Nicky has been saying “no” a lot lately – not in an irritating terrible-two kind of way – just a boy who is finally able to say, “no, in fact, I do not want to eat pureed beans – I thought I made that clear when I threw them on the floor.” Or, when I’m messing with him, and he’s all done, or doesn’t want me to do something, he’ll tell me. It’s really nice, actually, for him to be able to express his limits short of screaming.

Just a couple of minutes ago Katie and I were finishing putting together a toy in the living room, when Nicholas started making some noise up stairs where he was sleeping. He kicked a few times, whimpered, cried out once, and then, heartbreakingly, said “no, no, no…” It was such a pathetic sound – a please stop kind of sound…

I love that kid.