Meet the Mocks: 23 months

Less than a month from now, we'll have a two year old. Although B already acts like a two year in many respects, mainly in the behavioral department, I'll be glad for many of the other things that come along with him getting older (specifically being able to communicate better and hopefully talk more!). The kid already knows exactly what he wants and when he wants it, there is no substitute. When he gets an idea in his head, there is no turning back - he is going to get his way one way or another. Or if it is a task he is trying to master, he won't give up. For instance, I am eating cereal one morning, and he is determined to eat it just like me. He helps himself to the silverware drawer, gets a big spoon out, and just gets after it.

He has "helped" feed Charlie a few times, but now "helping" has evolved into letting him do it all by himself. I must give him credit, he is better than I thought he would be and takes his job very seriously. He will push me out of the way, so he can get in there and takeover the feeding himself.

As for my morning routine, lately it has involved me doing my make-up on the floor, using a tiny compact mirror because I can't leave the kids alone together. So, as a result B has taken quite an interest in my makeup. He especially loves putting blush on himself (he must know he's fair skinned!)

Not quite sure what he was doing here, but he has also been very into working out with me and Shaun T lately. When he sees me in my workout gear, he'll do this little shuffle and say "NaNa" which stands for just about anything he is asking for or wants. He gets up right beside me and tries to mimic all of the moves.

He is still very into crafts, coloring, and painting - but more specifically PENS. He only wants to write or color with pens and has this one white pen he always begs for. I've kinda given in, as long as he sits at the table with it, but when I am not looking, he has started to experiment with drawing on himself.

this would be a great mug shot

He is such a ham and always making us laugh. I couldn't help but snap a picture of this plumber shot. Haha!!

Not sure if B is trying to control Charlie with the thermometer or thinks he can take his temperature that far away, but pretty funny nonetheless.

Witht he colder weather upon us, he is having to learn that he needs to wear long sleeves and jackets, which is a huge change for him. I guess last year he was still pretty young and didn't notice the difference, but it has been quite the adjustment for him this year. He is very opinionated and disturbed by the longer sleeves. he just yanks and pulls and moans and groans at them. Luckily, with big brother having to dress warmer too, that has been a help to explain to him what is going on. Now though, if just one person puts on a jacket, we all need our jacket on. Or when we walk in the door, eveyrone must take off all winter paraphernalia right then and there.

my lil hipster tot!

first coooold day in Houston

B is still really loving the Little Gym. Of course the two thing she loves the most, which are the bouncy balls and getting stamps, occur at the very end of the class. He asks for them no less than 10-15 times over the course of 35-40 minutes. I would say his favorite activity is still the balance beam, but he is branching out and not being quite as shy as he was in the start.

There haven't been too many changes over the course of this month. He does seem to be more chatty and learning a few more words. Yellow is one of them and it is definitely his favorite color as of late. He still won't say a word if you ask him to repeat something you say, but he definitely understands anything we say or ask of him. When he wants something, he has started rubbing his thumb and index finger together saying Nana. Usually it is in reference to his lovey or pacifier. As far as eating goes, not much change either. He is starting to like a few more fruits and will tolerate grapes, blueberries, and apples from time to time. He likes to munch on carrots, but probably doesn't actually eat too much, but just likes them because Ryan eats them. He is sticking to his main food group of anything with tomato sauce - he is willing to try or eat (lasagna, pizza, spaghetti, meatloaf). Although, our days of lasagna for dinner every night may be coming to an end, I am not really sure what he is going to eat. He has thrown up his dinner probably 6 out of the last 10 nights, so I am not sure if he is just over it or what. Due to the lack of his appetite, he hasn't gained much weight either. He still always falls around 27.5 lbs. which I think he has been in that range for months now. He is still a great sleeper/napper, and with not taking naps on school days, his naps on the other 5 days can be up to 3/3.5 hours now.

There is a lot of brotherly love in this house, which I am so thankful for, and hope it continues. B really is a lover, despite all of his antics and craziness. He idolizes Ryan and treats Charlie is if it were his own baby.

They demanded to put on their costume a week or so ago and then of course wanted me to take pics of them in it. B loves to say "Cheee" if he wants me to take a pic of him. Or he'll pick up my iPhone, point it at something and say "Chee." Funny hows kids are so quick to learn and just mimic us.

At dinner one night, he really wanted to go sit with Ryan in his chair while they ate. It was pretty cute. I feel like this pic says it all regarding how he feels about his older brother.

One day, I was in the living room with Charlie and B after Bradley had woken up from a nap. All of a sudden, he popped up, ran into the play room and peeked his head around the corner and started waving and saying Hi to Ryan. My heart melted :)