TWO 1/2

Anderson at 2 1/2...

Likes: narrating his life to anyone who will listen, watching Finding Nemo, reading books,occasionally peeing in the potty, playing in water in any form, throwing sand/dirt/rocks, drinking chocolate milk, jumping on or off of anything, running, construction equipment, Monday (garbage men day), hugs, interacting with people, going on walks , fire trucks, tow trucks, trains, snakes, his animal towels (snake, lion, monster), Dora, Diego & Wow Wow Wubzy (the fireman episode only), telling everyone exactly what he is thinking.

Dislikes: sitting still, wearing an eyepatch, pooping in the potty, eating, peeing in the potty, most food, sleeping, not getting his way

Sleeping: You may remember from basically the past 2 1/2 years that Anderson is not a sleeper. At all. He is not averaging about 7.5-8 hours TOTAL a day. He is exhausted, which really doesn't help provide calmness to an already intense personality. Oh, and that little chunk of time is not even straight through. Most nights it is 9:30-5:30 or 10-6, with at least one wake up call appearing next to my bed during the night.

I have really just adjusted to the lack of sleep (Brandon might disagree) because it seems to be getting less and less, which is sort of scary. I knew it was bad when I felt rested instead of jet lagged after traveling to Europe! Due to time changes & 3 flights, we were traveling 28 hours straight on the way home & everyone else seemed exhausted by my little cat naps of 30 minutes here & there seemed just like home, so I was ready to go!

I have given up on calling this a phase. It is my life & I just have to accept it or I'm going to dwell in the misery of comparing him to other kids who are sleeping 9 hours a night or taking a nap or BOTH! (Does that even exist? Surely not.) Anyway, I went through the phase of telling myself it won't last forever, one day he will be a teenager and you'll wish he woke up, nobody goes to college still getting up at 5, etc. Didn't help. Neither did people/internet's advice on what works for THEIR kid. Everyone is different and sometimes people just luck up and get good sleepers. Most kids aren't as much fun as Anderson, so there's that, too. :)

Potty Training: You might remember SIX months ago when we started potty training & it was going pretty well. Hmmm. I don't remember that too well, possibly because  I have spent the last 2 months cleaning poop off the floor so maybe my brain is clogged with carpet cleaning chemicals?

For some reason, Anderson has totally regressed with the toilet situation. We have tried offering rewards (toys, going to Dollywood to ride the train, etc.), taking stuff away (his fire trucks, bulldozer & ambulances are just sitting here until he poops in the potty) and just stalking him. For whatever reason, he is not interested.

Contrary to the sleeping thing, I know this is a phase. 

What is your favorite food? chicken

Color? green

Construction? bobcat, no ambulance & police car and fire engine (it's good he is decisive)

Truck? fire engine truck and race car

Person? Daddy (awesome)

Dog? Chloe. she's so soft!

Thing to do? play with my ambulance (which is currently in the "don't get it until you poop bucket")

my favorite things...

*When I am looking for him he always says, "Right hewe!" in the cutest little voice.

*His imaginary friend is a baby whale named Beluga. He carries him in his hands & takes the whole situation very seriously.

*"bobble? Bobble? BOBBLE? oh, there you are. " (LOVE the fact that I am still his Bobble!)

*"Let's read it, again!"

*"Oh, thank you, Bobble!" (randomly for buckling him in the carseat or putting his shirt on or something random. Then, the next time he will throw a huge fit!)

*he likes cherry tomatoes!

*His fascination by spider webs, boo boos, snakes and big buildings

*me:"Are you ready?" A: "Yes, I are ready."

 Attempts at a shot of him at 2 with his bear. I remember trying when he first turned 2 and he wouldn't cooperate & I decided to just wait 6 months because it would probably be easier. Oh, naivete.

little video of his flipping "skills"