23 Months

Oh...here we go...one more month before the big 0-2. I'm so excited for this little bugger. He's so big. He's got so much strength, he doesn't even realize it. He likes to tackle, push, shove, move, wrestle...he's all boy. His older brother doesn't really help him sit still either. He's got the same weight and head circumference as his older brother- he's going to be a big one. He totally grew out of 18 mo clothing this past week. Pants are too short and shirts will show his belly. So, we recently went shopping for 2T clothing. I thought he could wear Dom's hand me downs, but most of the pants were all thinned out and discolored. How awful....any excuse to go to Ross and Tjmaxx right? He'll get most of it for Christmas. For now, he's just wearing new church clothes...those are absolutely necessary right now.

We voted!....high water pants....haha

He's my tv watcher. If he really wants to watch something, he will find his seat on the sofa (usually next to me) and we'll watch whatever he wants (his older brother STILL doesn't do that!). He loves food, but is now getting picky. He is starting to notice that if he whines enough he MAY get more snacks than food. He's definitely starting to have a voice. He'll tell me when he doesn't want to wear certain shirts, or pants...or diapers...haha. Yeah, He really does that. He'll say "NO" and run away. Sometimes, like for church, I will let him pick the outfit...I'll give him two choices of shirts and he'll usually pick the polo...he's not a fan of button up shirts, especially because he watches Dom whine about them.
 He loves shoes. He loves to try anyone's shoes on- Dom's, mama's boots, Dad's working shoes. He's got three pairs himself that he uses on a daily basis haha.

Turkey feast at D's school.

He also likes letters and numbers..TOO MUCH right now. He can tell you and recognize their names, even if you don't go in order, he will still tell you that eight is an eight.  He basically thought himself with the iPad. How cool is that?!? Every time we go to the grocery store, and he'll look up at the cashier number and let me now "one"...."eight". He's so smart. First thing he does when he wakes up, is get the iPad and do the Elmo app.....like clockwork...exactly 7:30 am...before big brother wakes up and takes it from him. He's the morning guy...mainly because he goes to bed at 8pm (compared to older brother who goes to bed at 10pm).

He also loves letters. He's gotten so good. He probably only say about half of them. But again, he recognizes them, even if they are not in order. My mom has telecaption on her TV, and he loves watching the letter appear and disappear. It's like a game- how many can I name before they disappear? Haha, he's pretty cute. My mom is teaching him Spanish (or at least understand it) and he's doing well. He's a lot better than Dom was....so clearly language is his thing.

The boys' birthday party was a huge hit!

He loves to color. Give him any coloring utensil and a piece of paper...and he will not STOP until that piece of paper is completely covered. Keeps him quiet for about 10 minutes. He loves it all- dry erase, markers, window markers, chalk, crayon, coloring pencils, water colors....whatever you got. He loves coloring books, chalkboard, paper, color wonder paper.....anything. I have seen him draw with chalk on the kitchen floor (and his booster seat at the kitchen table)...but thankfully, nothing on the walls yet. But I do keep an eye on him...I dont' trust him and therefore will NEVER leave him alone. If I ever did leave him alone, only color wonder will do. What a genius idea! I bought more markers in the after school sales for pennies on the dollar. Too bad the paper is not cheap. But for the sake of my sanity (and quiet sacrament meetings) I will pay whatever for it.

He loves to come with me on shopping trips. He loves being pushed in the cart and will never ask for anything....yet. So, he's my favorite shopping buddy. He'll ask to see a toy. I give it to him. He'll look at it with real intention, then put it back....or put it in the cart...haha, and THEN I put it back on the shelf. He doesn't mind though, he's a trooper. He's the only one that helps me clean up the toy room, and loves organizing. He also gets distracted easily...but I think that's all toddler boys. He loves playing with Dom in the back of the car, and Dom loves making him laugh. When he's alone in the tub for bath time, Dom will go in there and do goofy stuff to make him laugh.

Ethan decided to share his halloween candy.

I do have to tell you, there was this instance (last week) where we went to a restaurant as a family (Dom calls it "restaurant day" because it doesn't happen very often) and it happened to be kids night. There was a clown giving the kids balloon swords and even painted Dom's face.  When we were in the car, coming back home, Ethan kept squeezing the darn balloon and Dom thought he was going to pop it (he doesn't like loud noises) so he was freaking out (especially in a tight space like the car). He couldn't reach Ethan because they both had seat belts on. Ethan is giggling, because he finds it oh so funny that Dom is annoyed, and Dom is about to lose it....and he finally breaks down.

Dom's primary program

"OK. NO MORE! No more brothers....NO more sisters....No more babies!" .......yeah......he really did say that. I wish I could have gotten it on video.....except I was driving. He was so frustrated....that was the only thing that came to his mind. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. And I asked Dom "why no more babies, Buddy?".....his reply? "they make me mad!, so no more!". So, there you have it.....straight from the mouth of babes. He really does love Ethan, but Ethan starting this destructive phase....where he destroys everything and then just laughs when people tell him NO or even cry. I tried spanking him, but he laughs...the little booger laughs!....he's too young for time out, so I"m not really sure what the proper punishment is here.....except taking him to another room to leave big brother alone. It's hard to show love for someone when they destroy everything you build....I totally get it. But every Saturday morning (Dom is at my mom's) Dom will call Ethan to say good morning and he misses him....so deep down, he does love him. Dom is my sensitive one.

Next time I write about him....He'll be two! We're so excited for him!