He is very helpful around the apartment and when we are out and about. I probably am not as grateful as I should be for his constant parenting assistance though; I call him "Tucker's Other Mother" and we have some words about that issue daily.
Generally he is a good sport about the attention he receives from the locals. He does NOT like it when he gets pats on the head or grabbed on the arm. Twelve weeks in, I applaud his outbursts so that I am not the only one chastising their brazen actions. Usually he will pose for pictures when asked. We have had many thoughtful discussions started about some of the things that he has seen here. I will be so curious what parts of China he remembers and which he does not. Up to now everything that he has experienced goes into his brain "vault" we say and you never know when you will hear about it again.
Stupidly, I thought China might cure his sweet tooth as there are not any decent Chinese desserts in my opinion. Aside from the ridiculously amazing cinnamon cake at Mr. Mai's Coffee Shop next door, we don't ever get anything at restaurants. Nevertheless, he continually is on the search more candy. I am amused that he weighs exactly 20.4 kg every single morning.
Hudson's loving nature typically disarms any stranger. He is a hugger. A close talker. Always anxious to get in your face and tell you about his dramas. He continues to add to his assortment of females that he adores. I think the girls like the attention as much as he does.
His obsession with all things Angry Birds has not waned, but his iPad time is limited simply because he would play for hours if allowed. It is the single most motivating tool and the easiest thing to take away when his behavior fails. Probably the newest thing that has captured his interest is Legos. I think he was to some extent interested in them prior to our trip, but between the three times he watched The Lego Movie on the flight here and the fact that fake-Legos are very inexpensive (therefore, he has quite a few sets now) he is a full enthusiast now. He continues to like to play with his cars. His imagination will take him anywhere. Seconds after unpacking our expat shipment and receiving a couple beloved stuffed animals, I was told that his new dolphin fell in love with his old whale that just arrived. They promptly had a wedding and adopted a stuffed crocodile and plastic kangaroo. He redesigned a Lego "creation" for the nuptials and planned their big event for the next day. It was precious.
Since we have little room for toys, he spends a decent amount of time drawing and painting as those goods are cheap here. I admit that I have done whatever I can to foster these skills as I enjoy the quietness of it all.
He talks all. the. time. From the second his feet hit the floor (and often before) long past the second (or third or fifth) time he is told to "STOP TALKING TO YOUR BROTHER" after lights out, his mouth is moving. Therefore, he is a hit at the foreign language club next door where young and old Chinese come in to practice their English. I am sure several young locals know more about Angry Birds than they ever cared to.
I am continually grateful that I have had the opportunity to delay his immersion in public education. The emails I receive from girlfriends whose babies are learning an a heap of new vulgar words and riddles in school is enough to secure the reality that while my days with Mr. Talk are long, they are so very precious. I am aware that I am not cut out to be a true "homeschooling mom" but I am comfortable with the progress he is making academically. He is reading on his own; we've moved on to subtraction. But I really marvel at the his interest and skills in the areas which are the result of natural competence or some strong engineering genes from his dad: the can always be found studying how something works and loves to take things apart.
I cherish his long eyelashes and sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of his nose, his made up jokes, the hand gestures that accompany every story, and the fact that he uses his middle finger as a pointer for everything just like (his namesake) my grandpa did.
Like most three year olds he goes from a Grumpy Gus to Giggle Monster in a nanosecond. We've returned to the phase of parenting where two choices are given, both of which we can live with, in effort to just get out the door. Do you want your sandals or tennis shoes on? Do you want to walk or be carried? Otherwise, he would ignore us and go quietly about his own agenda. While he is good for a quick smooch or hug when tired, he is not one to just curl up on your lap like his brother. I try to never to take advantage of a moment when he comes to me on his own.
Little Tucker has captured the eye of seemingly all of China. What will I do when people do not stop me constantly to tell him how beautiful my child is? Well, to be fair, 50% still think that he is a girl, but whateva... My dad asked the other night if we were still getting so much attention. Answer? Yep. Until all 10 million Wuhan citizens meet us, I doubt it will stop either. Unlike his brother, he rarely --if ever-- is comfortable with the attention he receives. And unfortunately he receives way more. I cut his bushy curls a bit, but it still continually confuses everyone that not only I have two sons, but that they can look "so different."
Our driver dotes on both boys, but definitely is one to sweep Tucker up and carry him around without being asked. He is a joy to tote as he is light as a feather and likes to lay his head on your shoulder.
He likes to run, "jump" and fly around instead of walk. He adores his Japanese buddy who also lives in the building and independently invited him to sit with us last week at breakfast. I worry that he has little social interaction his own age, but realize that his language has probably improved at a greater rate because of all the adult interaction. I will forever remember him saying, "This place is amazzzing" seconds after our arrival at Disneyworld.
Our apartment coffee table resembles the one we have back in the States: littered with Cars cars and his new favorite thing: dinosaurs. Based on their cheap price, he has acquired a couple sets of plastic animals and dinosaurs since our arrival. The dialogue of his independent play is usually a good helping of movie quotes with a side of his own spin on them. Like his dad and brother, he adores the fact that the most watched channel in China is Fox Sports 2 which is all forms of racing.
He continues to be a very selective eater. Usually good for one heavy meal a day. But when surrounded by his favorite foods: stir-fried pork, "milk," Miso soup, or popcorn he will gorge himself, so I know the appetite is still there. He weighs between 13 and 15 kg depending on the day and how much he liked his food choices the day before.
It is possible he will go to college in diapers as I am sure I have missed THAT magic window. But I have spent enough time in horrid squatty potties and rancid bathrooms throughout China to know that there is NO way that I would have been able to stomach potty training in this country. (No wonder they use split pants.) It will be something we work on fast and furious once we return to the land of western toilets.
Tucker likes to watch "shows" and has enjoyed the bootleg DVD man's wares as much as the rest of us. His favorite movie is Frozen. Most nights he sings to his big brother one of the musicals tunes. I am genuinely impressed that he went so smoothly from a crib all his own to sharing a queen bed with his brother. While Hudson has came out of the bedroom with a significant number of scratches to the face, I think Tucker will miss his bed buddy once they return home to separate quarters. Mentally I am trying to figure out the logistics of their new sleeping arrangements.
His personality will continue to show itself over the next few years, but so far I love intensely his independent ways, his fantastic belly laughs, the chip in his front tooth, and how he is a constant reminder that life is always better than ever could have imagined it.
