Owen Update- 2.5 years

Yes, Owen is still here.  I haven't been talking about him much lately because, well, there's so much to say!

People have been commenting on his conversation skills lately.  I guess I have always thought he was a great talker, and I also see more of the gradual progression so I didn't notice.  But yes, he is VERY conversational.  He's also very imaginative, so it's interesting just sitting and listening to the stories he comes up with.  Some of my favorites from the past few weeks:

- I put his dinner on his plate and he said "That looks AMAZING!"  It made me blush, seriously.  What a compliment!

- He was rambling on about something after lunch and all I caught was the end: "....I'm going to clean it out because it is YUCKY and GROSS" (yes, he says all those words, clear as day.  I'm not translating.  Also, I have no idea what was gross?)

I could go on.  He cracks me up all day long, seriously.  About 50x a day I tell Kraig something along the lines of "I just love him at this age.  He is so awesome."  I don't mean to gloat, but after hearing everyone say "just wait 'til he's two!" for the past two years, I have to say- What's the big deal?  He's pretty much amazing now.  That may come back to bite me when he's 3 (or 13), but for now we are enjoying this mild-tempered, intelligent, sweet little man.


About that temper- well, he doesn't really have one.  He gets kind of bossy, but I think that is his way of throwing a tantrum because we certainly don't see many (any?) all-out tantrums.  And honestly, it's pretty funny when he's bossy.  It's hard to "discipline" him (and let him know that we don't appreciate being spoken to that way) when it's so stinkin' cute.  He's usually trying to boss Kraig around (i.e. "No talking, DADDY!" or "NO doing that, DADDY!" in his most firm, most emphatic voice).  I kid that he is vying for man-of-the-house.  I think he might win!  Kraig is a softie :-)

Not to say that Owen is a bully- surely not.  He is actually pretty sensitive.  Recently another child his age was stealing food from Owen's hands so Kraig intervened and let the other child know that he could get him some of his own food if he'd like.  Owen got pretty upset... but we try to let him know that he can establish his personal boundaries and say "I don't want you to do that".  Work in progress.  (Owen must also be just like me- I can't stand when people take food off my plate!  Haha!)

When he's not being bossy, talking up a storm, or making up stories with his toys, he is very content.  He sits still and entertains himself for quite a while.  He is not a very physical little guy- sure he can get going when there are other, usually older, boys around, but when he's just here with us he's pretty laid-back.  I honestly don't think anything of it until there is another, more rambunctious kid around- then I really appreciate Owen's contentedness.  For instance, we babysat an 18-month old last week and WOW was he active.  All over the place!  Climbing!  Running!  Jumping!  Playing!  What a difference from our little guy.  We're spoiled, methinks.



He's been handling his transition to the big bed pretty well, considering that it is a huge change.  There was a brief period of resistance but he stays in the bed and sleeps really well.  He sure makes this parenting gig easy for us.  He is waking up super early though, so we're working on that.  Potty training has been going better lately.  He's been going on the potty multiple times a day (on his own, even!) and had his first trip in the car sans-diaper!  He stayed dry for the 45 minutes we were in the car.  I was so proud!

Speaking of being proud (can I brag about my kid for a few more minutes?), he is counting so well- up to 15, but he usually stops at 12- and can recite the last half of the alphabet (starting at L).  He gets the first half, but G - K are a mess.  He just put together a 24-piece floor puzzle that he had never seen before.  That was pretty darn impressive.  He loves reading and can help me "read" from memory his favorite books (Eric Carle).  He seems to be much more a thinker and not so much an athlete.  (He still needs some help navigating staircases, for example.  Maybe that's because he's kind of short (10th percentile)).  Honestly, I kind of prefer it this way- Nerds Unite!

We're learning songs together, like the Itsy Bitsy Spider, Cuppycake (he loves when I sing this one to him before bed, and Kraig will sing his own version of made-up lyrics), and a few that Donna (next door) teaches him.  He catches on pretty quickly to the words and can be caught singing to himself throughout the day.

This is by far my favorite update of all-  he says "I love you" all on his own.  I don't think there is anything better than hearing, out of the blue, "Mama, I love you."  Such a sweetheart!

I'm probably missing so many milestones, but that's the jist at 30 months.  We're so very proud of him and love watching him grow and learn.  He brings so much joy to our days.