An Amazing Journey: Ch. 27 -- Finding "Mimo" About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

Chapter 27: Finding “Mimo”


Alexander looks in awe at the clownfish in The Living Seas (Epcot)

Alexander is approaching his second birthday on August 6. 2006. And like Nemo from Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” he’s smart, independent, and very curious about his world. He’s thriving, growing tall and strong, and healthy as can be. He sleeps in a “big boy” bed (and has ever since I caught him climbing out of his crib at about 21 months). He continually delights us with new words, behaviors, and abilities. He’s affectionate (loves to give kisses), charming, and utterly adorable (can you tell we’re completely smitten?)


Alexander decided he needed a cozier place to sit (All-Star Sports)

One new “behavior” of his seems to sum up his recent development – here’s the story: In early June 2006, we took “the kids” to Walt Disney World for a ten-day research trip. In addition to Alexander and Allie, we invited their 15-year-old cousin Melanie along to give us an older teen’s perspective. This was Alexander’s seventh trip to Walt Disney World and he’s an excellent traveler. That said, he was more active on this trip than on any previous trips – more curious about everything going on around him, less interested in naps and strollers, and dead set against sitting still for more than a moment or two. Long lines were difficult, as were long waits for food and bus rides. So we took to finding ways to keep him engaged. For example, we pointed out the cars and buses as we passed them by on the bus. The favorite activity was to point out Disney characters – they are all over the place at Disney (of course). This quickly led to us asking Alexander where various characters were and he’d happily look for them and point when he found them. He does have toys with some of the Disney characters on them, so he was generally familiar with the main character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto) before we arrived. About halfway through the trip, he began saying the name of the most popular Disney character – Mickey Mouse. Only he said it more like “mimo” or “meemou.” Now when we asked him where Mickey Mouse was, he’d say “mimo!” as if he’d won the lottery!


Alexander wears his "opry glasses" at Mickey's PhilharMagic

Near the end of the trip, I was waiting outside Festival of the Lion King while Dave, Allie, and Melanie were inside. Alexander had fallen asleep and I wasn’t about to disturb him. After he woke up I still had some time before the show got out, so I took him over to the Camp Minnie-Mickey Character Greeting Trails to meet Mickey Mouse. No one was around and we had Mickey all to ourselves for several minutes. Alexander looked at the huge Mickey Mouse in awe – this was his “mimo,” larger than life. He shook hands with Mickey and we took a photo.


Mickey, Jennifer, and Alexander (Disney's Animal Kingdom)

About ten minutes later, the real fun began. We were waiting at the exit to Festival of the Lion King so we could spot Dave, Allie, and Melanie as they made their way out. Suddenly, Alexander began saying, “mimo” excitedly and pointing. I knew Mickey wasn’t around so at first I was puzzled. Then I looked closer at what Alexander was pointing to. It was a trash can with the outline of Mickey Mouse on it! I was astounded. When did he learn that the Mickey head outline was the same as the colorful Mickey Mouses we’d been pointing out? Here is a photo of the trash can Alexander spotted:


Alexander 's first "hidden mickey" sighting in Camp Minnie-Mickey

From that point on, Alexander found “mimo” everywhere. On the bus, he’d spot Mickey on posters, plastic bags, shirts, pins, shoes, whatever. In the parks, it was the same story – he was able to see the tiniest Mickey. Often we’d have to search for the Mickey he’d found. When we got his hair cut at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street (his fourth visit), he got Mickey confetti in his hair and he proudly announced that he had “mimo!”


Alexander gets his hair trimmed at the barbers (Magic Kingdom)

Back home, he continues to find Mickey Mouses everywhere – it’s not hard in our house, after all. He loves to wear his clothes with Mickey on them, play with his stuffed Mickey, and spot Mickey on our clothes. About a week ago, we were sitting at our dining room table, eating dinner. Out of the blue, Alexander yells out “mimo!” and points down the table. We look, but see nothing. But he persists. Finally, I looked closer at what was on the table and realized he was pointing to my wine glass. The glass is etched with iconic symbols of Mickey: his gloves, his shoes, and his ears. Yes, just his ears. That’s what Alexander had found and was able to identify as Mickey. We were flabbergasted!


"Ta Da!"

And he continues to find “hidden” Mickeys. This weekend we went camping and my sister Kim brought glow sticks. During our campfire, she connected several sticks together to form one large circle and two smaller ones – the classic tri-circle Mickey shape. Alexander recognized it instantly with a gleeful “mimo!” And a couple of days ago we were in the grocery store, walking down the aisle with Alexander in the cart. As we’re going by a display of seasonal items, he says “mimo!”—I look back and realize he’s spotted Mickey Mouse on the side of a #2 pencil, one of many things on the shelf. I can’t believe his eyes!

Alexander is also recognizing many other things: he sees babies everywhere, again symbols as well as photos and pictures. He can point to and name his own eyes, nose, mouth, hands, feet, and belly button, and do the same on other people. He is also excellent at finding dogs – walking down the street, in books, on TV, or just barking somewhere in the distance. Fish fascinate him as well and he sees “fishies” all over the place.

Alexander’s keen eye and impressive pattern recognition are truly a delight! It’s like having a little Hidden Mickey guide with us all the time.

Speaking of delights, we’re also extremely pleased to report that Alexander has successfully used his potty four times now, beginning this past weekend. He even uses the sign language for potty before we visit the restroom.

As for Alexander’s verbal skills, he’s a talking fool these days! Here is a partial list of the words he uses on a regular basis, in the approximate order I recall him first using them:

Verbs: open, go, help

Proper Nouns: Mommy, Daddy, Allie, Sissy, Grandma (g’mama), Grandpa (g’papa), Mickey Mouse (mimo), Simba (‘mba)

Nouns (food and food-related): bottle (baba), apple, banana, juice, cheese, cracker, bread, fruit, food, spoon, fork, bowl

Nouns (animals): doggie, horsie, elephant, bird, fishie, duck

Other nouns: baby, ball, shoes, socks, eye, nose, mouth, car, flower, potty, sky, light

Other words: hi, hello, bye bye, more, up, down, out, ut oh, yes, no, okay, stuck, please, thank you, bless you, nice, pretty, mine (ex: “more please” and “I’m stuck”)

Phrases: what’s that?, who’s that?, where are you? (ex: “Where are you, Allie?”)

On a final note, Alexander and Allie are as thick as thieves. He loves her, she loves him. Allie has been particularly attentive lately – telling him stories before bed (and then putting him to bed), changing diapers, playing with him, and generally being very helpful. I couldn’t ask for more loving siblings.


Allie even lets Alexander drive the car (The Boneyard at Disney's Animal Kingdom)

[Jennifer Marx]

Here are more recent photos of Alexander:


Alexander tries to plug a leak in Donald's Boat in Mickey's Toontown Fair


Alexander admires himself in the mirrors at the Universe of Energy


Alexander looks in a window's reflection for "mimo" in his hair


Alexander tries to pull out the Sword in the Stone (Magic Kingdom)


Alexander listens to the rainforest at Rafiki's Planet Watch


Alexander pets the goat at Rafiki's Planet Watch


Alexander LOVED the drums at Disney's Animal Kingdom


Alexander the Viking

[Jennifer Marx]

And here are some of the faces of Alexander:

[MontiMouse]

Thanks for the wonderful update! It is very easy to see why you are totally smitten with him. He is so handsome and growing up so quickly!

[jimmymac]

Great pix! Very cute child

[Jammers]

How quickly they grow up! Alexander is a doll.
Thanks for the update, I have been checking back every so often looking for one.

[Eeyoresmom]

What a handsom little guy! Wow, I can't believe how big he is! And it sounds like he's growing up to take the helm of the Passporter empire, and maybe write his own Hidden Mickeys book! He's just too cute!

[iamgrumpy]

He is getting so big! He is so very cute!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Oh Jennifer, he has grown up so much since we saw him in person at Mousefest 2005! Thanks for sharing so many great stories!!

[ilovedisney0_0]

He is such a handsome boy! And he sounds extremely smart! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I love the picture of him with the castle in the background, at the Sword in the Stone. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Thanks for the wonderful update!

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Amy

[goofysdtr]

Thanks for the update! He's a sweetie!

[gwugirl03]

I can't believe how quickly he is growing!! He is sooo handsome. How great is it that he loves Mickey??

I adore the picture of him sitting in the drawer. Kids crack me up!

[MickeyMAC]

Jennifer he is growing up so fast. Your baby is becoming a little boy, full of wonder and excitment. Have fun watching the world through his eyes.

[TinkerBelz]

Oh GEEZ - he's ADORABLE!!

[Colexis Mom]

What great pictures Jennifer [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] He's so cute [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]