2 1/2

Tomorrow Andrew will be 32 months old. He is definitely the stereotypical 2 year old. He has a lot of energy but wants to "watch something" - meaning TV while indoors.

He is taking being a momma's boy to a new level. For example this morning he said his nose was running. He was on the couch. Owen told him to get a tissue. He said no, mommy do it. I am in the kitchen already getting a wipey for his nose. Owen is still telling Andrew to get up and wipe his nose and here I come around the corner with wipey in hand to take care of the nose running situation. I realize I maybe an enabler...but I just don't know how else to be.

Andrew wants to sit as close to me as he can while he eats (prefers sitting in my lap).

His appetite is changing - he doesn't seem to be as hungry. He loves gummy snacks and wants a hot dog every night for dinner. I am trying to rotate out the hot dog for dinner, but when I do he doesn't really eat dinner. He eats a lot of fruit.

He has gotten really good at drinking out of a cup. In fact, I am thinking of giving him a big boy cup at dinner now.

He seems to be a little stingy with his toys when it comes to Sam. This morning I asked Andrew to share is line of trucks. He was sharing with me so I thought we could include Sam. Andrew told me "Sam is not big enough to play with his trucks" and then he said something to the effect that the trucks are "still his at the moment". Andrew did compromise and give Sam his bongo drum to play with. Then I gave Andrew big hugs and kisses for being sweet to Sam. Hopefully my overly positive attention will help him always be sweet to Sam.

Andrew wakes up very grumpy in the mornings. He usually comes out of his room in the mornings when he hears us in the kitchen or in Sam's room. And the grumpiness is immediate. He doesn't want breakfast, he doesn't want his pull-up on, he doesn't want something to drink, & he doesn't want Owen to talk to him or Ralphie to touch him. There are a lot of "nos" in the morning.

I am still using TV to get him dressed. He is pretty good about leaving the show to brush his teeth and hair. But there isn't a fight about what to wear so I am still going with this system.

Everything is a bargain now. If you want a gummy - you need to eat a bite of dinner. If you want an M&M treat you need to not hit mommy while we get your pjs on or run away while I am trying to put your diaper on. Getting dressed at night is hard. The M&M thing is working.

Saying good-bye to things still works for a transition. For example in the morning when we need to leave the house and his show is still on - we have to say good-bye to the show so there is a definite end.

He has started crying immediately if he thinks he is not getting his way. It is the big show cry too - tears, red face and all.

Potty training is a complete stand still. I have taken our potty chart down and we will revisit it. Luckily he has a new teacher at school is helping me get him on board. He is so ready to make the turn but he doesn't want to. I am not really worried - he is still so young.

Even in all of his 2 year old independence, he is still the sweetest little boy. He still wants to rock at night and he loves to cuddle. When I drop him off at school he wants to give me a hug and a kiss before I leave. He does this at night too.

I am excited for Andrew has he keeps growing and learning new things. We are working on spelling his name. He knows the days of the week and also sings songs that he has heard since he was an infant. He gets very shy so he doesn't do any of these things when asked. But when he is in his element he show us what he knows. :)

Andrew is a special and loving little boy. I can't believe he is 2 1/2!