Ryan update

Here is an update on Ryan.

• He is a 3 1/2 year old bundle of energy. Many mornings he's up before dawn- 5:30 or so and when I say, "up," I mean "UP." If he is the first to wake up (most days) he yells from his bed, "Mommy! You forgot a wake me up!!!!!! I AWAKE NOW!!!!!" He only runs form room to room. Never walks. Sometimes somersaults from place to place, and loves to be upside down.
• Although he is perfectly delightful most of the time, he does have a temper. He reminds me of the Incredible Hulk because when he gets mad he squeezes his hands in fists, tucks his body in a ball, clenches his teeth and growls "rrrrrrrrr" so hard and so loud I half expect him to turn green.
• He LOVES books and stories and songs and dancing. If they can all be combined, all the better. He loves going to the library for the storytime programs they have there. He participates fully in each story, hand motion, dance move and craft activity. His teachers report that they always have his rapt attention during circle time, and that he loves that part of the day the best.
• He is FUNNY. He makes funny faces, he makes funny sounds, he does funny things JUST to make other people laugh. He does this so often when we are out in public that Rebecca will often tell the grownups that he's entertaining, "Um, my brother's just a little bit crazy."
• As much as he delights other people, he is constantly delighted with other people. Everywhere he goes, he looks to be delighted, and he is rarely disappointed. He makes eye contact with everyone, and if they make eye contact back, (and even if they don't) he starts a conversation with them by sharing something he has just learned or seen or thought about. Many many times, these complete strangers stop what they're doing so that they can continue talking to him, or so that they can make him laugh. He often has this look on his face like he's just getting ready to laugh, like he's just waiting for the punchline, and any little thing can make him laugh.
• When he is asked what his name is, he always responds, "Wyan Wiyam Stewat." This is humorous to watch because most people do a double take, expecting a shorter answer. The other day he was wearing a t-shirt that read "Hello, my name is Trouble." People kept saying, "Well hello, Trouble." Every time he responded, "I not Twouble! I Wyan Wiyam Stewat."
• As long as he is being entertained, he can pay attention and sit still for long periods of time. This summer we attended a series of free childrens programs at the library featuring a local magician and juggler, Magic Mike. Ryan was front and center for each program. He paid close attention, and tried very hard to figure out how Magic Mike could do all the tricks. This fall, I took the kids to a community production of Into the Woods. The first act was an hour and half long, and Ryan watched the whole thing sitting on my lap. I was going to call it a day at intermission figuring I had pressed my luck with a 3 year old sitting still that long. The people behind us stopped us when we got up to let us know that there was another act. (Thanks folks.) So, we stayed, and Ryan sat still for another hour and a half. Not only did he basically sit still on my lap for 3 hours, but he really enjoyed the performance. The director and star of the show approached me afterwards to let me know how impressed she was, and to let me know she thought I had the best children she had ever seen attend live theater!!!