On top of Ian’s newfound mobility, he has taken an interest in helping Brinn and I complete all of our chores.  We’ve found that it’s impossible to convince Ian to eat if one of us is vacuuming.  The distraction of the roaring appliance prevents him from concentrating on the spoon or the food.  He whips his head around and stares, openmouthed, the entire time the vacuum runs.  If we put him in the floor while we vacuum, he chases the appliance around the floor.  Yesterday Brinn handed the end of the vacuum to him, and he had a big time trying to push it around the floor.

Ian’s also been helping out with feeding the animals.  It would be so much simpler to run outside and feed quickly by myself, but Ian loves going outside, and he enjoys being around the critters.  He giggles when the chickens cluck and crow at him, and he pulls on Dominick’s ears and Bear’s mane.  While Ian doesn’t complicate matters too much, carrying grain and a wiggly little boy can be a little difficult.  Now, however, once we mix grain and supplements in the bucket Ian grabs the handle and carries it for us.  Just holding a little boy is simpler than juggling him and the bucket.  By the time Ian starts walking, I should have a fully trained barn manager on my hands.