After three years of not fixating on any particular stuffed animal, Zeeke has developed a very strong attachment to a small stuffed tiger he calls "Tigey." Tigey sleeps with him and requires his own blanket ("A baby blanket! Because he's a baby tiger!"). If Tigey falls out of the crib during the night or gets lost in Zeeke's blanket, there will be a panicked cry for help. Tigey always needs to be on the same floor of the house as Zeeke (but fortunately does not need to go to school or the playground). "Tigey is my baby!" he declares over and over. "I keep him safe!"
The determination of who is a baby has been much on his mind lately. That child or animal is a baby and that one is not. Woe be unto anyone who calls him a baby. We can't even tell him he's cute without starting an argument, because "only babies are cute and I'm not a baby!"
Often when he wants your attention but he can't quite think of what to say Zeeke turns to the phrase "that you never seen before!" Examples: "This picture is a picture of something you never seen before!" or "Gloooobalooo! That's the sound of an animal that you never seen before!"
Zeeke hasn't been the best eater lately. He frequently demands meals of "just berries" and its takes a heroic effort to get anything more into him. A low-protein breakfast on Wednesday led to a morning of angry outburst and timeouts and school. And then one day, out of the blue, he tried to convince us that he needs to get a treat with every meal.
Tuesday, we had his three year checkup. He got a clear bill of health and didn't have to get any shots.
Saturday, Steve and Zeeke went to the playground, but Zeeke could hardly contain his excitement that they were going to the grocery store next. While there, they bought watermelon with which to make watermelon popsicles. By the time he was up from his nap, they were frozen and ready to eat! Dena stopped by for a visit before bedtime.
Sunday, we went to breakfast at Chhya and then Karen & Zeeke headed to the playground where he played with his schoolmate Zooey. Back at home, we skipped his nap and headed off on the long trek to Maryland for crabs with Karen's family. Zeeke had a great time seeing everyone, especially his cousins Riley & Bella. As usual, Grand Pop Bob Bob cooked up a great batch of crabs and Grandma Joy had a fine array of activities lined up for the kids. He even got his nails painted.