Harry is now two years old and into everything! In fact, he has acquired so much knowledge so fast, that I'm not sure I can begin listing all that he's learned to do since this page was last updated. In the large-motor department, besides the usual running, jumping, climbing, and so on, he can now ascend & descend stairs "like a big boy" (i.e., forward-facing, on two feet, holding the handrail), throw a ball (right at your head!), and try to catch a ball that's thrown to him. He's not as fond of dancing-- formerly his favorite and most impressive/ hilarious/ adorable trick-- as he was this time last year (the country line dance picture at right was taken in April of 2003), probably because he's more self-conscious now. Instead, though, he's become quite the swordsman: inspired by "Star Wars," he loves to lightsaber fight and is liable to challenge you to a duel if there is so much as a pair of sticks at hand.

In the fine motor department, Harry "plays" the piano, correctly puts videos and DVDs into the appropriate player/rewinder, pushes remote control buttons (randomly, but as if he knows they control the TV and its attachments), and carefully slides a computer mouse around on a mousepad, gleefully clicking on links and non-links alike. In other words, he is (just like his brothers) shaping up to be a real "Daddy's boy."

And in the verbal arena, the boy is making complete sentences (most of which, it must be admitted, begin with "I want"). I reckon we should be impressed, but on the other hand it might be more surprising if a child growing up in this household weren't chatty! His vocabulary grows daily, as he'll try to repeat any word you say to him.

Harry can often be found playing with action figures (he's got a fleet of Batman and Robin ones, courtesy of his brothers' old collection). He also likes blocks and toy cars, but I have to admit that it's videos and DVDs (both of which he calls "moofies"), as well as websites featuring his favorite TV and movie characters, which hold the strongest appeal at the moment. Nothing quite like a glowing screen...