Last Month

In exactly one month, Ian will turn 3 years old. Although the changes in him seem more subtle to me at this point, evidently he's really opening up a lot more at church because his Sunday School and Wee Worship teachers keep making comments to me lately about how much he's talking. He's been talking our ears off at home for many months, but it seems he must have been pretty quiet at church until the last few weeks. Ian has definitely been a more challenging child to parent than Nadia has ever been. It took 2.5 years for him to learn to take a nap, and we're still working on teaching him to eat. He's also far more impetuous and defiant. I grow weary at times with the constant reminders to not pull hair, shove, hit, grab, throw things, etc. He also is able to tune me out very easily. It takes quite a bit to get his attention at times and get him to follow instructions. Gymanstics class did NOT go well last week. Hopefully it will go better this week. I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. Hopefully these efforts to teach Ian to be kind to his sister and obey his mom and dad will pay off in the long run. Ian attacks life with great gusto. That can be a great thing if that energy is channeled in positive directions.

Here are a few random tidbits about Ian at 35 months old:

1. He currently sleeps with 2 stuffed animals - LarryBoy (that Gabby gave him) and a dragon (that Nadia bought with her Bible bucks in Sunday School many months ago - thankfully she doesn't miss it)

2. His "lovey" is a small blanket that has cars on it.

3. He often sleeps with his head facing the foot of the bed (doesn't use either of the pillows that are in his bed).

4. He often wakes up so sweaty that his hair is drenched.

5. Foods that he enjoys eating right now: bagels, bananas, cookies, Ritz crackers, chocolate cake, fruit snacks, strawberry Pop Tarts, cereal bars, applesauce, cream of wheat, toast with jelly, Cocoa Puffs, Trix, hot dogs, peaches, pears, and coconut milk yogurt.

6. Foods that we are currently working on teaching him to eat: peas, carrots, green beans, creamed corn, beef stew, and baked beans. Next on the list will be pasta (which currently he can't stand).

7. He's gotten oh so much braver at the playground. He loves going down slides.

8. He rode on a horse on the carousel last week. Normally he just wants to be held in my arms. He still found that to be a bit scary though.

9. He loves Oliver very, very much. He pats Oliver's head and tells me he's "petting" him. I keep trying to explain we pet cats and dogs, not baby brothers. Ha ha!

10. When asked what he wants for Christmas he either responds with "Cocoa Puffs" or "cars." He definitely doesn't have the "gimmes" yet like Nadia does right now.

11. He really, really wants to go to Cubbies. I feel badly that he has to wait until he's 3.9 years old to go. There are definitely advantages to Nadia for having a summer birthday.

12. Two of his favorite authors right now are Dave Ramsey and Eric Carle.

13.  At least once a day he makes a comment to me about the fact that he's glad I'm home and not at the doctor any more (hospital) because he was sad. Breaks. My. Heart.

14. His favorite shirt is a long sleeve orange polo shirt.

15. If I initiate a hug or a kiss, he usually says either "I love you, too" or "thank you very much." He's a cuddler!

16. Ian had one accident the first week that he slept in his underwear. He had 3 accidents the second week. Thus far he hasn't had any this week bringing the total to 12/16 mornings have been successful. Two of those "successes" his underwear was damp and he peed on the potty as soon as he got up. The first week he was able to stay dry and sleep until 7:00am or later, but ever since the time change it seems he either gets up too early (and is dry) or sleeps in until 7:00 or later and has an accident. I'll take getting up too early over cleaning up poopy underwear and pjs.