mason - {31 months, potty trained and other stuff}

Well, he's actually been potty trained for a few months.
I never took any pictures - not that you'd need to see pictures of him in action - but I was thinking more along the lines of his cute little body running around in his big boy underwear!, or how funny it is when he puts them on backwards and walks out of the bathroom like it's completely normal to have little boy thong underwear.
I kept thinking about posting about his progress and telling a few stories,
but he was just too darn quick and good at it.

He's pretty much fully trained.

We went about a month with no pullups at bed - but we were changing sheets about 50% of the time (maybe more) I was determined to keep trying.

But Dave was getting frustrated - so we started pullups again for bed.

One of Mason's new things...

Mommy....

what?

I lush you

Last night he said

momma, you lay with me?

pause, as I'm thinking what my answer will be since I just laid with him in my bed and now he wanted me to lay with him in his bed too.

Before I could answer...

becuz you lush me

oh my, how could I say no.

He definitely challenges us - on a daily basis, sometimes hourly.

He's much more fussy than Taylor ever was, and his moods are more extreme.

We are working so hard to get him to stop whining and crying and insisting his way all the time.

Over simple things like apple juice, chocolate milk, wanting the snack that HE wants, not wanting to wear pants, only wanting to wear flip flops.

He wants me to hold him A LOT.

But there's definitely a part of me that likes that.

Just not when I'm trying to get dressed or put on makeup or cook dinner.

And really, when he's upset - there is NO stopping him.

But he's funny!  So very silly!

We always say he has more personality than Taylor ever did or has.

He loves to run through the house with no clothes on yelling "nakey boy in the house!"

He laughs and announces every time he "toots".

This morning I walked in the kitchen while he was eating his oatmeal and he pointed out the exact spot on the chair in which he tooted.  I just don't get it.

And he's so lovable, and cuddly.

He LOVES to cuddle - any time, all the time.

I, of course wish for this to never change, but I realize I'm pushing my luck.

He grabs my cheeks and pulls my face nose-to-nose with his and kisses me.

He asks for Anni (our chocolate lab) to sleep with him every night - she sleeps up on the foot of his bed.

He gets frustrated easily.

His dad says he has my personality.

But I don't think that's fair.

We're doing lots of preschool activities around here this fall (mostly for Taylor, but he gets to do them too)- and he isn't so patient at learning things.

He LOVES his sister and does EVERYTHING she does.

He copies things she says.

If I ask a question to both of them, sometimes he'll wait for her to answer so he can say the same thing.

If he really wants his answer to be different, he'll realize that a few seconds later and then change his answer.

He still really loves his monkey and blanket.

And Lightning McQueen.

Although Toy Story is starting to compete heavily.

He doesn't like to eat much.

Unless you give him pickles, fruit loops or m&m's.

He's definitely growing up.

I think the changes that occur between ages 2 and 3 are some of the biggest.

And before we know it - this little guy's going to be 3.

sniff, sniff

With all the joys and challenges this little guy brings to our family,

I know that I cannot do this job on my own.

I was reminded yesterday by a sweet sweet friend that being a mother means I need to be brought to my knees.

On a daily basis.

Sometimes many times a day. :-)

And my prayer is that as I learn to be a good momma to both of my children, that I will learn what God wants to teach me through it. Because ultimately, I know that learning to love and care for my own children will help me understand the love, patience, and grace that God has for me.