23 Months!

Just one month shy of two and the terrible twos are upon us.  They have been slowly creeping up on us for the past month or so.  What do I do with this bear?  Emotions are HIGH in this house at times.

Naptime over the weekend is a prime example.  As usual we went to his room, turned on his humidifier and lamp, and turned off the light.  I proceeded to sit down in the rocker for some reading before our nap.  Usually he picks his book and comes to sit down.  Today, he sat in front of the door and wailed!  I patiently waited for him to stop.  He then proceeded to hide himself at the side of his bookshelf where he couldn't be seen.  He finally calmed down and came to read with me.  However, once I went to put him in bed the wailing continued.  I eventually had to just leave him in there.  It only took him a few minutes to lay down and go to sleep.  What happened to the little boy that enjoyed rocking with me until he was tired enough to lay down?  Luckily, the tantrums have usually stayed to times when he is overtired or hungry.

A day at the mall with Grandma

Saying "Cheese" for the camera

Lucky for him, he is a funny little guy that 90% of the time entertains us or runs around the house like a mad man.  His days lately are spent, literally, running circles around the kitchen, wanting us to chase him, climbing the stairs, or playing outside.

Investigating the sprinkler, very unsure but, loves Lightening McQueen

The results of chocolate rice cakes on a warm, Texas day.   He even had it in his eye.

Fun times at his sleepover with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Mike at Grapevine Main Street Days

Other changes:

His vocabulary has increased from 25 to around 50 or so words in the past couple of weeks.  He still prefers to use signs for a lot of things but, he will at least give me some works here and there now.  Stubborn, stubborn boy.  He has almost mastered the spoon.  The mess with applesauce and yogurt is minimal.  He asks where Dada is All.Day.Long!  It sometimes even turns into a song running through the house singing "Da---Da!"  He loves to sing too, Lalalalalalala!

The cranky part of the day is usually right after his nap.  He wakes up around 5-5:30, right about the time I am starting dinner.  He is fine if I am sitting on the couch but, as soon as I start to cook he feels he needs to be held the entire time.  And only by Mom.  Dad, just simply won't do, even though he asks for him all day.

He also has a new love for painting and play-doh.

Just a few weeks until we have a two year old.  EEEK!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  Most of our weekend was spent outside enjoying this great weather we have had.  Friday we went to a special Mother's Day playdate at the Grapevine Recreational Center.  They had a gymnasium set up with a bounce house and plenty of toys for toddlers and preschoolers.  They also had a few craft tables set up.  We danced, we jumped, we crafted, and most of all we went down the slide over and over and over again.  We continued our playdate with lunch at a nearby park. Someone may have found some leftover rain puddles from the night before.

 

Ethan and his buddy, Camden, playing in the puddles (this is one is my favorite)

Abigail getting in on the action

And before we left it was absolutely necessary to go see the construction trucks.

Checking out the construction trucks.  He is going to love his birthday party!

On Saturday we got to spend the entire day with Dad!  This is a rare event lately.  Before our nap we decided to work on some Mother's Day presents for Gram and Grandma Flynn, which I just now realized I forgot to take a picture of.  Oops.  We painted the bottom of his feet and made little butterflies on the side of a plant pot.  He really enjoyed himself with the paint. I am so glad because he hasn't really shown much interest in it in the past.

Sunday we enjoyed a morning with just the three of us.  We followed it up with lunch at Chris and Diana's house with Grandma and Grandpa Flynn, Uncle Mike and Emma.  After lunch we came home for a nap, Ethan and Mom.  After our naps we went to meet Gram, Papaw, Aunt Carissa, and Uncle Jason at Campisi's for dinner.  Delicious!

I really enjoyed the weekend.  And thank you to Robert for giving me a reason to celebrate this day.  I can't get enough of this face.

Enjoying a post painting snack

I hope all the other mom's out there enjoyed their day too!

HORSES!!

This past weekend Ethan and I went to visit Aunt Carissa and Gram in Red Oak.  It was a very busy weekend.  Friday, Ethan got some one on one time with Gram while I helped Carissa register for baby Macy coming in July. Saturday we went see baby Macy's 3D sonogram.  While we were there we dropped by Nana and Pop's house.  While we were there he gladly followed Pop out to visit the neighbor's horses.  He was IN LOVE!!

He truly had no fear.  He loved being kissed on the head.  Pop would grab a handful of grass.  He showed him how to feed the horse.  Ethan would hold it out and when the horse came to grab it, Ethan would throw it up and laugh hysterically. 

Of course he was quick to tell us he was a little tired and ready for a break.

We also made another attempt at bluebonnets while were there.  The bluebonnets were a little better but, the kid was not.  He was just not in the mood when we stopped.

What should be bluebonnet pictures

...are actually pictures in a field of greens with specs of purple.  I had been told by many in the area that the JCP campus has a large field of beautiful bluebonnets to get to some photos of the kiddos.  So, Sarah, Joe, and Abigail came all the way from Ft. Worth to see us, have dinner, and take some pictures of some cuties.  I can see that most years there are probably bountiful bluebonnets.  Not this year.  Maybe we haven't had enough rain or too many random cold snaps.  But, that didn't stop me from following these kids around with my camera.  Here are just a few of what I got.

Peek-a-boo, Abigail

Ethan not sharing his goldfish

Playing ring around the rosy

Now this one is pink, and this one is red...

A true shot of their personalities.  Abigail is always running, Ethan is very laid back and chill

Love him

Stopping to smell the flowers

Abigail is actually sitting behind him here

Always smiling

While we didn't have a lot of luck with the bluebonnets this year, we had a great time chasing these little ones around.  They tried to photobomb another family's photo session.  Sarah even lost her keys in the field. We had to call Robert and Joe to come help us find them.  Joe saved the day and found them in a bush.  We are glad they decided to come out for dinner and fun.

Hopefully, Waxahachie will be a better spot this weekend.