24 Months (and 2 days)

Sorry this is a little late. It was a busy weekend.

Appearance:

• All of your two year molars are in.  The top two are completely though but the bottoms have a bit to go.  You sometimes complain of "hurt" and stick your fingers in there.
• It's time for another haircut.
• I wonder if you've got "growing pains" as you complain of your legs hurting at night.  Today after your nap the first thing you said to me was "Freddie legs hurt." 
• Seeing 23lbs on the scale.
• You are finally at the upper height for the 12-18 month pants (mostly Gap brand) and your pants are beginning to look a bit like high waters, especially because I often need to roll the waist to get them to stay up because you're just hitting the lower weight for those 12-18 month pants. 

Diet:

• You eat an entire grilled cheese almost every day.
• French fries and "kespich" are the ultimate food.  You really only get those if we go out for lunch.
• Pancakes are another love and Dada makes an extra big batch so there are extras in the freezer for you.
• You're drinking about 10-16 ounces of milk a day.  
• The little table is the place to be.  You one day decided that you couldn't sit in your booster.  Your cry to get down was frantic but I am unsure as to what happened.  So we have conversations over meals across the room or Mama will sit with you at the little table.
• You're big on brownies and M&Ms, but not so into cake or ice cream.
• You like bagels and cream cheese but mostly prefer licking the cream cheese off the bagel.
• You like eating corn!

Personality:

• You are very much the big boy and like doing "big boy things."  After you've eaten you ask if you can "dishes kitchen?" and you bring your plate to me in the kitchen.  You also like helping do things like set the table, take out the trash, and pick up.
• You greet everyone.  You act as though you are the host at story time making sure you tell everyone good bye and thank you.
• You've begun to notice emotions of others, particularly in books, and will tell me if Tigey or your babies are "sad."  Tonight you were able to tell me the hippo in one of your books was sad because he missed his friends.  So neat to watch this develop.

Yay!  I blew out the candles.

Vocabulary:

• I love listening to your vocabulary develop.  After hearing Jessica say she was putting on her sneakers your shoes are now "sneakers," of course.  You do have the word boots so one day I may have to see how you differentiate.
• You are a talker.  You love, love, love talking and refuse to not be included in conversation.  Often you just start saying anything that comes to mind just to keep conversations going..."Seals swim.  I run fast."  
• You are singing and singing and singing and know the words.  So cute!
• You will finish the sentences in your favorite books.  You are also counting to about 12 and then it becomes a jumble, but 16 is always in there.  You can also count objects up to 4.  
• You've started using "excuse me" quite often and have expanded its use beyond burps and poots.  "Excuse me, cars.  Excuse me, train"  as you slide past them to get to the other side of the room.  Love this!  You even will use it when we get on and of the elevator at times.
• Sentences are getting longer but only important words included.  "Sorry babies Freddie splash."  No articles but you will use pronouns and occasionally prepositions.  You're fond of "underneath" and try to find ways to use the word.
• We've started to hear "Mine" and "No, no, no" so I am working on ways of expanding your vocabulary to express your message in a nicer way. 
• "Bye.  See you soon."  For some reason I love when you say this to people.
• You'll point out letters and numbers in books and on the mail and in signs and label them all "numbers."  Maybe we should start talking about letters.  You do sing "ABC."

Just finished supper, saying "cheese" with the "enough already Mom expression

Motor:

• You are quite physical and love using those grass motor muscles.  Running and jumping top the list.  You love for everyone to run and "demand" that we race pretty often.
• Your dancing now includes just about every body part, including your eyes.
• You wag that tongue when you're concentrating trying do do something.
• You are better with drawing with crayons now.  You're pushing harder and the lines are darker.
• You've finally figured out how to snap those Legos together to build things on your own.
• You're using smaller blocks to build taller towers.
• You are a proficient tricycle pedal-er now!

Likes:

• "Tickles"
• "Nuggles"
• Stealing kisses
• Jumping..."Freddie jump high, Mama."
• Reading books
• Your babies
• Racing your cars with Dada
• Big kids
• Socializing

Dislikes:

• Desperately afraid of heights....this includes things that aren't necessarily high.  

After my request that you calm down

Sleep:

• Napping 2-3 hours a day
• Night time sleep usually entails in bed about 7pm and asleep between 7.30-8.00.  
• Morning wake up usually about 6.30 am.
• You do your nighttime routine with Dada.  After taking a bath you streak through the house and find me to give me a kiss, hug, and tell me you are going to read books.  You wave good bye and tell me "See you later."  Off you go to your room to get on pjs and read books with Dada.  You close the door and act as though girls are not allowed in.

Pedaling

Concentrating on the pedals

Potty:

• You're potty trained.
• We have a handful of accidents at home during the week but only when I leave pottying 100% up to you.
• You are initiating potty trips quite often and I think you've made a breakthrough.
• You now refuse help with your undies.  It's a one man job.
• You had a streak of 3 days of wet morning diapers a few weeks ago, went back to dry for another week or so and now I am seeing a wet diaper about once a week.  They're wet, but not soaking so I'll hold off on no diapers at night for a bit.  Your sleep has been interrupted, I think in part because of your molars arriving, so I wonder if that has played a part in it.  Perhaps it will work itself out over the next few weeks.

Not sure what the new pacing of updates will be. It seems as though this is an period of so much development and change. I imagine that's the way I'll feel from here on out though.

23 Months

Appearance:

• I'm still not seeing those back molars out but you put your fingers back there pretty regularly and tell me "hurt" so I assume they're on the way.
• You look like a big boy to me.  Dada and I looked at you in bed while you were sleeping the other day and commented how big you look.  And your haircut really makes you look mature.
• You seem to be filling in as well.  
• 23 lbs on Mama's scale.
• 31.5 inches as measured by Dada's tape measure

Diet:

• Your milk drinking has decreased but I think that has a lot to do with your not having a sippy filled with milk to suck on at all times.  Milk drinking from a cup happens at the table only.  
• Milk intake has decreased but overall eating is at an all time high.  
• Bagels and cream cheese are a big favorite right now.
• You're still not much of an evening eater.

Vocabulary:

• You've started using "you" and "me" and "I."
• "Self" is a new one, and I am trying to be patient with this even when you are at your wits end with something but you still exclaim "self!"
• You're putting more and more words together on your own. 
• When I ask you if you'd like something you often say "Yea, sure."  Sometimes it's "yes, please."
• You've definitely got down the times to say "please," "thank you," and "excuse me."  The "excuse me"s crack me up and generally bring a smile to faces of strangers.
• You're starting to tell folks (other than Daddy and me) "good morning" especially when we pass them in hall or join them in the elevator.
• You're calling people by name...Papi ("Papi computer?"), Rebekah, Freddy, Reggie and Mel (our doormen who you love!).  You'll even name yourself in pictures, sometimes saying "Me" and sometimes "Freddie."

Peeling an orange.  "Freddie, Do you want help?"  "No! Self!"

Personality:

• Um, well, you're certainly everything I've heard two to be.  You're demanding, emphatic, independent, and just an all around pepper at times.  We're working to appropriately channel this without, well, squashing it.  Those aren't bad traits per se but I want you to use your powers for good, my dear.
• As often as you want to play with me you're also wanting your space.  At the little gym you have told me "Bye" and pushed me away.  And off I go to watch you from across the room.
• You really, really want to be with other kids.  I see this so strongly when we go to play at the little gym.  You may engage in an activity by yourself for a moment, but you continuously head over to try to join someone else in the activity they are involved in.  You'll help them roll the ball their pushing along or imitating their jumping or tumbling.  Sometimes the other kids don't exactly appreciate it, but when that's the case you just keep moving and find someone else to join.

Mommy, I dressed!

Backwards pants, bur did it by "self"

Motor:

• Jump, jump around!  You love to get all three of us moving, pulling us from our seats and then instructing to "Jump!"  I also think your favorite activity at the little gym is the trampoline. 
• You are into hanging and swinging and are pulling your legs up higher and higher.  Unfortunately I didn't hold onto you long enough at the gym on the bar, and when you dropped onto the mat on your back it startled you enough that you're not going back on.  For now you're sticking to the bar on the treadmill where your feel can touch the ground when you want.
• You push your chairs all over the house and climb on top of everything.
• You're working on doing tumble sets.  The head goes down, the bottom goes up, and you want to be pushed through to roll.  You get a kick out of seeing Dada roll on your rug.

Going to the "grocery to get coke"

Likes:

• The Itsy Bitsy Spider.  I hear you humming this often and you love for us to sing it together.  You especially love the "washed the spider out" part.  You say it very emphatically.
• Reading books.  You read to yourself a lot.
• Mickey Mouse.  You love those Mickey underwear.
• Pretending.  You jump in the cardboard boxes and pretend to be driving.  "Goodbye"  And then you tell me you are going to buy "coke."
• A tower of legos easily becomes a place or a rocket complete with sound effects.
• You pretend to go "night night" periodically during the day complete with snoring sounds.
• Cars and trucks
• Showing us the red bus going by
  

Dislikes:

• Heights.  You're afraid of heights.  At the gum you won't go into the raised structures.  You'll climb the steps, but head right back down.  In the tram you like to be held and will even whimper a bit as we go up or the cabin swings a little.  I don't blame you though.  Makes me uneasy as well.

Sleep:

• Daddy's been doing the bedtime routine with you.  You usually just run out and give me a hug and a kiss while gathering your blankets and Tigey.
• You've been  in the big boy bed full time for a while now.  Sometimes you ask to get in the crib, but it's usually to jump around or just check things out.  We've started talking about how you're giving this bed to the baby.
• Getting into bed routine has to start a little earlier these days because you've become to master procrastinator.  
• You're napping 2-3 hours each afternoon.
• watch and just wait, resisting the urge to go in and tell you to get back in bed this instant.  You are tired, and you know you are tired, but you're feeling out the boundaries and your independence.  I understand that.  You eventually settle yourself and drift off to sleep.
• You're sleeping from 7.30ish to 6.30ih each night.
• You have been a little restless beginning around 3 am, calling and asking for water or a sip of milk.  If we ignore your calls you usually go back to bed, but are calling again in an hour.  After your sip, you ask for a hug and a kiss and wave goodbye.  I'm hesitant to leave you with a big glass of water because I want to keep you on track to be diaper free at night in the coming months.

Potty:

• You're in diapers from 7 to 7 without accidents.
• I usually remind you to sit on the potty every 2 hours or so.
• You're telling me you have to potty more and more often so I don't have to remind you as often.
• You are so proud of your "dry" undies.  

22 Months (and 6 days)

Sorry, the holidays and travel kinda put a wrench in getting blog posts up in a timely manner.  We're back to it, so stay tuned.

Motor:

• Your jump is looking more and more like a real jump!
• You're pedaling your tricycle!  You'd be better if your legs were longer.  Must get you blocks soon because I think you'd like to pedal up and down the hallway this winter.
• You like to hang.  You grab onto a bar on the treadmill, pull up your feet, and swing back and forth.  You'll also grab onto open drawers and try to dangle there.
• You're really good at running.  Sometimes I think you're going to wipe out running down the hall, but you usually recover.
• Your fine motor skills are improving.  You've got a fair amount of control with pencils, crayons, and markers.  You hold them just like I do...imagine that.

Vocabulary:

• Your vocabulary expands with several new words each day.  The word that I like best from the past few days is "Delicious!"
• You're much better about using your words instead of pointing or whining, but sometimes you need to be reminded.
• You've got "Please" down but you're still a bit confused on when exactly to use "Thank you" and "Your welcome" 
• You're also saying "excuse me."  It made me giggle when you said it after a big burp the other day.
• I love when you say "cheers"
• And you are on when it comes to "bless you" after sneezes.
• You are putting more and more words together on your own.  The other day you told me "Dada work"
• You've definitely got a few phrases down that you here around the house:  let's see, where are you, here ya go, hold you, here it is.

Diet:

• Everything tastes better if there is a toothpick in each bite.
• You've been asking for juice a lot more often lately.  
• Your eating is still hot and cold...sometimes you eat a lot and sometimes you don't.  I'm not making an issue of it.
• You ask for "noodles" pretty often.
• Your absolute favorite treat is M&Ms.
• You're asking for "snacks" now which makes me smile.  Your idea of a snack is pirate booty or cereal.
• You seem to have given up milk lately and ask for lots of water.  Not sure if this is a phase or what.  I also wonder if it is really about not wanting the sippy cup anymore since I usually give you milk in the sippy and water in a cup.

Likes:

• People, especially kids.  You tell everyone in the elevator hello, and walk up to kids and wave and greet them.
• Books.  You are always up for a story and love looking at books by yourself as well.
• Drawing, especially with markers.
• Bathtime
• Slippers
• Dancing
• You are really into having your picture taken lately.

Dislikes:

• Cold weather, and I can't blame you.
• Other than that, I really can't think of anything in particular you're not so find of.

Personality:

• You are very outgoing and say hello to just about everyone.  You're a bit timid around men at times, but even if you don't greet them with a big "Hi-ya" you usually at least offer a "goodbye" with a wave.
• I saw you express fear this month.  You did not want to pass the walruses at the aquarium at all.  And Mama foolishly let you watch Rudolph and the abominable snowman sent you running into the other room in tears.  You have been showing lots of caution when it comes to heights, especially climbing the equipment at the big playground but it hasn't been emotional fear as in these two instances.
• If you don't get your way you have this screech.  I usually just ignore it and it doesn't last long.

Sleep:

• You're in the big boy bed full time these days.
• Daddy has been doing the night time routine with you and he's prone to staying with you until you fall asleep.   He said he'll undo this bad habit after the new year, but for now he thinks his boy needs a little extra TLC to make this transition.
• You had one napping meltdown with Mama before the holidays, getting out of the bed, and standing behind your door crying.  It took three rounds of me bringing you back to bed and giving you a kiss before you gave in and settled yourself.  Much easier than I thought, although I think we may be in for some bumps after we settle back into a routine after so much holiday travelling.

Potty:

• We're still keeping you pantsless when home and diapering when out.
• You rarely ask to potty but I do see you make your way to the potty pretty often when you are pantsless.  
• I get you on the potty first thing in the morning, first thing after nap, before nap, and before bed.  I also get you on there before we leave the house and as soon as we return so I suppose with all of those "scheduled" sits on the potty you really don't need many other visits.
• Trying to decide how to transition to getting clothing on your bottom!

21 Months

Motor:

• Jump!  You love jumping and you're getting better about both feet leaving the ground simultaneously.
• You're walking down the stairs now completely unassisted, always right foot first.  Going upstairs, it's always left foot first.
• You're getting better at getting the puzzle pieces in.  You are able to match but sometimes turning those pieces just right is tricky.
• You're starting to show some interest in stacking and building with blocks.  You'll build a few towers, 10-12 blocks high, and then take great pleasure in knocking them over.
• You've just about given up your sip cup.  You've got great control with a cup.

Vocabulary:

• You're just starting to put words together..."more gummies."
• You're beginning to say "please."
• You call your heinie your "bum."

Diet:

• You've been a big eater this week, but other than that you're still pretty picky.
• You consume most, if not all of your calories before nap time.

Appearance:

• You have the longest eyelashes ever.  
• We're seeing 22.5 on the scale pretty regularly.  I need to find a new doctor for you and get some more accurate measurements.
• Your hair is filing in and getting thicker.

Likes:

• Brushing your teeth is probably your favorite activity.  We brush every morning together and then I hear the water running and hear you shouting for toothpaste. 
• You are really into climbing on the chairs and ask to be on the stools.  It's pretty difficult to keep anything out of your reach.
• You love, love, love Bambi.  I love when you get up to dance around the room when the music plays. 
• "Cheese" you tell me when you hold up the camera or the phone to "take a picture."
• You're a football fan.
• You've been giving a lot of raspberries on bellies. You'll come over and lift up my shirt to get to my belly.
• You love coloring with your markers and thankfully you understand this can only happen when you're strapped in your seat.

Dislikes:

• You're not so fond of the big slide at the older kids' play area. I wonder if you're afraid of heights.  You always ask for someone to accompany you to the top and down the slide.

Personality:

• You are so outgoing lately.  you step into the elevator and say "hello" to whoever walks in.  you especially lie to greet the doorman.
• You are so giggly and giddy and dart around the playground finding things to amuse yourself.

Sleep:

• Still sleeping 7-6 and 7-7 some days if I'm lucky!
• You're napping 2.5-3 hours most days, but you have discovered the joys on jumping on the bed and will hang onto the crib rail and jump nonstop for an hour or more before deciding to nap.

Potty:

• You are a potty superstar!
• Every poop goes in the potty, even in a new place you had not problems hoping up on the potty and taking care of business.
• Yesterday you pooped in the potty, hopped off, asked for your diaper back on, and then decided you weren't done.  You went back into the bathroom and put the seat back on and said "more."  Sure enough, you made more.
• You're pooping 2-3 times a day.
• Although you aren't asking to pee on the potty I find your diaper to be dryer and dryer each day and you pee more and more on the potty when you get up there to poop.

20 Months

Motor:

• You've been trying to put on sweaters and shirts by yourself, but without much luck.  I am not sure when you'll be dressing yourself.  It seems pretty involved.
• You're pretty physical.  You like outdoor activity.  You've got good balance and are good at climbing.
• Your overhand throw is getting pretty fierce.  You are like taking turns throwing the ball back and forth and are interested in learning how to catch.
• You're great on the stairs, going up and down on your own.  Usually you'll attempt going off the last stair without holding on while I squint my eyes and hold my breath.  You do pretty well though.
• You're using utensils more and more.
• You have started to show a lot of interest in your puzzles.  You can match the pieces with the pictures but turning the chunky pieces to fit in the spots is still a little tricky.
• You've got great form when holding pencils and pens.  You'll scribble here and there...on paper, thank goodness.  I will probably encourage this more this winter when we're looking for some indoor activities.
• You're jumping.  Sort of.  You exclaim "jump" and your feet leave the ground, but it's still a little awkward looking.
• You really want to pedal your bike.  It would help if your legs were longer.  I really, really, really need to find some blocks for those pedals.

Vocabulary:

• Your vocabulary is probably about 50-70 words right now. 
• You talk all the time.
• You are still telling little babble stories with giggles interjected here and there.
• I have to listen very carefully because there is usually at least one recognizable word in there.
• Some of new words that I can remember from the past few weeks:  train, ghost, bump, jump, bum (your bottom), bridge, baby,
• You will now pick up books and use names or words from the book when flipping through.  

Diet:

• Still loving pizza.  Mama whips up pizza in toaster oven:  English muffin, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese.
• You still like to eat things you can dip...chips and guacamole, chips and queso, apples and peanut butter, pretzels and peanut butter, french fries and ketchup.
• You're drinking about 8 ounces of milk and 8 ounces of pediasure a day.  You *love* pediasure.
• You ask for lots of bites (bite, bite, bite) but often scrunch your nose and turn your head when the bite hits your lips.
• You typically don't eat anything after nap and before bed.  You suck down the pediausre after nap and you may have a bite or two of something at supper time, but for the most part, all of your calories come before noon.

Appearance:

• Seeing 21.5 on the scale.  Sometimes it's 21 and sometimes 22.  I'd like to get you on a doctor's scale to check that out.
• Your locks are getting long with a few flippy curls in back.  I think I may get brave and give you a trim this week.

Likes:

• You love other kids, especially the bigger kids.  You tend to gravitate to a few of the older boys (2.5 years old) at the playground.  I think it's mostly because they understand the game of chase.  You can give a screech and take off and they know to chase you.  
• You're wanting to sleep in the big boy bed.  For now we're reading books in there.  Mama's not quite ready for you to be out of the crib.  Well, I'm not quite ready for the challenge of getting you to stay in the bed.  I suppose I need to follow your lead and go ahead and make the transition.
• You seem to be pretending...or imitating.  You will put a bag over your shoulder and kiss me goodbye and walk out the door, just like Daddy does.

Dislikes:

• Waiting.  You get whiny and no one likes that.  We've been working on you asking for help rather than falling to pieces.
• After 20 months of it, you still howl when you get your hair rinsed in the tub.

Personality:

• You've gotten much better at sharing.  You are pretty firm with people taking things that you're using but if I ask you to give something up and find something else to do for a while you usually oblige without a fuss.
• You giggle, a lot.
• Although you can be shy, I think overall you are pretty outgoing.  This is a challenge for your shy mama since I usually have to engage with others as well if you want to be in the mix of things.

Sleep:

• Although we've been off schedule a little lately you're getting back to the routine.  
• Still down at 7pm for about 11-12 hours each night.
• Napping for 2 hours in the middle of the day.
• I have noticed you spend more time awake in your crib when I put you down.  Sometimes you lie there for a while "resting" before you finally give in to sleep.
• You've developed some "stall" techniques during our bedtime routine.  You definitely take an extended amount of time when selecting books.  The latest is you tell me you have to poo once you're in the crib.  Even though you're able to squeeze out a little pee if I sit you on the potty I am not falling for it any more!  We go potty before and after nap, my love.  That's the new routine.

Potty:

• You'll indicate you want to sit on the potty every once in a while.  
• You prefer the big potty now.
• I'm wondering if privacy is an issue with using the potty.  You'll tell me bye, close your door, and poop.  Hmmm...
• Standing while peeing is definitely an issue.  
• I don't really ask very often if you want to potty.  But when I do you oblige about 50% of the time and usually squeeze out a bit of pee.
•