Of Babies and Boys

This is a blog I've been wanting to write for a long time. We are away from our home at a retreat/ conference with colleagues working in similar situations (in my former Asian country of residence). So I have a bit of brain space and a few minutes online to finally write!
First, an update on our growing boy. I think it was a couple months ago that Abe seemed to wake up a full fledged toddler. Curiosity about his world has conquered any fear, making each day a wild adventure for mom, keeping him out of mud puddles (or giving him baths afterwards) or chasing him out of the bathroom where he loves to splash in the water pails. He seems to be perfecting the toddler tantrum, which on a few occasions looked like an on-the-floor floundering fish. This week, he had his very first introduction to away from mommy childcare (in church, he plays in the back of the auditorium) and has been a star pupil... he's an easy going kid, bringing delight to the helpers and teachers for the childrens program. Abe is feeding himself these days, meeting his mouth with most attempts. We're looking forward to the day he learns to chew in between bites (maybe that happens at age 18?) His signing vocabulary is growing... he can sign "eat", "all done", "down", and "baby." His words seem to be mostly his own creations still, with a few exceptions... "Ah doh (all done), "eis" (light), "ku ku ku" (chicken), "te ke" (for the sound of the house lizard in the village), and "ackle" (apple).
Abe's little sibling is developing well. It's hard to believe he will be in our arms in just a little over three months! He now weighs more than a pound of sugar, and is growing by the day. And yes, he's definitely a "he." Our Abraham Frank will have a little bro!