Drake - 27 Months

(I am already so behind on posting this, if I wait until I actually take pictures of him, he'll be three, so up it goes with no pictures).

Second child problems – I completely spaced doing a “Drake Lately” post in August! I’ll do one for where we are at today, because who knows what he was up to last month. Here’s what Drake is up to right now:

-          His speech is off the charts. I looked back at Chloe’s post at this age and how her language was very basic. Drake has been talking for quite some time now, and every once in a while he will say something and I will stop and count how many words he just put together. I will say I think his vocabulary has kicked into overdrive though and sometimes he stumbles to get the right words out. I remember Chloe went through this phase too and occasionally he’ll start saying “I,I,I” over and over before moving onto what he really wants to say. Something else that he is really good at saying is I love you. That may sound so basic, but Chloe had the hardest time saying those words for some reason. It came out as “weave we” for the longest time, so the fact that I can hear his sweet little voice say “I yuff you Mommy” before bedtime melts my heart every time. And out of nowhere at dinner last night, he started singing his ABCs! We haven't taught him that, so he must have picked it up at school the few times he's been already. I was very impressed!-

-          He has his moments when he likes to torment the dogs. I don’t correct him as quickly as I should because I know most of the time he’s not hurting them, but I also don’t want him to go too far one day and one of them snap back and bite him. He just gets ornery sometimes, and that goes for his sister too. As their relationship seems to have always been and probably will continue being, they are either best friends or enemies. When it’s good, it’s great, but when it’s bad, it’s pretty rotten. He loves to do whatever she does and I can see that getting real old for her in the next couple of years when she’s “too cool for him.” His new favorite thing when he gets mad is to put his chin down, furrow his eyebrows, and cross his arms over his chest. In the last couple of days he’s added rolling his eyes into the mix. It is quite the sight, and I’ve tried a few times to get a picture, but as you can imagine I’m never prepared when he does it. And when I ask him to do it again later, he does, but smiles at the same time. 

-          Drake continues to be an awesome sleeper. I was a little worried once he started school how that would affect his schedule, but we’ve been good so far. The only difference is he (and Chloe) are both waking up much earlier than they ever have before. He usually starts his day around 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. On days we are home, he’ll go down for a nap around 1:30 and sleep for about two hours. On days he has school, he doesn’t go down until 2:30. Now that the days are getting shorter and school has started, bed time is typically around 8:00 or 8:30 at the very latest. He is super easy to put down, I sing him some songs and/or read a couple books, put him in his bed, and then sit with him for a minute holding his hand. No one else holds his hand, but I started that when he was sleeping on the floor a few months back and I’ve just continued it. Speaking of, he’s been back in his crib for four months now and has not attempted to climb out once. Hallelujah!! 

-          As with Chloe, we have not given potty training a serious attempt. I’ve mentioned it a couple times lately, but he is not interested in the slightest. He does not like going without pants, let alone a diaper, so I don’t imagine we will push him. 

-          He is still a good eater, but probably eats more snacks than he should. Now that Chloe can open the pantry door, she often goes and gets both her and Drake snacks throughout the day. He eats breakfast better on days he has school than Chloe ever did which is nice. Based off his pediatrician’s standards, he’s eating plenty of good food throughout the week. 

-          Drake started school at the beginning of September. The first and second day the drop off went well. The third when JJ took him he got a bit teary, and the fourth time it was a total meltdown when I had to hand him over. Thankfully the fifth time was much better; he did grab for my hand but basically just led me to his classroom and walked right in, and JJ said the sixth drop off went well too. His teachers say he’s doing a great job and he’s such a sweet, funny kid. I see him being the class clown in the future. 

-          He still fits perfectly on my lap, so many times when we are watching TV, he will crawl right onto my lap and assume his position. That has made Chloe want to sit in my lap more, but she is just too tall and heavy to comfortably sit on me for any length of time. He lets me rub his head or smother him in kisses whenever I want because gosh darn it he’s my baby and I love him to pieces! He has the best laugh and loves to be tickled.

Drake is TWO!!

Turtle P. My baby, my spit fire personality, where do I even start? I’ve said it over the last few months as I’ve written your posts, but you are no longer a baby. You have turned into a little boy. It’s hard to imagine though because at this point with your sister, you were already here so she instantly grew up into a little girl whereas with you, there is no one younger so it seems my baby you always will be. I have a feeling it will be hard for me to break away from babying you. I think it’s a mom thing when it comes to her sons. Or maybe it’s because you are my second and last child. Whatever it may be, you fit so perfectly in my lap right now and I never want that to change. 
When I describe you to people, I say that you are all boy. You jump, you run, you throw, you like to get dirty, you’re stubborn. But then I’ll come home from work and you’ll scream “mommy!” and run up and give me the biggest hug and kiss. I love that you have such extremes - it completely fits your personality. You give the best cuddles and for that I am so thankful. It allows me to feel like you need me; whether it’s a lap to sit on, a hug after your world ultimately shattered due to not getting a particular toy, or a kiss on an owie. You still make it very obvious that you need me and I will soak it up for as long as I can.

We didn’t go all out this year and throw you a party. This year your birthday falls the day before Memorial Day, and I’m realizing how hard it could be to organize parties in the future with a birthday that falls on a holiday weekend. Instead, we are having my side of the family over for cake and ice cream, and I think that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate you.

You have been cracking us up lately with some of your sayings. There is no doubt you got this from your sister, but your new favorite phrase is “what in the world?!” and you use it appropriately too. If you hear or see something weird, that’s the first thing out of your mouth. If daddy is tickling you or sissy is chasing you, you’ll say “leave me ah-yone!” and we can’t help but smile and think you are adorable the way you say alone. You’ll say you missed us after we’ve been gone, or if we are getting ready to leave you’ll say you will miss us. You also love to call out for people saying “sissy where are you” or the dogs, or whoever.

Separation anxiety kicked in full force about a month ago. My only guess is it stemmed from you crawling out of your crib. You used to be so incredibly easy to put down for naps or bed time; we’d read books, sing songs, I’d lay you down and say night night, I love you, and walk out. Then all of a sudden you would stand up and freak out if one of us attempted to leave the room! You would scream, cry, yell, it was terrible. Then once we’d come back, we’d have to sit there and hold your hand until you were completely asleep. It also spilled over into more of our everyday too. If I tried to leave a room, you would cling to me. After we got home from our vacation last week I decided to put the front back on your crib and turn it around up against the wall. So far (knock on all the wood) it’s working, but you still want to hold our hands until you are asleep, or at least almost there. 

Your memory is really good. You sing all of the songs with me each night before bed. You don't know them word for word necessarily, but you always chime in with the last couple words of each line at the very least. And the other day you had a piece of a train track in your hand and I said choo choo. From there, you recited a book we read before bed. I was amazed and called daddy in so he could hear you do it too.
I can't believe we are closing the chapter on your second year. If I had to guess, this next year will be full of smiles, belly laughs, tears (from us all) more stubbornness, more independence, but most of all, love. May you never doubt how much we love you sweet boy.You have completed our family more than we ever thought possible.

Happy 2nd birthday, Drake!!

Chloe Lately

I can’t believe your first year of preschool is coming to an end. You have one more week left before summer break, and I think you are really going to miss it. I am so happy with how well you adapted to the new schedule, something that was completely different for you, and how well you’ve thrived. Because I know you enjoy structured settings like that so well now, we have signed you up for three week long camps this summer that you will attend with at least one, if not more friends. 

I slacked at taking pictures this time, so I pulled from cell phone pictures I had.

 A project from school that brought tears to my eyes.

I need to get better about doing arts and crafts at home with you because that seems to be one of your favorite activities at school. Thanks to the suggestion from a friend, I bought you a huge tub of beads and some pipe cleaners, and you have spent a lot of time in the last week making beautiful necklaces. 

You want to succeed in everything you do. Of course you are in an independent stage, and if you can’t get something just right, you get upset. The two examples that stick out in my mind right now are riding your tricycle and learning how to tie a bow. The trike, your legs are still just too short. You can go down the hill just fine, but can’t make it back up and boy does it make you mad. And yesterday I had a robe on and you wanted to see the bow. I showed you how to do it and after a few failed attempts from you, you got pretty upset. It just takes practice, sweetheart. I love that you want everything to be just right, but you’ve also got to learn to cut yourself some slack. 

You continue to do well sleeping in your big girl bed, although a handful of times you’ve fallen out in the middle of the night. Naps, thank goodness, are still around but it’s about 60/40 whether you actually sleep on any given day. We are back to daddy putting you to bed at night and I know you are happy about that.

I’ve tried to hint at the idea of doing away with pull ups at nap time, but when I mention it to you, you say no and go get one to put on. Yesterday however, when I asked you to get one you said no, that you didn’t need one. And you know what? You stayed dry! I think I will continue to ask and talk up the fact that you don’t need them anymore, but somewhat make it your call. We’ll see how it goes. And we’re not even close to doing away with them overnight yet.

I’ve really enjoyed watching your relationship with your brother grow. You guys really are best friends, but like always, there are good times and bad times. You two can come up with various games to play and ways to entertain yourselves. You’ll get the best laughs out of each other, but also sometimes cause the biggest tears. You have been really sweet lately asking Drake if he’s okay wherever he might be, or praising him when he does something right, and now that he likes to be independent too and walk everywhere, you always hold his hand. You can’t wait for the day that you guys can have a sleepover in your room. 

We are realizing how easy we’ve had it with you. Your brother isn’t quite so easy, and for that I want to thank you. Often times we’ve caught ourselves holding you back because if you do something, Drake immediately has to copy you, and that’s not fair to you. Little things like hopping down the steps, or walking on a curb, things that you should be able to try if you want – we’re working on that. We still have our struggles with attitude and listening, but you’re 3 – it’s to be expected. 

You have come out of your shell so much recently. We went to a volleyball park a couple weeks ago and you would just go up to groups of kids and start playing. At the house, you’ll stand on the curb and beg to go play with the kids across the street (that we haven’t met yet). I finally let you go a couple days ago, and both you and your brother fit right in. I need to let my own insecurities go and be willing to meet new friends as much as you are. 

23 Months - Drake

Here we are yet again – another monthly update and the last one before our baby turns TWO! Thankfully minus a snotty nose you had a couple days this week, this month has been much healthier than last. It never gets old coming home from work, or even just running an errand, and having you hear the door open and come running to give me a bear hug around the legs as you yell “mommmmmyyyyy!” You are such a happy little guy most of the time. We can’t get enough of your giggles whether it’s from something you and your sister are doing together, or us tickling you, your whole face just lights up when you smile. 

 Your vocabulary continues to expand and you are saying some two to three word sentences now. Some of my favorites are “where are you” as you play the game of looking for someone, “love you,” “see you soon,” and oh yes, “sorry mommy.” It took Chloe FOREVER to say “I love you” clearly so the fact that you are able to say it already amazes me. Every night as I’m leaving your room, I turn around and say night night and I love you, and you repeat them both and wave to me. Instant heart melt right there, I tell ya.

We’ve noticed in the last week that you have started throwing all of your blankets and animals out of your crib once you wake up, and have even seen you hike your leg a few times. Why must you attempt to climb out of your crib?? I am nowhere near ready to have you in a toddler bed, so let’s just stay put, shall we?  There were two times this past month that you didn’t nap. Once was when you fell asleep for 20 minutes on the way home that ruined your nap (I never thought I’d see the day) and the second time I’m not sure what was up with you. The sitter put you down, and I don’t think she turned on your fan, so maybe that was it? Who knows, but otherwise you continue to sleep great for both naps and at bedtime. 

You are so ready to go to school. You get really excited the night before sissy goes thinking you get to go too. Occasionally when you do go, you are happy to give her hugs and kisses, then make your rounds on the inside play equipment, then wave goodbye to everyone you pass. It may be a different story next fall though when you are left behind and mommy leaves. For now though, school seems pretty cool in your eyes.

We have upped your repertoire of bedtime stories, and again thanks to Pete the Cat and Llama Llama, you can point out the letters l, m, a, i, o, and e and you can count to 12. You tend to skip some of the odd numbers, but have said all the numbers up to 12 before several times. You have become a back seat driver, and anytime we stop, you yell “GO!” If you could play outside all day every day, you would. And you always have to be just one step behind your sister. If she does something, you will do it too.

I’d say overall the two of you have gotten along better together this past month and the tantrums haven’t been quite as severe. Although, we interviewed with an in-home daycare last week and you threw multiple tantrums. Looking back, you ended up with a cold the next day and it was dinner time so those may have played a role, but it was quite embarrassing. On the other hand, I’m glad she got to see that side of you, because I’m sure she’ll see it again if you start going there. You’ve also gotten spanked a couple times on the bottom. There, I said it. I can only remember once or twice that Chloe has been spanked by JJ or myself, but with you it has happened more often. Still not a lot, more than I’d like to admit (which would be zero), but sometimes we just don’t know what else to do when you get in these moods of throwing your full dinner plate on the floor or have other inconsolable fits.

And so as not to end on a negative note, here are some pictures of that cute face that lights up when he smiles.

22 Months - Drake

My little spitfire! You are 22 months old today. I have a post in the works on the differences between you and your sister, so I’ll try not to hit on all of those in this post. But let’s just say you are making it very clear you are your own person, and you are quite the opposite of her. That makes it fun, but also trying at times. 

Your independence is off the charts. We went to dinner a couple weeks ago and you sat in your own chair without a booster seat. You did so well so I  went ahead and broke out the booster seat for meals at home and you like it. You do very well sitting in it, although we are strapping you in for now. I’m not sure if it improved meal time that much though.  You can now climb up on the bar stools at the kitchen counter and love to sit on your feet hanging out up there with sissy. I think you feel like a cool, big kid. Now that the weather has warmed up, you’ve also mastered climbing up the slide and ladder. I still don’t like letting you do it without my hand nearby, but if you see I’m close, you stop and say “me” or “myself” and get frustrated. Whew, it’s hard letting go. And you continue to go down the stairs on your own.

You are still throwing things and you’ve started yelling. Like really yelling. Usually it’s towards Chloe or Sammy but you’ll yell “stop,” “no,” “get out,” just to name a few. I’m sad to say I think you got that from us. Chloe didn’t yell like that, but there wasn’t as much yelling in the house when it was just her and she was your age. It is a work in progress for all of us. The tantrums still happen regularly where you’ll drop to the floor if you don’t get your way. Again, this isn’t something we dealt with with Chloe so we aren’t exactly sure how to handle it. A few times it’s made us question are we missing something, is there a behavioral issue, or is this just typical toddler behavior?

This seems to have been the month for being sick. You had a horrible cough for about a week and the raspiest cry ever. You were so whiny and I know it’s because you didn’t feel good. You no sooner got over that and then last Friday woke up from your nap with a 103 fever randomly. You were so lethargic and spent most of the weekend on my lap asleep. I soaked up the cuddles for sure, but I hate seeing you under the weather. I finally decided to take you to the doctor on Saturday because you’d also had a diaper rash that we couldn’t kick, but the strep and flu tests came back negative so it’s just one of the many viruses going around right now. 

You have an obvious love for trains so we’ve decided to decorate your room in a train theme. I’m excited to get working on that. You also enjoy watching movies and your favorites right now are Big Hero Six and Book of Life.

We changed up the bedtime routine just slightly this month. We read Frozen, Llama Llama, and Pete the Cat, you ask me to sing Rudolph and then a couple other songs. After two songs, you flip over and rest your head on my shoulder and let my rock you. Once you fell asleep and then at least once more this past weekend, but I won’t count that since you were sick. Then we’ll stand up and I’ll sing a “night night Turtle P” song I made up, put you in bed, and that’s it. You continue to be very easy when it comes to sleeping, both at nap time and bed time. 

Thanks to reading Pete the Cat, you know “zero” the letter B, and can count to four. Every circle you see (usually the letter O) you think is a zero so it makes it take twice as long to get through the book since you have to point out the “zeros” and the B’s. You get pretty proud though and I’m proud of you too!

You are cutting your four canine teeth but we’ve never noticed bad behavior, sleeping, eating habits when you are teething. I think these are the last teeth you have to come in besides your two year molars. 

When we are out places, you are such a charmer. If I’m holding you and people try and talk to you, you usually bury your head into my shoulder at first, but then you look back and start talking. Your favorite thing to do is to wave and say bye bye. Again with the independence piece, you prefer to walk on your own now. I don’t always let you, but if I do, you are usually good about holding either my hand or sissy’s.

Well that about wraps things up for this month! I didn’t get many pictures because crabby has been your middle name the past couple of days, but I was able to snap a few.