2018 Updates - Pumpkin

Pumpkin, age 2. 

OMG. This kid is a riot. He is talking so much with his favorite subjects being ‘dinoRoars’, McDonalds (fries and chick’n nuggets), Duggee and ‘hipad’ (iPad). He no longer says Yesh for Yes but still says Chee-its (Cheezits) ahpops (lollipops) and appsauce (applesauce). He absolutely hates going to bed and cries every single night. He only eats about four things in the entire world and most of them can be found at his favorite restaurant. He loves being chased by people, being tickled, being left alone and, apparently, I am one of the few people that can give him a bath without having him cry. His dimples. His dimples and smile will stop your breath and make you forget what a two-year old he can be. He’s still pretty quick to swing between laughing and temper tantrums but I’m hoping he will even out in another year or so. I tell people he’s a really happy guy, until he isn’t and he’s willing to try anything, unless he isn’t. He’s pretty stubborn and will cry for long stretches of time even if there is no change in his situation. He cried (screamed) for 45 minutes during his first swim lesson, standing at the side of the pool looking at me. It was pretty intense. He doesn’t like to give hugs or kisses until the few times he catches you off guard by doing it and then they are the sweetest gifts in the world. He likes performing and being the center of attention but he, also, loves, loves, loves his older brother. They are Pete and Repeat, and Pumpkin will follow the kid all over the house. Luckily, Sweat Pea doesn’t mind the adulation and likes having a friend he can boss around…until he can’t.

Pumpkin loves reading books about dragons or fighting, he loves watching Godzilla and King Kong movies with his godfather and loves wearing dinosaur or Hulk t-shirts. He is the first of the boys to care about what he wears and protests when we try to take something off that is a favorite, even if it is long sleeved dinosaur pajamas in 100 degree heat. He plays with cars, superheroes, bubbles and dinosaurs. He loves “fighting” with you, playing hide-and-seek, chasing and being chased. He’s in the stage where he’s my shadow at times. Protesting that he wants me to change his diaper (thanks), me to fill his water (thanks), watch tv with him, and go wherever I am going. Speaking of water, he drinks more than a grown man after being stranded on a desert island. It is unceasing. He’s very coordinated with his motor skills and seems to be more mechanically inclined. He likes trying to figure out how things work and to do it by himself. And he’s pretty patient (yes, until he isn’t). He doesn’t get upset when we’re trying to figure out what he is saying or when he’s trying to accomplish a task that is difficult. He just keeps trying.

He loves wearing sunglasses and other accessories at times and looks cooler than me or his dad have ever managed. I am so looking forward to seeing his personality development and what kind of man he will become. He has the capacity for a lot of love and a lot of joy and I hope he tempers the flip side with good decision making and high moral character. I believe he will be a leader and a force to be reckoned with in this world.

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July Update – He’s gotten sweeter and more temper tantrum-y at the same time in the last few months. He will gives hugs and kisses now but will also resort to foot stomping and screaming when told no. At least there is some ying to the yang. He’s very aware of his relationships now and will tell you that he has no friends and no one will play with him when older brother refuses. He tells you he misses someone ‘so much’ and that he loves you. He likes giving kisses and handshakes at the sign of peace to people he likes. And he’s starting to ask some good questions. At church recently he asked what the cross was that we were standing next to and I told him it was Jesus’ cross. Then he asked where Jesus was and I told him Jesus was all around us and in our hearts. Then he asked where the real Jesus was. Had to give him that and answered Heaven.

He’s starting to love playing games on the iPad and Xbox – anything to do with Zombies, Iron Man, Spider Man or Hulk Buster. He loves his blankies – he’s got about 4 of them that he takes everywhere and his bottle still. Can’t seem to get him off those yet. He’s excited for his birthday and Halloween and will do anything for candy.

2018 Updates - Sweet Pea

Since we’re getting ready for baby #3 and I’ve totally dropped the ball on this blog, I decided to update with a summary of what the boys are like now.

Sweet Pea, age 4. He is so different from age 3. He is much more little boy than toddler, with boy features, boy interests, and boy annoyance with the ol’ parents. We still occasionally get the toddler melt downs but, heck, I’m ten times his age and still go through those. Right now he is enrolled in pre-school 2x per week at our church. He goes through periods of dreading it and crying when he has to go, then periods where he is more resigned. Hate to tell him that the future is going to be long and arduous if pre-school isn’t agreeing with him. He’s a bit more on the shy and introverted side which is making it harder to make friends. If someone doesn’t want to play with him, he just goes off and does his own thing rather than attempting a different strategy to play. I don’t know how much of it is immaturity and how much is his personality. He is a chatterbox at home and rules the roost but doesn’t seem to know how to navigate peer relationships.

Even though he is non-descriptive when he talks about what he’s learning in school, he will shoot out some random nuggets days after the fact. “Did you know that we have electricity in our bodies?” We’re not allowed to say Hallelujah until Easter.” “Gravity is what keeps us on the Earth.” He seems to mull over things, putting together different concepts until he has questions or has formed an idea that he wants to share. I think he’s pretty bright – he’s already figured out that he needs a lot of money in order to not work when he’s an adult. There’s some vagueness about where he’s going to get this money (and some laziness) but, come on, that’s brilliant for a four year old!

His vocabulary is impressive and ever growing. He can now read his name and knows most of the alphabet. Counting to 20 is still a bit of a challenge. For some reason his preferred order is thirteen, fiveteen, fifteen,…. He loves playing video games and wants to be a gamer when he grows up, or at least post some videos on youtube. He will talk to you incessantly about his current favorite game and all his imaginary play is in video game terms: boss fights, battles, energy, lives, etc. He, also, likes playing card games, with his current favorite being Crazy Eights. He likes cooking and baking (but only real stuff – not using his play kitchen), the playground, Peppa Pig, story time, chasing his brother, fighting his brother, tic-tac-toe, hidden picture games, pepperoni pizza, Chilis (because of their game console), science, money, space, and superheroes.

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7/11 update:  He is pretty officially potty trained now. It happened over the last couple of months and, besides a few accidents, has been a champ. So proud of him. He also really likes swimming now and isn’t too afraid of putting his face in the water. He has said so many funny things that I always want to jot down but forget. Bad mommy. He is quite witty though. He is kind, generous and good natured. We love the Sweet Pea so much.