30 months

2 1/2 - October 3, 2013

... don't let that smile fool you - this kid is Trouble ...

Folks, we made it to two and a half. 2 1/2!  And if I had to sum that up in a word, I'd say, HARD.  These last few months - of toddler twoish-ness - have been especially trying for me. There have been days when I was sure I would lose my mind, and that I couldn't do this mothering thing for another minute, let alone an untold number of years.  As Kyalo is testing his independence he is testing my patience (nonexistent).  I did not expect or prepare myself for the fullness in every sense of the word of mothering.  There is no 'off duty' or 'vacation' for a mom.  And in 2 1/2 years I have not once been separated from Kyalo.  I continually say 'I'm ready!' and 'Send me to the Bahamas!!' but the truth of the matter is I would miss him terribly, and would feel incredibly lost.  Still, we look forward to a night away. . .some day. . .

This month has been wonderful, and challenging.  Kyalo's spending a lot of time in his crib in time out (for hitting me, for throwing something, for any number of reasons) and I always make sure he tells me why he was put in his crib, and have him say 'sorry, mom, for throwing' (or whatever).  Now, if only I could get him to stop doing these things in the first place.  The crib continues to be my go-to place for now, but it is only a matter of time before he can climb out of it. Then it'll be back to square one I guess.

The biggest milestone of this month is probably the potty training.  We got him his own 'unnerware' in Target and that really helped motivate him to pee in the potty.  Unfortunately, 'Homas the Train' is not 100% magical as we've yet to have a boo-boo in the potty.  He'll ask for a diaper for that still.  At only 2 1/2 I know we have time.  I just hope it isn't too much longer til he feels ready to make that leap.  He sleeps through the night most of the time now in his underwear, but there have been many changes of clothes and sheets in the middle of the night.

I've been having a lot of dental care done, namely involving crowns courtesy of my dental-student husband.  So we talk about it a lot, and Dexter is often looking into my mouth to check on things.  But, I think the Cutest Dentist award goes to Kyalo:

We're back to a full schedule right now - swimming, story hour, music class. I'm impressed by how much change I see in him, esp in the swimming class, which we hadn't done since June.  He now confidently jumps into the swimming pool without any hesitation.

Dexter and I both recently started a new workout routine, Dexter doing his at night after school.  Kyalo is always asking if Papa will exercise (how's that for pressure?)  and wants to get in on the action as well.

work it out

You might notice his hair looks a little shorter.  One night, after Dexter put him to bed, we could still hear him in his crib. Since he sounded distressed, I went to check on him.  He kept saying, "Mom, stuck. Stuck."  He had twisted his thumb so tightly into his hair that it was stuck - and losing circulation, so we had to cut his thumb free.  Since these pictures were taken, we've had to cut his hair again because he pulls his hair out. I would go to his crib and find clumps of hair in the bed with him.  Apparently, that's a condition of some sort, so we want to prevent it from becoming a habit.  I think making it shorter has helped.  Besides, it was time for the boy to get a proper trimming.

I mentioned last month that counting is not Kyalo's strong suit.  Here's the evidence:

(warning, this video - like this post - is long. just under 2 minutes. don't feel you have to watch)

OK, so, he may not be able to count exactly 1 - 10 yet, in English OR Swahili, I think it is impressive that he can count, 2, 4, 6, or 3, 6, 9. Maybe he just can't be bothered by such simple methods?  Also, "it sell down" means fell down.  I love it.  

Other things of note this month:

- a new tooth came in, leaving just the four molars to go. One of these days, we'll get to a dentist.

- He loves to read. He's recently discovered Clifford the Big Red Dog and is totally in love.  He also loves his Jesus Storybook Bible (although you wouldn't know it, since, in a fit of anger one day, he ripped the covers off!!), and especially the story of 'Golia-sh-sth"  we read it every.single.night.  I didn't love this children's Bible at first, but it has grown on me.  I think Kyalo connects to it in ways I can't fully understand, adult that I am.

His talking is really taking off right now, much to my relief, since he was slow to start.  Here are some of the cute things he's been saying:

"What making, Mom? Pasta?"  (yes) "Oh! YUM"

"No! Tcha-cho do it!" "Tcha-cho's turn"

(when giving him a cracker/snack)  "No, Want a BIG ONE!"

"Carry you" (when he wants to be carried)

"Tcha-cho share Eyen!!" (Kyalo share Ellen - I bring snacks with us to the various activities we do with Ellen.  Kyalo will ask for something, and immediately announce he'll share with Ellen)

"Tcha-cho likes chockit"  or, more recently, "Tcha-cho likes DAT!"  (This can be about food, about a book, about just about anything)

(putting underwear on) me: "such a big boy, wearing underwear!"  Kyalo:  "No! Kyalo a MAN."

And that, folks, is a wrap.