August 26, 2014 (2 Years, 6 months, 5 days)

Andrew has really been embracing the garden harvest this season. He asks to pick tomatoes every day, he loves eating Daddy's homemade pickles, and he even helped husk corn.

Andrew continues to amaze me with his ever expanding vocabulary and complex thinking.

Andrew interacts more and more with his baby brother Alex as he is getting bigger. He is very helpful with giving Alex his nuk when he is fussing. He also likes to take his nuk away and hide it under the couch, in a random drawer, etc. Andrew makes silly faces and noises to try and get Alex to smile or giggle. Often if Alex is fussing or crying Andrew will go up to him and give him a toy and say "you okay baby", other times he isn't as patient like the other day in the car when Alex was crying and Andrew told him "settle down baby!"

Andrew continues his obsession with all things train related. He has worn his Thomas the Train footie pajamas so many times that his toe poked a hole through. He was really sad when he pointed it out to me and asked to change to different PJs.

After being quite successful with using the potty Andrew  now wants nothing to do with his big boy underwear. He still uses the potty several times a day but he is back to wearing diapers for now.

Andrew loves swimming! He did great at swimming lessons and he loves to play in his cousin's pool. He has no fear and jumps right in to the water. He paddles around really well with a life jacket and arm floats on.

We went camping for our family reunion and Andrew loved it. He enjoyed all the outside play time and did really well with staying up later than usual around the fire. For days afterwards he was telling everyone that he slept in a tent outside.

Andrew tries to assert control over his world by demanding certain sippy cups or different colored plates and bowls. We are working on using our manners and not having a meltdown if our dishes are the wrong color.

Andrew gets really upset if you try to cut his food for him, saying "No, Andrew want to eat it like that!"

If Andrew has his way he would eat watermelon for breakfast, lunch, supper, and all snacks.

July 27, 2014 (2 Years, 5 Months, 6 days)

Andrew likes to get out his play lawn mower when Daddy is mowing the yard so he can help.

Andrew had fun playing with his Minnesota cousins who came to stay with us over the Fourth of July weekend.

Andrew ran in his 2nd Neighborhood Fourth of July kids fun run. He was so excited to start he was at the front of the pack but after a few moments he got confused, started playing the sand, and picking dandelions. He ended up coming in last but he had fun!

Andrew is terrified of the carousel at the zoo but in love with the train!

Andrew is obsessed with all things train related. He plays with his toy trains everyday even taking them with to the park, in the van, and to bed. He loves to ride the train at the zoo. The only thing he ever wants to watch is Thomas the Train.

Keeping Andrew in bed at naps and night time has been a challenge, he used to lay down and go to sleep, now he gets up continuously, opening his door and coming down the hallway. He is still figuring out how to sleep in his big boy bed.

 

Andrew loves to read books. He usually picks a favorite and wants to read it every time. He then gets sad when the book has to go back to the library and continues to ask for it for several weeks.

Andrew had a blast helping pick strawberries at the Berry Farmer. Very few of the berries he picked made it to the box, though. We were joking that they should have weighed Andrew and charged us for him because he ate so many strawberries. He was a sight of red!

Andrew started swimming lessons and he really enjoys them. He is still scared to blow bubbles but he loves getting wet and splashing around. He clings tight to Daddy the whole time.

Andrew has outsmarted most of the baby proofing tools in the house, he can now open the baby gate, unplug the outlet covers, and open doors with the handle covers on them.

Andrew got a haircut this month that makes him look like such a big kid!

 

Andrew has staked his claim over his parents. We are no longer just "Mommy" and "Daddy," we are "My Mommy" and "My Daddy."

 

Andrew tries to climb up and on everything. We have been spending a lot of time at the local parks trying to burn off his never ending energy.

 

 

 

June 21, 2014 (2 years, 4 months)

Andrew loves to help out in the kitchen, mostly because he always sneaks a taste of whatever we are making before it is ready, here he took a bite out of his pizza crust.

Andrew continues to give his baby brother lots of loving attention. He likes to hold him, bring him toys, and lay with him during floor time.

 

Andrew was really excited about going to the splash park. Unfortunately when we got there he was afraid of the spraying water and would only go in the water if Daddy was carrying him.

 

Andrew is continuing to work on his climbing skills, often making Mommy really nervous! He is getting to be really good though.

 Daddy took Andrew fishing and helped him catch his first fish.

 

 

 Andrew often does not want his food cut up for him. When Andrew sees Mommy getting ready to cut up his sandwhiches, apples, etc he insists "Andrew want eat it like that!" So naturally he didn't want the corn cut off his cob!

Andrew painted Daddy a plate for his Father's Day gift at Fired Up Pottery. It turned out super cute!

 

May 28 (2 years, 3 months, 1 week)

Andrew is really sweet with his baby brother Alex. Often if Alex is in his bouncy chair and starts fussing Andrew will go over to him and say "It okay baby" and try to put his nuk in his mouth. Andrew also likes to lay on the floor by Alex for tummy time, give him hugs, hold him, and bring him toys to hold. He has also been known to yank Alex's nuk out of his mouth and run it over to Mommy saying "wash it, wash it."

Andrew's transition from his crib to his big boy bed started off really smoothly but then Andrew realized he could actually get up out of bed rather than lay down and fall asleep. So, naptime and bedtime have been a bit more challenging as of late but usually after a couple reminders he does stay in bed and go to sleep. One time he decided to take all the clothes out of his dresser which turned in to a battle of wills when he woke up and Mommy insisted that he help put his clothes back before he could go play.

Andrew is turning in to quite a good little climber! Thankfully the weather has finally warmed up so he has been able to practice his climbing skills on the jungle gyms at the parks in addition to the couches and tables at home. He loves playing outside and going for walks to the park.

Andrew has officially started potty training! We started by watching a cute video called "Potty Power" which got him really fired up to use his potty chair and wear underwear. We also colored a poster that says Potty Power and bought stickers for potty prizes. Unfortunately after trying on his underwear Andrew decided that he "no want wear underwear!!!" So, Andrew was set loose to run around the house without pants and much to my surprise he went right for the potty whenever he had to go. He lost interest in the stickers after less than a day but as long as he is naked Andrew has been doing great using the potty with only a couple accidents. We are still working on remembering to use the potty when he is wearing underwear or a diaper.

A few of Andrew's favorite things right now are the ducks that swim in our next door neighbors pool, trains, bunnies in the yard, the pond across the street, pushing his stroller on the sidewalk, the park, the library, open gym, and juice.

April 21, 2014 (2 Years, 2 Months)

Andrew welcomed his baby brother Alex into the world on April 8th. Andrew adores his brother and though he sometimes needs reminders that we don't poke eyes or throw toys by him, he is for the most part really sweet and gentle with him.

Andrew spent a couple days with Grandma and Papa while Mommy and Daddy were in the hospital with Alex. He had a great time and only missed home at bedtime. Once he got back home he kept asking "Grandma play toys?"

Andrew likes to bring Alex toys to play with and he gets right up in his face to say "Hi Baby, Hi, Hi Brother!"

Andrew transitioned to a big boy bed this month after all his jumping finally took its toll on his crib and broke a side rail. The first night he laid down and went right to sleep. He has ended up on the floor twice but otherwise it has been a relatively smooth transition.

Andrew insists that you not only kiss but also hug his owies. Sometimes he wants to kiss his own owies until he realizes that he cannot kiss his own forehead, elbow, etc then he asks for help.

Andrew is Daddy's big helper outside working in the yard and building the shed.

 

Andrew also likes to help in the kitchen and is especially good at mashing bananas.

 

Andrew had a great Easter. He got to go to two Easter Egg Hunts one in our neighborhood and the other at America's Best Flowers. He was really excited to see the Easter Bunny and kept his eyes on him the whole time.

 

 

 Andrew had a lot of fun decorating Easter Eggs with kool aid and stickers. He was really upset when we were all done. He also wasn't happy about Daddy eating his Easter Eggs the next day.

 

 

The Easter bunny filled Andrew's basket with plastic eggs, an Easter book, a stuffed animal duck, a new Elmo toothbrush, and watercolor paint supplies. Andrew's favorite part was the empty plastic eggs.

 

 

March 21, 2014 (2 years, 1 month)

 

When Andrew feels the need to show off, he does so by jumping up and down, running in circles, and hitting his head saying "Owie owie owie."

It took Andrew a couple days but he adjusted well to the daylight savings time change and now he sleeps in until around 6-6:30!!

Andrew loves to go on walks and splash in puddles. He is excited to finally be able to play outside and never wants to go back inside. No toys needed- rocks, melting snow, and sticks are all it takes to keep him entertained outdoors. He also likes to be pushed on his bike-he isn't big enough to really reach the pedals or the ground when sitting down.

Andrew knows most shapes, colors, animals, and corresponding animal sounds. He likes to repeat after you letters, numbers, months, and days of the week. He can count up to 4 on his own.

Andrew likes to clarify whether something is big or little. He also recognizes when there is one or two of something.

Andrew loves to put money in his piggy bank.

Andrew likes to get out his computer, vacuum, phone, etc so he can be just like Mommy and Daddy.

Andrew's 2 year old molars are starting to poke through.

Andrew is talking more and more everyday and he is able to string together several word sentences. "Andrew still eating" "Daddy be home soon" "Finn come over today"

Andrew loves to dance and insists that you dance with him.

February 21, 2014 (2 Years!)

I cannot believe that Andrew is two years old already!!! He continues to amaze me with how much he learns and grows everyday. He is a very active, curious, social, and sweet little boy.

When asked how old he is, Andrew holds up his two pointer fingers and says "Two!"

Andrew is becoming more aware and thoughtful of the needs of others. He is often very concerned about making sure other kids have their blankets, cups, and special toys. We are still working on sharing and not taking toys from others but he is getting better at waiting for his turn and he likes to bring other children toys to play with.

Andrew is Mommy's little helper, he likes helping with laundry, feeding kitties and turtle, washing the table, sweeping, and vacuuming.

Andrew is continuing to practice using the potty. He doesn't tell us when he has to go but if we sit him on the potty he almost always goes and he is usually very proud of himself!

We finally had a couple days when the weather was warm enough to play outside in the snow. Andrew loved helping shovel the driveway but in the yard he struggled to walk in the deep snow and became very frustrated when he kept getting stuck or falling down.

Some nights Andrew uses delay tactics to put off going night night. His usual requests include rocking chair, juice, milk, water, book, song, feed turtle, and see Daddy.

Andrew enjoys arts and craft and asks to do "projects" often. His favorite things to do are glue paper, scribble with markers, and finger paint.

Andrew really likes the train set that he got for his birthday from mommy and daddy. I think he likes the box even more.

Andrew had a fun birthday party. His aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents all came over to play and celebrate.