33 Months and 4 Days

Hello son-

Mom here…This last month has been a flurry of activity and few changes that surprised myself and dear old dad…not that he’s old…just a figure of speech.

I’ll start with the good and end with the challenging…yeah…we’ll call it challenging.

Last weekend you accompanied me to “Miss Nicole’s” house to help Miss Nicole with getting ready to put her house up for sale. Nic’s has two big dogs and you’re not used to being around dogs so you did not leave my lap. By your reaction I can only imagine you thought those doggies were ready to take a limb or your entire head at any given moment. You never took your eyes from them…just in case.

We went upstairs to work in a bedroom and created a much appreciated barrier from the dogs and you proceeded to be mom’s big helper by lining up the socket wrench attachments (part of your OCD) and amusing yourself with playing hide and seek in the closet. Miss Jodie and I were taking furniture out of the room and you were my little shadow…not letting me out of your site. I’m sure it was from fear the dogs would show up at any given moment and off with your arm.

Miss Jodie took a wrong step down the stairs and ended up hurting (spraining) her ankle. So every time you and I continued up and down the stairs you would tell me to be careful so I won’t hurt my ankle like Miss Jodie; Compassion from a 2.5 yr old.

Later on you found a car in Miss Nicole’s office and you wouldn’t put it down…she ended up letting you have the car and you still haven’t put it down…it makes it really difficult at bath time.

The weekend before that you went with me to a race. Mom was not racing in this race however we went to cheer on Miss Jodie and her family in a marathon relay. I got you up really…really early and I was anticipating a “challenge”. You were golden.

We made our way down to Seabrook (about 45 minutes from home). Thankfully, the park had a very nice skateboard park where we set up camp. There was about 8-15 of us at any given time. Well…you loved it. The half pipes were calling you. You figured out how to crawl up by yourself and slide down on your bottom. I caught you testing your limits by trying to go head first…thankfully I thwarted that attempt. I am trying to minimize the number of emergency room visits that I know are in our future.

After you got bored with sliding down yourself you decided it would be fun to see how the fire engine held up to the half pipe rigor. You thought it was so funny when the truck would sail through the legs of several unsuspecting people. Yeah…not so much…mean ole mom took away the fire engine.

You then had your sights set on a stick…not any old stick…the stick. The stick that made it’s way all the way back home to your house. Announcement…For those that wish to purchase birthday and Christmas presents for the next year…just send sticks…not the little puny ones…the big walking kind and just wrap random boxes in paper…nothing in them…just paper. I digress…

Back to the stick; you found a stick and everything in your path was fair game. After warning and removing small children and the elderly I let you have it. Coke cans, grass…dirt…other people drinks, water were not safe. That is…until the skateboarders came out and started doing their thing. You thought it would be fun to see what happens when you throw your big ole stick in the path of the skateboarders.

Not Cool…and because you are my son and I saw you looking at your stick then at the skateboarders and begin to take a step in the direction of said skateboarders I knew what you were thinking and again…avoided a trip to the emergency room to pay for the damage you may have done to some unsuspecting skateboarder.

Shortly after…it was time to head home. You didn’t make it 15 minutes and you were wiped.

The weekend before that we went to your friend Taylor’s 4 yr birthday party at Chu.ck E. Che.ese. Of course you had a great time…crawling around the hamster trails…playing video games and eating pizza and birthday cake too. A funny thing happened…you wouldn’t remember but when you were a baby you went to a school in the Woodlands. One of your classmates was Vishnu. Everyone knew Vishnu as he cried A LOT. Vishnu happened to be having his 3rd birthday party on the same day. What are the odds…he’s still just a little guy. Odds are, when you are both adults you will either go to college together or end up working together, funny.

That about sums up the month of weekends…tomorrow we have Landon’s 1st birthday party where you will attend your first crawfish boil. I am sure I will not able to wait a month to write about that one.

Now for the challenges that have ensued…you have figured out on the weekends you do not have to wait until Mom or Dad comes in to get you in the mornings…you get out of your bed on your own. Thankfully it is still around 9a so it’s not that challenging…yet; however, your Dad and I really…really need to convert your bed into a toddler bed for your safety.

Tantrums…boy…you had a 45 minute temper tantrum last night because 1. your school bag blanket was left at school. (Your blanket always stays at school). 2. Mom took your shoes off because they had mud on them. (How could I) 3. We would let you watch your new movie (i.e. Ic.e A.ge…the Meltdown) What horrible parents we are.

We finally had to put you in your room and close the door until you were finished with your fit. When you finally quieted down I found you lying on the floor on your blanket. When I asked if you wanted to come eat dinner you said “NO” as only a 2.5 year old can. So…I left you in your room. Dad went up a bit later to talk with you and tell you that we would enjoy it if you came and had dinner you still refused. Dad left your door open when he left the room and you promptly got up and shut it…as only a 2.5 year old can. Your Dad and I had to smile at that one.

Finally you decided you had had enough and you joined us for dinner. You stubborn little man…you are definitely my son.

Tantrums have been your theme lately. You’ve about sent Dad over the edge in the mornings to the point where he has had to ask me for help. So…in order to alleviate such challenges as picking the right shirt/pants/shorts you have worn the same pair of shorts for a week now…your black comfy shorts with white strips on the side. I let you pick out your own shirt and that seems to have helped a bit in the clothing department.

This morning I made the mistake of “opening” your banana (which you asked me do to before quickly changing your mind right after I “opened” it. The mouth opened…the eyes squeezed shut and I reminded you to use your words and talk to me. All you had to do was ask to switch bananas with me. You understood so the crying was short lived.

Mom and Dad have quite a challenge with you and us. It seems we have reached a point where your independence and we doing things for you has reached crossroads. Understanding this makes it a bit easier…but somedays (like yesterday) there is not an easy button and you just have to push through.

You are a good boy and bring us so much joy…I know we will all get through it together.

Oh…you said y’all the other day…your dad almost fell over out of shock. Me…not so surprised as you live in Texas and I say it frequently. I am trying however not to say “fixin” when you are in the room.

This was a long one but a good one. You still grow up every day. You are 37lbs and 39 inches tall.

In the month to come we will tackle potty training…stay tuned for those trials and tribulations.

Keep growing, keep laughing and keep learning.


Love,
Mom