It's official--we've got a musician on our hands! And other Amos updates.

I've just realized that it's been awhile since I've given an official Amos update. So here goes nothin'!

These days, Amos is soaking it all in. I guess nothing's changed then, huh?
Not only is he a sponge, but he is now also an echo! He is echoing music and words and it's getting scary. We have to really watch what we say, watch and listen to! On Sunday, we stayed home from church since we both weren't feeling well and watched 101 Dalmations together. Watching it with "Amos colored glasses" was a revelation: I had not ever noticed the amount of smoking, violence and bad words and names in that movie! So, it's off the viewing list! I don't want Amos to call me an idiot or to tell me to shut up!
We are listening to music constantly, as usual. His favorite song is "Viva La Vida," by Coldplay, and he's got the parts down. He wants to listen to is so much that we try to limit him to once a day. He also loves the song "Death and His Friends," also by Coldplay. He loves the piano and drum parts at the end.
He is also getting into jazz. We're listening to alot of the Charlie Brown music and to Dave Brubeck. He tries to sing the sax part in "Take Five" and as usual, blows us away! He's picking up melodies and lyrics of Nathan's songs (ha ha ha ha from "Solar" and hey hey from "Motorhome") and when we listen to the new mix cd I made him, as each song begins, he says "Yes! Mama, yes!" if he likes it, recognizes it and wants to keep listening. There's only a few he says no to, and those are the ones I want to hear!
As these things are emerging and Amos is starting to articulate music more and more each day, we keep wondering how we can keep up with him, nurture this interest and how not to show him off all of the time. We're so excited but we don't want him to be our little pet who does tricks.
Another example: This morning, he was playing bass on his Little Tikes shovel, since I've bee playing a bunch lately.
Either way, it's awesome. It's also no surprise, but it's amazing that he's sooo good! I guess, like with everything else, we'll keep encouraging him and giving him opportunities to keep exploring and learning.

Getting back to 101 Dalmations--Amos is continuing to expand his vocabulary, either by sound or by name. He loves to call his friends and family by name; he also remembers what he's seen them do: Uncle Jesse rides the mini motorcycle; GrrMama sewed him a new blanket; Aunt Abby says, "Say What??" and every now and then, he remembers, "GrrDada, maumah," which means, Grandaddy plays guitar. Sometimes he asks about Dada, to which I reply, "Dada went to work." And then he says, "Dada, turch, manumah," which means Dada's at church, playing guitar.
If he has something to show you, he shows it to everyone in the room. If someone comes home or if they come into the room, he says, "HI! Dada!" or whoever else it may be. Thank he tells everyone in the room, individually, that someone new is there.
If he wants to do something--maybe something you're doing--he'll say, "Amos" and if he's done something difficult on his own and he wants you to know it, he says "Aaaaamos!" in a delighted tone!
If he wants to play a peek-a-boo game, he'll either cover his head or walk out of the room and say, "AMOS!" to which we reply, "Has anyone seen Amos?" and then he'll say, "Yes!" and will run in the room. He loves this game!
He is still very good at saying yes and no and seems to impress people regularly with that skill.
He's also found his volume knob--but doesn't quite know how to use it. It's no surprise that he's a yeller, a loud talker and very expressive, since we Meeks folk are all that way in one form or fashion. So when he wants to get our attention, it can be quite trying, especially if we're on the phone or in a conversation with each other. He'll say, "DaaaaaDA!!" or "MaaaaMA!!" and likes to try to make his voice go up and down in tone.
He is still calling things by sound which takes some level of skill in interpreting. I'm totally like the older sibling that enables the younger sibling to continue in their own language and not to learn the language that everyone else is speaking. It annoys Nathan but I don't know what else to do! Many times he'll see a truck, make the truck sound and it'll be up to me to guess which one it was!
One thing we've always known about him--he's particular. Very much so and continues to be. You have to guess the correct giant motor vehicle with a loud engine or, guess what word he's saying and what he means. He doesn't like food on his face at meal times and asks to "wash" several times in the course of that meal. He's keen and observant--on Wednesday mornings, he hears the garbage truck from a mile away and leaps out of bed to watch it slowly drive down our alley, collecting trash.
Lately, when he plays with his cars and trucks, he makes them drive all over and then crash, very loudly! I think he learned this from his "big brothers" Zach and Zane! He also has learned out to put the big Legos together, and not just take them apart, a huge milestone for him!

And in the gross motor skills department, he's really into kicking and throwing balls, and is almost jumping--he's trying really hard. Our gymnastics class has been so much fun and he is really enjoying it. Someday I'll remember to take the camera!

His health has been really great, overall, too. He's been on 5 mL of steroid a day to help his lungs and I think it's really been helping to keep him well. He's also on a ton of other supplements but it seems that we on a good track right now for getting through the winter. I hope it continues to stay this way!

Overall, Amos is continuing to grow into a little person. He's still not very big or fat, but he is getting taller! He's still as cuddly as ever, is very sensitive and very passionate about the things he loves! He's super super creative and spends tons of time imagining and playing with his toys on his own. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives; to be his parents and to have received such a gift.