screw the terrible twos

It's been a long time. And i apologize for the lack of posts.


Dylan is now officially three years old. Hard to believe it. But yet, not so hard to believe if I look at how our daily whine factor, defiant factor and just plain frustration factor has gone WAY up. My sweet little cuddle bug can be quite the hair pulling button pusher.

Some days (like today) it just seems as though she got up on the wrong side of the bed. Is that possible for kids? I thought only adults had bad moods where everything just seems to go wrong.

Dylan is officially 32 lbs, 37.5 inches tall. She is right on schedule for all development and did really great in her 3-year old appt where she had to get a finger prick for a lead test. "I am worried about the prick..." But then she didn't even feel it - and enjoyed a pink Pez post-prick.

She really is a wonderful, sweet, caring little girl. Her personality and sense of humor evolve more each day and I am amazed at what she is able to figure out on her own these days. She is becoming more and more independent and sometimes it crushes me how fast she is growing up. Our favorite way to get her to eat vegetables, drink milk, etc. is to say, "Don't drink the milk. I don't want you to grow up anymore. I want you stay little forever!!" And then of course she is cracking up and yelling "I will grow up! I'm going to!!" And she drinks and drinks and drinks and it's happiness for all.

Here are a few of her current faves:

Favorite toys: people - as in fisher price little people to make up stories with, magna-doodle, any art supplies (especially markers)

Favorite music: Ralph's World, Sesame Street songs

Favorite thing to watch: Super Why on PBS

Favorite place on earth: the hot tub at "grandma cindy's cabin"

Favorite drink: chocolate milk

Favorite dinner: Thai noodles (pad thai) with peanut sauce

Favorite dessert: tie between popsicles or ice cream

Favorite color: pink most often, but depends on the day

Favorite obsession: ballet, ballerinas, dancing, tutus, anything FANCY

Favorite book (see above): Fancy Nancy

Favorite lastest quote: "Ooh-lah-lah, my family is posh!" (yeah, see favorite book...)

What a girl!

Hug

This is why you have siblings for your children.


And no, it's not posed.

successful mommy moment

if you need something for your 12 month old and your almost 3 year old to do...TOGETHER...(this is key to those who don't have these two ages at the same time - they don't DO the same things...) Take a look! This was my genius idea of the day:

Let's wash our legos!!
Put a huge bag (I'm talking 200+) of duplos on the floor and let them toss them one by one into the bathtub full of soapy water. Honestly, what is more fun than that?!?!?!

Feel free to take that one to the bank.

Goodbye hair and hello big boy!

Noah got a big boy haircut. Jason and I took turns with the at-home clippers (whatever happened to the Flobee?). I thought I might regret cutting off the curls. But I don't, not one smidgen...Lara, you were right. :) Here's a before and after:

Before

After (he looks so much older!)

Noah turns 1 on Tuesday, so we had a little bash for him this evening. He is obsessed with basketballs (promise, he is, it's not just his dad wishing...), so we had a basketball (illini) themed party. First a cute shot of his big stuff uniform, and then a short clip of him walking after the party. He's had a bit too much to drink. :) He has been taking steps now for a week and he thinks it's hilarious.

Dylan loves to eat snow

This weekend Dylan figured out how much fun it is to eat snow! Jason and I took her sledding and afterwards, she told us her favorite part of the whole event was "eating snow." OK...

So, today, with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Clark, we got some snow from the backyard and poured maple syrup on it and made an amazing dessert treat!

And here's just a shot of the sheer love Dylan has for Noah (yes, this is tough love...)