36 Months - June 2010

I think every year as you celebrate your birthday I will secretly be celebrating the fact that I've suceeded in keeping a child alive for x-number of years. I'm confident that's why you were my firstborn because you seem pretty resilient and haven't suffered too much from my lack of parenting skills.

Time goes by so amazingly fast and because of that I am so grateful I have been able to be home with you for the last year. As I see Tessa learn and do little things I am always hit with some sadness that I missed that with you. I couldn't have asked for better babysitters while I was working, but I missed so much. The changes in you from turning 2 to turning 3 haven't been nearly as drastic but that's why I'm glad I was here for all of it.

You didn't take your first steps this year, but you did learn how to pedal a bike. First this one that Grandma and Grandpa Veater got you for your 1st birthday and then the Lightning McQueen one we bought you for your birthday this year. It's been fun to see you learn another skill that will be so important to you in the next few years.

You didn't say your first words but instead now have such a large vocabulary and a mind that goes so fast that you stumble, repeat, and mumble your words to the point where I have a hard time deciphering them. It makes me laugh because you always spoke pretty clearly (every mom probably says that) when you were younger and I truly do think it is because your brain is going 100 miles an hour and your mouth can't keep up. I still love to listen to you talk and the things you come up with. One of the funniest things this month was when your dad was driving you crazy by blowing on your face and you looked at him and said, "Don't blow on me - I'm not scrambled eggs!" When he started laughing and told me what you said I laughed so hard. We blow on your eggs every morning but I had no idea you'd say something that funny because of it. On your way to Panguitch to spend the night last weekend you told your dad that you were worried about me and Tes because you were going to be so far away. When I got the call from your dad telling me what you said I got a tear in my eye thinking about how cute it was that you wanted to be here to protect us.
You love watching the movie Cars and even more than watching Cars you love pretending you are Lightning McQueen by "starting your engine." In the movie Lightning starts his engine by making a face and kind of growling so that's what you do. I count to 3 and you make this hilarious face and growl. It's pretty funny. That face has replaced your monster face most days and I'm glad for the change of pace.

Bath time with Tess is still one of our favorite times of the day and the 2 of you crack me up dumping or spitting water at each other and fighting over toys. Some days I doubt if you even get clean while you are in there and other days you leave a ring of dirt and a pile of sand in the bottom of the tub.

We've been going swimming quite a bit since the pool opened and you have a blast there. Some days I have to talk you into going because I want to go, but no matter how I get you there it always ends the same way: with you crying because we are going home. One day you told me you wanted to stay there forever. The funny thing about it is that you kind of hate the water. You wear a floatie around you pretty much nonstop and won't jump off the side of the pool unless I'm holding your hands. If I get you too close to the part of the slide that sprays water you scream and freak out. I hope eventually you will trust me and let me teach you how to swim.

Your dad said something to you yesterday about you being a boy and you yelled back "I'm not a boy, I'm a KID!" We laughed at you but I know you realize you are getting older and are definitely asserting yourself. You and I are a lot alike and that's why we butt heads. I'm not willing to let even a 3-year-old tell me I'm wrong and there's no way you're going to give in without a fight either - and I definitely try to stay out of your way when you are tired. Two was difficult no doubt, but I think we'll be able to understand each other a little better and make 3 better.

As for some advice for you? Don't ever quit being silly - it's lots better than taking yourself too seriously.

Love you buddy,

Mom

Your stats as of 6/16/10:

Weight: 38 pounds (94%)

Height: 40" (95%)

Head: 20" (looks like the girl wrote .0%! - that's a small noggin for a big brain!)