Mommy of a toddler

Dylan is so much fun right now, but also so challenging!  He is wide open all the time.  It's fun to watch him learn new concepts!  He is like a sponge just soaking it all in.  Each day brings something new and it's just amazing watching how he learns something so fast.  I wanted to take time just to write down a few toddler moments and memories for myself, but also for Dylan to look back on later.

• Dylan tries to repeat EVERY word we say.
• He dances when he hears music or watches us turn the radio on.
• He sings with us and tries to say each word after we do.
• He builds towers with blocks that are as tall as he is (of course he has some help, but he does a lot on his own)
• He can color with crayons, write with a pen or pencil, and place stickers on a page.
• He loves sidewalk chalk.
• He thinks fingerpainting is so much fun.
• We catch him organizing things alot (I guess he gets it honest).  Some examples include:
• All of his monster truck were found lined up in the kitchen.
• His trains were in a neat pile together on his bedroom floor.
• He came walking down the hall one day with all 3 of his elmo dolls.
• His shoes have been found in the living room neatly placed side by side.
• He has "little people" he puts in a line as he plays with them.
• He takes things out of his toybins outside and puts them in buckets or neatly on his picnic table
• ...and the list goes on.
• He loves throwing things in the trash can, taking his dirty laundry to the laundry room, and putting things away.
• He still loves taking a bath
• He can put his shoes (crocs, flipflops, sandals) on without any help.
• He can put his shorts and socks on without any help and can take them off without help.  We are working on his shirt.  He can finish putting it on once it's over his head.
• He feeds himself with a fork and spoon and refuses any help at all!  Ice cream and yogurt are VERY messy!
• He brushes his teeth and we finish it up for him.
• He picks out his bedtime stories (which usually include 5 or 6 books)!  It makes me happy that he loves reading.  We find him sitting in his bedroom floor with piles of books exploring the pages!
• He pretends to talk on the phone and walks around the house doing it (guess he watches me do that).
• He loves to help with the housework. He has helped load the dryer, put clothes away, clean windows, wipe of the kitchen table, and even swiffer and use the dust buster on the furniture! 
• He loves blankets and will pick up one and carry it around with him, but hasn't become attached to any particular one or developed a "need" for one.
• He eats anything we give him except Mac and cheese.
• He can identify pictures of a cow, dog, lion, frog, chicken, duck, horse, sheep, cat, bunny, truck, car, apple, orange, block, flower, pig, shoes, ice cream, train, tractor, motorcycle, fish, bird, and I'm sure the list goes on.
• Freckles is his best buddy!  We took Freckles to get a haircut today.  When we got back in the car and didn't have Freckles, Dylan cried and pointed at the building and said "no."  I felt so sorry for him.  I made sure Dylan was with me when we went to pick Freckles back up.  I even took Dylan in to get Freckles so that he would know exactly where he was and hopefully next time not be so upset.
• We recently purchased a booster seat to encourage Dylan to stay at the table and try to make eating more fun.  He doesn't like to sit for long, which can be very frustrating when out to eat.  We try to choose "kid friendly" atmospheres and quick service!
• He loves playing outside; with trains, cars, or trucks; building with blocks; riding on riding toys; playing with his fake vaccum or broom,putting together puzzles and reading books.
• Speaking of puzzles, Dylan and I have been working on a Mickey Mouse number puzzle all week.  He has really started to show interest in what the pieces are more than if they fit into the puzzle.  As I had him a piece I have been telling him the number and as he puts it in the puzzle I say the number to him again.  I have even practiced asking him for a particular number.  I point to the empty spot on the puzzle and ask if he can find the number _____.  This week he could find the number 2 and 8 when asked.  I really didn't think it would go beyond the puzzle, but  of course was proud that he could do it.  Tonight he was in awe with a car magazine Michael subscribes to.  He was flipping through the pages so I thought I would comment on the pictures.  I asked him if he saw a car and he pointed at it and then he pointed to the number 88 and said, "EIGHT!"  I WAS SHOCKED!  I said, "What's that Dylan?" and he repeated "EIGHT."  Again, another moment of AMAZEMENT!!!

I'm sure there are so many more things that I have forgotten to write down.  Dylan is just amazing.  I love being the mommy to a fully energized little boy!  It can be a challenge and I feel like there are days when Dylan hears the word "no" far more than he hears "I love you" or "yay, that's a good boy," but we are working hard to teach him what's right and wrong and safe or unsafe.