed to have seen or heard any traumatic event. I laid Evan down for his nap and he held his arm stiffly to his side like a mummy as I covered him with blankets.

I had a lot of conflicted feelings while Evan napped. How had he gotten injured? Should I be mad at my dad, who took him to daycare? Should I be mad at the daycare staff? Had somebody done something careless and was now refusing to tell me? Were those perfect supple toddler ligaments and muscles now irreparably damaged? Could Evan, who always seemed to bounce back, now have some permanent damage that would plague him the rest of his life? What if he was left-handed? Could I have prevented it? Was Evan's perfect body now already starting to collect scars like I've collected from from my accidents and neglect over the years?

Luckily, the Doctor did have an appointment available and I'm glad I took it. After a long wait, the doctor listened briefly to my explanation and wanted to hear no more. I tried to explain that there was a simultaneous shoulder-wrist trauma. He did not care. He was sure it was a dislocated elbow - something he sees every day. With Evan in my lap, the good Doctor straightened Evan's arm, turned his hand over, and bent the elbow. With a small pop, Evan was cured and the Doctor was happily swiveling Evan's arm around. It was like when Jimmy Swaggert cures a cripple and they rise up from the wheel chair. Evan cried a bit but was more surprised than anybody. Evan was so happy he kept showing off all his new moves with his arm. I know Evan is going to LOVE going to the doctor for a while and he may well become one because of this.

So what actually happened? Normally dislocated elbows are caused by swinging or lifting a child by one arm (don't do this, readers!). They also happen when a stubborn two-year old refuses to budge and gets pulled by one arm. I'm not sure either of these was the cause here. I suspect it occurred as Evan writhed his way out of his car seat - something he does (well, actually, used to do) with gusto. Why he did not yelp out in pain, I do not know, but he does have a high pain threshold.

So, all's well that ends well but it really was an amazing day.

No No La La!!!

Just wanted to capture a cute moment for posterity. The dog's name is Lani, and Evan calls her "La La". Lately, the dog has been quite a vulture around the dinner table and has been getting lots of "No's". So, that's were Evan learned to say "No No La La!". He has not quite learned that this is an admonition only meant for the dog. The other day, at daycare, Kaya (Evan's girlfriend) was pulling apart the foam floor tiles. The teacher told her no, and Evan pointed at Kaya and sternly said "No No La La!!". Cracked everybody up. I guess you had to be there.

Christmas and Hopping Mad

This post is about two unrelated things, actually.

First, Christmas was great. Evan got all the gifts and he has already figured out that wrapped things are generally good. He has also figured out that clothes are not nearly as fun as toys. Aside from smashing a few ornaments, Evan behaved really well around the tree despite all the temptations.

The hopping mad part has to do with what happened last night. Evan was in a great mood after his bath but when he swiveled around to go into the living room, he missed his turn and walked right into the door jamb. It hurt a little but he was more mad than anything. He clenched his fists and hopped from one foot to another a few times before getting over it. I was so proud of how he expressed a strong emotion in an effective way.

Tonight, as I write this, Evan decided he wanted to get under the blankets and lay on the sofa to go to sleep. He's talking himself to sleep right now. I see his crib days as coming to an end.

Gotcha Day

The 11th was "gotcha day" for Evan - the day he joined his "forever family". It does not feel like a year has elapsed since the "Giving and Receiving" ceremony but when I think of all the events that have transpired, it is definitely more than a year's worth of activity. I have a lot to be thankful for! Best wishes to all, this holiday season, from me and my best Christmas present from 2006 - Evan.

I do!, I do!, I do!

Does this count as Evan's first sentence? I've been hearing it a lot lately. Evan wants to do EVERYTHING on his own and is incessant with his determined tries. It's been a challenge to let him try and learn things while still actually getting anything done.

Generally, Evan is going through a bit of a demanding phase. He throws mini tantrums (noisy but tearless), sets his jaw in a determined way, and tries to test his boundaries. Tonight, he looked me right in the eye and thew his fork on the floor (he knows he should not). This earned him a very short (and effective) bit of time out.

Despite the above things, Evan is a terrific and easy-going kid.

Duh!

Evan has finally started to differentiate his prepositions... This has been a refreshing change since there was a long period where everything was "down". Now, when he wants up, he says so. Today, he was extending his arms upwards and grunting, so I told him to "use his words". In the exact tone of an annoyed impatient teenager stating the obvious, he said "up". So, while I've been bossed around by Evan for some time, now I'm getting it with attitude.

Thanksgiving

I'm backdating this post since, well, I've been remiss in keeping up. For Thanksgiving, we flew to Tampa to visit Opa (my father) and Oma (his wife). Oma and Opa are German for Grandpa and Grandma. Evan also got to see his aunt Katy, who was also there.

The flight over went as well as could be hoped. At nearly 2, Evan's days of being a lap-child are pretty much over. The red-eye flight was full and neither of us was able to get comfortable enough to sleep very well.

Evan adapted to his new surroundings very well, especially since the babyproofing that had been done pretty much ended with dusting off the high chair and setting up the pack-n-play. Despite the large number of delicate porcelain figurines in easy reach, Evan didn't break a thing. Evan has been a bit clingy lately (normal at this age), which made getting comfortable with the family a gradual process.

Evan was an absolute and utter wreck at Thanksgiving dinner, shrieking and wailing when I put him in his high chair. Eventually, he settled down with some quiet time in has crib in the back bedroom, but not before emitting the most mournful series of "Da Da's" yet. In return, Da Da got lukewarm but delicous turkey.

The ten days in Florida passed quickly. We took lots of walks around the neighborhood with the dog, and Evan happily pushed the stroller or walked rather than riding.
Evan helped decorate the Christmas tree with Oma and Opa.
Evan and also got to open some presents, while wearing his Santa suit bought in Hanoi. These presents will be rewrapped and reopened for Christmas in California Here is a picture with Oma, whom Evan met for the first time on this trip. Before posting this picture I showed it to Evan and he immediately pointed and said "Oma!" The trip home was much easier...I had a night flight and an entirely empty row. Evan slept soundly for 3 1/2 hours out of the 5 hour flight.