"Mommy! We actually need TWO things at the grocery store" holding up two fingers, one on each hand "cimanon... and cimanon rolls. Then we can make... cimanon rolls!" He has it all figured out.
Preston also started gymnastics tonight. As predicted it took him a long time to warm up, but I was proud of him. By the end of the class he was doing the activities on his own and I could sit on the sidelines. It's very frustrating having a child that totally wants to go have fun with the other kids, but is too stubborn and scared to let go. We are working on it, and it will get better each week.
We also had a cute conversation about birthdays. Preston is VERY competitive and found out at school the other day that his friend Evan will have a birthday before him. He was a little upset by this and came up with a creative solution to "beat" Evan to his birthday:
"Mommy, when it is Evan's birthday I can turn his birthday off. And then it will be MY birthday, and then I can turn Evan's birthday on again. Does that sound good?
From Luke:
I am NOT trying to be a baby anymore. I am ready to become a toddler, and Mom and Dad are definitely not ready. I am pulling myself up onto furniture and toys, and I am trying my hardest to cruise. I’ll figure it out soon! My new favorite game is to play “so big” with Mommy when she changes my diaper. I’m also experimenting with waving “bye-bye” and next we are going to work on clapping hands! I love taking baths with my big brother, even though he’s not always happy about it. I like to swim like a fish on my belly! If Preston is in the bath before me I crawl at the speed of light into the bathroom to watch him, and I’m so squirmy that Mommy can’t get my clothes off. Why can’t I just take a bath with my clothes on? It would be so much faster. Speaking of which, I do love to crawl in the shower with my clothes on, especially in the morning when Daddy is in there (or right after he gets out, as long as there is still some water in the bottom so I can splash!)
A few night ago I gave Mom and Dad a really hard time. They still don’t know why, but I was up 3 or 4 times and I did NOT want to go back to sleep. It doesn’t help that I know how to pull up on my crib now, so instead of staying on my belly and fussing myself back to sleep, I immediately stand up and can’t figure out how to get back down (although even in the last 2 days I am definitely getting better and getting myself down again, I fuss a little bit, but then gently ease myself down, I figured that out WAY quicker than Preston). I then get hysterical and boogery and my pacifier falls out of the crib (did I mention I’m recently OBSESSED with my paci?). Daddy says it’s only a phase. Mommy can only hope. They both decided to lower my crib.
From Mommy,
It’s been 3 years, but it is all flooding back to me. It’s funny how babies find the same naughty things, play the same games: splashing in the water in the dishwasher and the shower, remote controls –cell phones – regular phones – anything with buttons, cat food dishes and water, stairs, baby gates, cords and cables, anything dangerous. It’s like living in the land of deja-vu. We should know better by now, and do for the most part. But babies apparently love to find the most dangerous thing in the room and head straight for it. I remember when Preston was this age he would stand up on the dishwasher while I was cleaning up from dinner and reach STRAIGHT for the sharp knives in the utensil basket. Guess who does the exact same thing now… Forks, spoons, measuring cups, lids, and even table knives are clearly not dangerous enough for babies who live on the edge.
I have to say, though, that this is a VERY cute age. I love the Luke it becoming more independent (and MUCH sooner than Preston who still needs more attention than his baby brother). I see my baby fading away in a mix of emotions: pride and nostalgia, bittersweetness.
Luke also got his second tooth on Tuesday! (Dec. 2nd bottom tooth on the left- yes I keep notes for the baby book on here)
Preston is also blossoming into a vibrant, bright, and witty 4 year old. As his brother teeters his way into toddlerhood, Preston prances and bounds his way out. Gymnastics is a hopeful outlet for his endless energy (Daddy wished he could harness it to heat the house; we would have energy in abundance). When I look back to this time last year I realize how very far he has come. Last Christmas he was intensely contradictory and exhaustingly obstinate. I remember calling my mom in tears of frustration one night because we just could not deal with him. While he still has his stubborn attitude, he has started to turn around and mature.
How does it go so fast? How do I slow it down?