Two

 It's hard to believe, but two years have passed since Abram was born. So much happens so quickly.

We had a birthday party for him at my parents house. Almost all of our families were there (no Tim, Mammaw Wagner or Kimberly). I slaved for a few days over Abram's cake again this year and it turned out very nice. I love making these special cakes and Abram really liked it too...at least he enjoyed eating it!

"Choo Choo" Cake

The spread of Abram's favorite snacks.

Eating the cake!

Lots of nice presents and playing with cousins!

The last month or so leading up to the present has been an interesting time. So many changes and developments that I have trouble keeping track of them!

Abram had his 2 yr. appointment on the 22nd. He was 30 lbs 4 oz (73rd %), 36 inches tall (90th %). He checked out healthy and made it out of there with only a quick flu shot. He has to go back in another month or so for two other shots but then he's done for quite a while! He has all his teeth now, so a trip to see the dentist will be happening this year. Not sure whether to take him to see Leslie where she works...he might do better for her since he knows her. He loves to brush his teeth and will let me brush too, but he wouldn't say "ah" for the Dr. He just looked at her like she was crazy then cried when she pried a bit to see.

One word at a time has turned into 2+ word sentences, with much more mimicking. An independent little attitude has appeared out of nowhere, complete with "no", "mine", occasional foot stomping dance and floor flops...all of which are being curbed. I am determined to raise a pleasant child whom everyone loves to have around! He's also saying nice things like repeating prayers after us (usually just the last word or key word from what we've said), asking "what u doin?", "Daddy work", "Baby crying" (quickly followed by "paci"), saying "back" while holding up one finger when he wants to leave the room but will "be right back", tickling and saying "giddy, giddy, giddy". Voluntarily saying "me me" for "excuse me" after making any rude noise. He says some words very clearly, such as "Tyson", but others are still a bit dutch. He gets lazy on quite a few consonants, like "J". For the longest time, Joan was "on", which was also phone and on., Now Joan is "tone"...a bit better, not quite there! haha  Just now he ran past me into the kitchen with a wet block to dry on the kitchen towel, saying "wash" several times. My response, "Abram don't put the blocks in the dog's water!" He's also given his Dog "drinks" out of the dog's water and then not gotten to sleep with him for a few  days while he dries out.

His favorite toys are his "Dog", his "Doll", and his "Choo Shoon" (leap frog train set he got for his birthday). He and our neighbor boys that I sit for play with lots of other toys downstairs, but those are his current favorites. He has been choosing, "Are you my Mother?" by P.D. Eastman for his "one book" at bedtime, but "Napping House", and the Katz lift-a-flap books are still popular as well. He's very fond of watching "Sid the Science Kid" and "Word World" which we often watch at lunchtime. While I fix dinner he likes to watch "Nemo" or "Woody" (he got Toy Story for his birthday too). I try to limit the tv/movie time, but with the cold weather and a newborn, we're stuck inside a lot...so TV time happens. Looking forward to warmer weather and walks in the park:-)

Playing with his birthday train

For a toddler, he eats great! He tries/eats most everything that we eat at lunch and dinner and loves just about all breakfast food. He especially loves "cracka' of any type and will ask for that when he's hungry, or just "foo[d]". His favorites right now are eggs, waffles/pancakes, cereal, toast, macaroni, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, apples, etc. He's also eating grapes for me now on occasion which he used to refuse and he even will eat sliced up raw carrot sticks and broccoli with ranch dressing. He will also eat meals I've made like lasagna, chimichangas, pizza, spaghetti, pork chops. He really does eat well and of course he LOVES dessert!

Up until Lydia was born, Abram was using the potty for #2 almost 85-90% of the time. It was WONDERFUL since it made cloth diapering easy peasy! Now it has dropped below 50%. I knew it might happen but it's hard not to be disappointed/frustrated by the regression. Toddler poo diapers might as well be adult poo diapers, they are so gross. He has at least started telling me when he has pooped, so that's a step in the right direction. After we move, and it's warmer, we'll get this potty training started for real!

Abram has done really well with Lydia...he occasionally forgets himself and is too rough around her, but we're ever watchful when they are close together. He always asks for her, but to him, her name is "baby" and he will argue if you say differently. When we first brought her home, he became very motherly to his stuffed dog and always wanted a "bankie" to swaddle dog in at all times. The funniest moment was when he was sitting on the potty naked and I looked over and he appeared to be "breastfeeding" Dog. haha  He has more recently turned his attention to his one baby doll and carries her around with a blanket, puts her in the swing or bouncy seat, gives her one of his old pacifiers, pats her back. It's very, very sweet....and then he'll toss her down the stairs so he can hold the railing. Ha!

Swaddled "Dog"

"Jenny-enny Doll" in the swing.

 I'm anxious about some of the transitions we face as Abram farther into toddlerhood, like moving to a big bed....I know it's going to happen sooner than later. It seems like every month brings a new set of challenges and as soon as we get through one set, there's another to take its place. Fortunately, each month there's also so much more that Abram can do and say and it's fun to play and interact with him. He can be a challenge but he's ours and we love him to pieces. 

Here's a few videos of some of the cute and not-so-cute things Abram's been doing lately.

The Cute:

This is the only thing my deflated belly is good for right now! I was a bit slobbery after this!

The Not-So-Cute:

Oh, Abram, you tire me some days.