Perhaps the thing that I most love is listening to you communicate. Your speech and word choice just melt my heart. I'm so happy that you're talking, and though there are still times that we don't know what you are telling us, you're determined for us to understand by using body language and pointing to assist. Usually, between dad, Vera and I, we can figure out what you're saying. Some of my favorite word-choices so far...
*wee-bole-dole = wheelbarrow
*ehh-buddy = everybody
*whoa-doh = yogurt, your favorite
*Tah Chee = Cottage cheese, another fav
*I know how. = You're always saying this, whether it's putting shoes on, eating, getting dressed, you're definitely showing your independence
*"Rib-dit" = ribbit, when acting like a frog
*"Bub-der-tie" = butterfly
*Eh-nee = Annie. I love listening to you say her name
*Baydee Papa = Grammie and Papa
*Aub-dee = Aubrey, your sweet baby cousin
*Vera is still Vey. This may stick.
*You have trouble with "f" sound, so you usually compensate with a "t" sound; therefore, field is "tield" and flower is "tower." I remember Vera doing exactly the same thing.
*"What him name?" "Who dat people?" "Where you at?" = daily questions from you
*You still leave off the ending sounds of many words, especially one-syllable words. "Joo" is juice. "Tan-bah" is sand box. I'm hoping you will develop this as you grow. There's just so many words and sounds to learn!
You are such a hard worker. If there's some work to be done, you're always ready to help. When we mulched the yard, you were so diligent in filling your small wheelbarrow and dumping it in the assigned place in the flower bed. When there's work to be done in the garden, you're right next to your dad helping. You like to wash vehicles and equipment, you're so good at helping pick up sticks, and if we need a tool for something, you like to have your own. When I did some house cleaning and moved furniture, you were so good at helping push furniture, scoot things out of the way, and place the furniture sliders under the legs of the heavy pieces.
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| Grammie & Papa lost a tree in a storm at the beginning of summer. We helped cut & clean up the limbs after the storm. You spent the entire next day chainsawing everything you could. I think you had dreams about trees in storms and chain saws for a night or two because that is ALL you talked about for 2 days. |
Sometimes you're still pretty picky about eating. Two foods that I know you'll always eat are yogurt and sausage. You've been known to eat cottage cheese for breakfast because you just love that stuff! You like grapes, blueberries and strawberries, but you refuse to eat bananas. You will not eat eggs or any kind of potato. Vegetables are hit and miss, but usually not your thing. You also don't like chicken real well. If it weren't for ranch dressing, you wouldn't eat many kinds of meat. "Dip dip" is a necessity for you and your older sister.
I love watching you play with Vera. You are both at a stage where you play and pretend well together. Listening to you talk to Vera makes my heart smile. Your younger sister, however, is your nemesis. The two of you fight daily, and because of this, your little sis is pretty tough and strong-willed.
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| This is your crazy face. |
You've met a few milestones recently. You finally decided to pedal your tricycle, although I'm convinced that you're faster-moving with your "Fred Flintstone style" of pedaling. Hopefully you've realized that pedaling is much more convenient and less tiresome on your little body. You also had your first dentist visit this week. You were not fond of the idea one bit, but when you got there you fared well. You sat on mom's lap in the big dental chair and held your mouth open wide for the cleaning and exam. You were terrified, however, of the suction straw. We opted for a water-rinse using a cup instead of the blue straw. You also were so excited to receive two new toothbrushes and a toy truck prize. Since the dental visit, brushing your teeth has become a lot more pleasant for mom and exciting for you.
I have 2 goals for you this summer: potty training & going to bed alone. On the potty training front, you're doing awesome at keeping your undies dry and telling us when you have to go. But, you still have regular accidents with #2. We've offered so many incentives and none of them seem to appeal to you. Cleaning your dirty underwear is disgusting and frustrating for your mom. You will break soon, I know it!
Laying with you for naps and at bedtime is making slow progress. Sometimes for naps, I can convince you to lay down by yourself. But, at bedtime, especially when you're really tired, it's hard to get you to settle down. You scream and cry and try to climb out of bed. While I sometimes feel very frustrated laying down with you, I have to document that I would've missed out on some pretty sweet moments. I will never forget your tiny, surprise kisses on my cheek as I lay with my eyes closed waiting for you to fall asleep. Your quiet voice often would say "Love you, miss you!" If I hadn't laid with you in the evenings, I would've never known that you can sing "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee" all by yourself. All of these memories make my heart swell. You really are a sweet boy! However, sweet moments aside, I look forward to the day that I can tuck you in to your bed and say goodnight. Your deadline is the last day of summer!
You are most certainly my boy. I can convince you to do something way sooner than your dad can. Though you still have meltdown moments, I can usually reason with you before other adults. When you're scared of the Big Bad Wolf, the Wizard or the Black Cat in your bedroom at night, I can calm your fears so you can sleep. You prefer to have mom put you to bed over dad, and mom has a way of getting you to lay down without a big, screaming fit. Dad loves to play with you and have your help, but you'll choose my lap over dad's almost every time. You give the best hugs when I ask for them. I'll take it for as long as I can; you certainly have my heart!
Love you big, buddy!
-Mom-
