Ivo, Burl and Ryan: Bath-time. Shhhh.

Pics from tonight, after beef noodles and dumplings - Ivo loves - and before Ivo's sponge bath.

Ivo overheard:

• “‘member, …”



• “Dat de temple. Dat where Buddha live!." Neither Ryan nor I have ever told Ivo that Buddha lives at a temple, never mind at that temple and this isn’t the sort of thing he would have picked up at school or from tv (see next line). If he lives anywhere, wouldn't it be at a vegi Buddhist restaurant?



• “Dat my side boob.” Family Guy RULES but we’re, sniff, gonna hafta stop watching…



• Playing at the park. “Dat my girlfriend.” - Time passes and girlfriend leaves. “Where my girlfriend going?” “I think she’s going home.” “Oh.” We were taking a break, drinking water. After a couple minutes, Ivo pointed to another girl and said “Dat my girlfriend now.”



• Walking around stadium with Ryan at the Japan – Panama game, Ivo saw some black guys, in real life, possibly for the first time, “Dat Manny Wamiwez.” “No, Sweetie, that’s not Manny Ramirez.” “Oh. Dat wight. Manny Wamiwez live in da little tv.” Ever since the playoffs, Ivo has been calling the obviously waaay-too-few black men he sees on tv (added to the nearly-none he sees in real life), “Manny Wamiwez” – his favorite player. Ivo loves home runs!


• To a littler kid at the park who gently hit Ivo from behind on the head - with Ivo's own bat, "Hey, don't hit me in da back, man!"

Today was good. Exhausting. I tried not to say anything impatiently - I tried not to BE impatient. Ryan and I have been stressing about Ivo's behavior and demeanor. We know there are phases... we just want to help Ivo through. None of us can stand the constant correction, admonishment, constantly yelling NO! STOP! LISTEN! STOP! IVO, PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! DON'T DO THAT!

We love Ivo so much. We don't want to develop unhealthy patterns. I need to stop telling him what he's doing wrong. He's been so unhappy this past week - and so unpleasant. I want him to feel good. We'll get there.

I just can't believe how beautiful they are! These pics are good evidence of how completely Burl loves Ivo. Although Burl fights for his life with every bit of strength he's got while having his diaper or clothes changed, he will - even after Ivo has poked him in the eye for the 3rd time in a row - eagerly seek out Ivo. Tonight, we were trying to get Ivo's attention to tell/explain/WHATEVER the simple message, "don't kick Burl." Ivo wouldn't listen, just shook his head and made a silly face which DELIGHTED Burl, who did the same and then some.

Yea, lesson learned!