This little cutie has taught me to love more than I ever knew possible, and has also taught me that the bathroom is a fabulous place to take a 20 minute vacation. He has taught me how to pray over his safety, his future, and being Christian parents in this crazy world more than I knew I ever could. He is rambunctious, but has the most tender heart. He has a little grin that would make even the worst of days melt away. He often gets called a girl. It is mainly due to his long, blond curls, but I often tell people, "it's okay he is as pretty as one!".
He loves his brother more than anything and requests to see him as soon as he wakes up. His 24.5 lb frame loves to run outside and climb on anything and everything. He loves to play with other kids and is now doing great at the sitter and in his class at church, even though we went through a pretty severe period of separation anxiety over the last few months. He loves all food, but has a sweet tooth like his mama. His love for planes, tractors, and trucks hasn't gone away, and he loves to feed and chase our chickens. He actually got to enjoy playing in our back yard by himself for the fist time this past month. I, of course, watched him out the window the entire time but he had a blast talking to the animals, throwing sticks, and digging in the dirt. Typical boy.
Going to bed at night and nap time have gotten much more pleasant over the past two weeks in that he hasn't been screaming at his door for 30 minutes before falling asleep. Instead, he stays in his toddler bed and drifts peacefully to sleep. At nap time, he has even climbed up into bed and covered himself up with his blanket all by himself a few times.
The boy can hold a good conversation and talks very well for his age. I am told all the time that he is "hilarious" and "the life of the party". He can count to 10 and say his ABC's with the best of them.
We are currently waiting for his two years molars to come in, I believe one is pretty close.
He loves to sit on the big boy potty and has used it a handful of times. He loves it mainly because he gets chocolate or ice cream if he is successful. He is way more motivated than I am in the potty training area. A couple of days ago, we were at a public place and he kept saying, "mommy, pee pee in potty". I stubbornly acted like I didn't hear him. Honestly, I just feel like it's too hard being out in public, having two, trying to put 20 layers of toilet paper on the pot, and getting him undressed, etc. etc. to potty train right now. Before long, I will just have to give in and take him every time he tells me or he will never learn.
I believe we went through the "terrible twos" a few months back and that his tantrums are lessening. Not to say that we don't have some pretty terrible days, but he can now communicate almost anything he wants and is finally used to his brother being around.
He likes to be a helper and it very independent. Sutton will spit up and he will get a burp cloth out of the nursery and wipe Sutton's face off before I even notice. He also demands to put his clothes and shoes on by himself. Being an OT, this is right up my alley. He can always get his shorts on but usually ends up getting frustrated with his shirts and shoes so I have to help with that. Playtime still isn't very independent but he is getting better with playing by himself. He likes to show his brother how to do things like make a truck go or color on a page.
There is no place he would rather be than on a boat fishing with his daddy and Pops.
Shaw Michael, you have made us so proud over the last two years. We love you, big boy!
