Dec 26th - Reed is 2 years 5 months. While making this slideshow I had an opportunity to reflect on this last year. As I have already noted in other blogs, these posts are getting less and less frequent. Not only because life is getting more and more busy, but also, I think, because when I sit down to write it is a little overwhelming to think where to start.
His language is bursting. His motor skills and balance blow me away. His compassion for others and interest in seeing people happy is a gift. He is showing his toddler independence and resistance to following directions. Some days he is picky about what he wears and wants to stay in his pajamas.
He is speaking in full on sentences that actually make sense. The individual words are not always understandable, but in the context of the sentence, they are pretty clear (at least to us). Our favorite word right now is: Suummsy (which is excuse me) and Pweese (please). He is singing all the time - often mixing several songs together. For example, Frere Jaques combined with Baa Baa Black Sheep, with a little BINGO mixed in. It's fun to follow his lead and switch songs as we go.
Everyday when I pick him up from daycare, he runs to the other side of the room and teases "I don't want to go home" my reply is "but if you don't come home I'll miss you so much" then he laughs and laughs and lays down until I lay down and nuzzle him. He loves this game and it warms my heart that a part of him actually feels like he loves it there enough that he truly doesn't want to go home. He is the oldest kid there, and I think he is gaining in confidence as one of the leaders of the group. He is especially sweet with the youngest baby (7 months). Good practice for being an older brother.
He is becoming fascinated with my growing belly and his baby brother inside. Most of the time he likes to kiss my belly and put his ear to it stating emphatically "I hear him." He insists he too has a baby growing in his belly and often asks for me to take mine out. We are talking a lot about him being a big boy - even though much of the time I am not at all ready for him to be a big boy, it seems like time to move in that direction.
We got him a twin bed, he is almost fully potty trained (except when sleeping), and we decided to go cold turkey with his pacifier addiction. Turns out the last point is almost as hard on us as it is him - it really feels like he has lost a good friend and he calls out for him and longs to see him again. At the same time, he is very proud of himself and talks to others about how he doesn't need a baba (pacifier) anymore. Some nights are better than others, and right now is especially bad because he is not feeling well. So, it is process that has it's ups and downs, and we all miss the baba a little.
He is jumping off of higher and higher objects in the house and there is little we can do about it. He seems meant to be a climber, and is pretty sure footed and stable even up several feet on the back of the couch for example. I have learned that it is better to just make sure he is being safe but allow most adventures to happen. He is Billy's son after all.
We are struggling with the typical toddler stuff but overall still feel like we lucked out with this kid. He likes to dump all toys out in a 3 foot square radius of wherever he is in the house and does not like to put them away. He hits when he is tired or upset or doesn't feel well. He tests his limits constantly, like when I told him not to run with a screwdriver he wondered if he put it behind his back if that meant he could run. All in all he is your typical, playful, silly toddler that wants what he wants when he wants it but is also so very kind and loving and one who we think will make a great older brother.
