Max 33 Months...Long Post Alert.

I wanted to capture my sweet teeny tiny two year old one more time before he turns into a big three year old. Max at 33 months is truly blossoming in so, so many ways.

His language is exploding, and he speaks in full sentences. He also speaks in gibberish because he thinks its funny. He is even developing a cute little sense in humor. He will tell me little jokes, like biting into an apple and saying "this brownie is delicious". Baby steps in the joke department, but I also pretend apples are brownies. I feel you Maxwell! He also thinks he is so silly when he calls mommy "Bethany" and daddy "daddy-tia". Silly man. Cody and I sat in awe last night as we watched him stack these little educational blocks with animals, numbers, colors, and shapes on each side. We quizzed him and he was able to tell us each animal (duh), and count the specific amount shown. He identified his shapes, even tough ones like deciphering between an octagon and a hexagon. He counted each side like a little baby genius and proudly proclaimed that "an octagon has 8 sides" and I know for a fact he learned this on Sesame Street, so anyone who says no TV for toddlers is wacko in my book. Everything in moderation.

He does not nap, and I think he still needs a little nap. He has been a miracle sleeper since birth, so this struggle is new to us. I've mentioned it before, but if he naps he is up past midnight, and is still waking up early exhausted. He handles it pretty well actually, but I still feel bad knowing he is tired, and not functioning at 100%. He is also waking up in the middle of the night some, and doesn't always go back to bed. This has only happened a couple times, and when he was looking forward to something the next day. Twice now in the past few months he has gotten up for the day around 4-5am, and I turned on a movie and went back to bed. Each time he watched the entire movie without moving, and came and got me around 8am. I know that sounds mean, but I am not encouraging starting the day at 4 am, but I also can't make him sleep. I also can't leave him to play in his room because his train table backs up to Levi's room and it is so loud with him clanking around.

He eats great. He loves him some cheese, and always asks for Mexican food. He and Levi both can down adult portions of enchiladas. He also loves coffee and diet coke. I kid you not. He NEVER gets this, but occasionally will sneak a sip, or I will find him sipping a mug of coffee I left out. He always says "this is soooo yummy" and he means it. He was recently introduced to juice, so he thinks a totally watered down cup of orange juice is delicious. He doesn't really drink plain milk anymore because he was spoiled with the goodness of chocolate milk. We don't buy chocolate milk anymore, in hopes he will forget he loves it, and start drinking regular whole milk. He is becoming much more daring with his food too, and starting to enjoy meats and veggies much more! He still likes most fruit, and will almost always try something at least once, and usually likes it after that. He started taking turkey in his lunch opposed to his typical Sunbutter and honey sandwich. We are actually kinda off Sunbutter right now.

Speaking of whole milk, I am really trying to push high calorie foods and drinks because he is shrinking at a rapid pace! I know it's just genetically how he is supposed to be because he is healthy, but it makes be worry. The doctor warned me at his 2 year check up to expect this due to his height, and activity level. I didn't believe him because he has always been so chunky. Not anymore.

Last measured he was around 38 pounds, and around 40 inches. Still over 100% in height, and over 90% in weight even though he looks like a shrimp. He is just long and lean. He has a 6 pack people!

We are working with discipline, and trying to find out what is effective for him specifically. I am not big into parenting books because I feel like it makes me fit my child into a certain mold without considering his specific personality, and what works for him. It also makes me obsess if he doesn't respond like the perfect child in the book (that's probably more of the issue). I have, however, caved, and am reading a few things just to get some ideas. I feel strongly that I owe it to HIM for him to be well behaved. I just know he will be happier and more successful as a little toddler person if he isn't throwing tantrums, and upset all the time (not that he is). We are working with helping him understand why there are rules, and what is and is not acceptable. So far we aren't really struggling with anything specific. He is just asserting his opinions more, and throwing some fits. Him being exhausted all the time isn't helping either.

He initiated potty training a couple weeks ago, and is doing great! I haven't taken it extremely seriously, but I think we will totally crack down over Spring Break, and hopefully venture into wearing underwear. He goes great on the potty, but doesn't always tell me when he needs to. I need to be better about asking, but school is also a struggle. They only take them to the potty 2 or 3 times a day which isn't good for potty training. Sweet boy is so proud though. He will do anything for a gummy bear, and the big reward of an Oreo for poop!

He is just a little darling, and I cannot take how much I love him. He loves his mommy, and I would be lying if I said I didn't love that! I still rock him to sleep every night. Every. Single. Night. I know these days will end, so I don't care if he is "too old" for this. Anybody else who puts him to bed just lays him down awake, but I am too obsessed with rocking my little guy. Levi would never dream of letting me rock him. Toot.

He loves to sleep with his 3 identical elephant lovies, a million blankets, and his dang paci. Can't wait to send that thing away to the paci fairy. We have been talking about her a lot. It does kind of break my heart though to take it away from him. It's something he has loved since the day he was born.

He is loving pre-school and has impressed me with how well he handled the transition. He has yet to have a bad report card, and looks forward to seeing all his friends and teachers every week. He is learning SO much, and has developed a true love for art. I am interested to see if this is something that lasts. He asked me to frame his art work, and so I went and bought little frames and framed 7 of his favorites in his room. So sweet! I'm thinking about covering an entire wall in his room with his "masterpieces" that he can be proud of! Every time someone comes over he asks them to "come see his art work," and I think it's the cutest thing ever.

He also loves to sing, can totally carry a tune, and memories songs almost instantly. He loves to sing theme songs from shows he watches, and all his little chapel songs from school. He also loves all the hymens I have been singing since he was in the womb. He loves trains, and trucks, and is obsessed with dinosaurs! He would play play-dough all day long if he could, and is still an avid reader. I'm sure that sounds hilarious since he's two, but really he is. He loves book, and memorizing stories. I know I'm bragging, but I am just so proud of our little guy!

He has little friends he talks about, and has even developed a little best friend. He just loves her, and it is the sweetest thing you've ever seem. He asks me all the time if we can take her pink presents, and want to know what she is doing at ALL times. And i'm sorry but how precious is she? All prim and proper next to my maniac, who I might add took his shirt off, and then helped her take hers off. Soon this will not be cute Max, very soon her dad will not laugh! We were at a Super Bowl party and found them upstairs dancing topless to Shrek the Musical...heavenly days!

We just love him if you can't tell! I don't want him to turn THREE!