Interview with Russel at 20 months

I: So, what has been going on in your life lately?

Russ: I have been so busy. I love reading. I have been reading lots of books about witches and brooms, ABCs, feet in the day and feet at night. I had this huge epiphany within the last month that everything, every object, every body part has a name. Did you know that? I have been working really hard at finding out the names of things and learning how to say them. It’s really hard work. My mouth doesn’t move like mommy’s yet, and the words come out all funny, but I practice and practice and practice.

Mom and me have swimming lessons in the tub. I can kick really good and am the best at blowing bubbles in the water.

I love playing sports, but I think soccer is my favorite. I kick and dribble the ball all over.

I: What’s been going on with your family?

Russ: My dad got a new job. I get to play with him a lot more now. He works for Mickey Mouse, which is so cool. Tomorrow I get to go to a big party at Mickey’s and my dad’s work. I’m really excited.

I: How are you like your father?

Russ: Oh, dad, well he looks exactly like me. Everywhere we go together people call him my “mini-me”. We’re twins.

Also, we love the same food. Mom gets it all wrong, and sometimes I’d rather go hungry than eat those nasty veggies she puts on my tray. When she puts them in front of me I look at her very sternly (so she can understand) and say “BO!” which means no, and throw them on the ground. She’s not catching on yet, but consistency is the most important thing.

Dad knows just what I like, because we’re the same. He gives me macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs. I laugh and clap so hard as soon as I taste that incredible deliciousness. I clap after every bite dad feeds me.

I: How are you like your mom?

Russ: It’s hard to say. I’m still pretty young. I love playing in the ocean, just like her. I love reading, just like her. And mom is really bad at hiding how she feels. I don’t even try. If I’m excited, happy, mad, or sad; people around me are going to know.

I: How do you find ways to help your mom around the house?

Russ: I think the most important thing is to show her she’s appreciated, you know. So I developed this system where I clap enthusiastically for her throughout the day. I clap for her after she sings me a song, or reads me a book, or cleans up my high chair. I think it goes a long way.

I: Do you ever disagree with your parents?

Russ: We do really disagree on one thing lately. I really love punching people in the face. When I get upset it just feels so good to give someone a whack. Sometimes I am playing and then I remember how fun it is to hit someone in the face, so I run up to mom or dad and just hit them. When I want something and they tell me, ‘no’ I have to hit them in the face so they understand I don’t like their behavior. Anyway, they are really stressed about it. They are being really strict with me whenever I do it, and it either makes me madder, or it makes me cry. Parents worry too much. Didn’t they hear the doctor say it was totally normal at my age? Didn’t they hear him say it would probably get worse before it got better?

I: What is the most important thing you do for your family?

Russ: I really teach my parents that you need to stop and play a lot. You need to laugh as hard as you can multiple times a day. Sometimes they keep running errands and forget to play, so I get really really grumpy, until they have to stop. Then I make them get down on the ground and chase me around and tickle me, and let me ride on their back, and throw me around and on the couch. It’s good for all of us. We just laugh and it is so much fun.

I also make mom and dad stop and kiss. I really like watching them kiss. When I can reach both of their heads I push them together and make them kiss. I do it over and over again. They are so cute.

I: Well I know you have a lot to do, and I should let you go. Thank you for your time, and I hope we will be able to catch up before too long.