Perhaps one of Ewan’s most defining characteristics is the way he observes the world. He is always watching. Not always interacting, but always looking. He is content to walk around in the sling watching the trees blow in the wind. Happy to watch as mama washes some dishes. Glad to be included during family meal times. Interested as we walk through aisles of the grocery store. Intrigued as we read through books (some children’s and some adult).

He doesn’t like to be on the sidelines. He doesn’t like to be left alone to play or amuse himself while the “big” people in the house go about their work. He’d much rather join in and be a part of all the goings on.

Sometimes it is frustrating. Certainly dinner could be made so much faster if he would be content to play on his mat alone for a few moments. But the flip side is that I am so happy to welcome him into our world. To accept him as a true member of this family, from the very beginning. I know that it won’t be long before he will, truly, be a help.

Now that Ewan is starting to do a little bit more, it is becoming obvious how much he has learned during all that watching.

Like how to drink from a cup, for example.

A few weeks ago we started feeding Ewan solid foods (it is still going well) and we have always offered him a sippy cup of water at the end of the meal. He usually plays with it, but he’s never really seriously drank anything from it.

Well, after yesterday’s lunch I did the same. Ewan got his sippy cup and I had my glass, both filled with water. He watched me, carefully. Moments later he dropped his cup to the floor and grabbed for mine.

I let him try it out and was shocked to see how well he did it. Almost as though he’s been doing this forever.

I think my days of having a backwash-free beverage are over.