49 months

Isaac turned 49 months a few days ago.

Attitude: we ended the month better than we started the month.  There is still a lack of focus, which frustrates Ben and me, but not so much blatant non-listening.  Beyond that he is still very silly and will laugh at the drop of a hat.  [Probably literally, although I haven't actually tried it.]

Learning: I'm so happy with how much he is learning academically.   He still sounds out the first letter of words and gets them.  The other day he read "Off" and "Go" without any context (and "on" and "stop" after the former ones).  I'm sure there are other words he knows, I just haven't found them yet.  He can mostly count 1-20 but does get stuck on 12.  Listening him count backwards from 10 is pretty funny...he mostly gets it but not completely.  He knows that 100 and million and billion are big numbers.

Socializing: We've noticed Isaac tends to play by himself when by other kids, but that isn't always the case.  As I've been watching more closely I see him playing with others too, just not as much as by himself.  (Which is fine.  Both in moderation, right?)  I think he likes school except for the nap time...nap time really breaks it for him.  But he happily goes into the class room.

Imagination: He is still a puppy dog.  (Joshua called him Isaac the other day and Ben and I were so proud and Isaac yells over "My name is Puppy Dog!")  However, there hasn't been as much actually being a puppy again this month.  He still loves playing imagination games like Castle and Bucky the pirate ship and takes an hour to get dressed, probably because he is playing with them.

Doing stuff by himself: This past month we celebrated his complete independence with the toilet.  He likes to use the TV remote and does a good job with the new one we have.  He can make his own tasty water.  He can do lego instructions as long as there are a limited number of pieces (so only the pieces for a few of the steps at a time).

(He likes his new quilt because it's soft.)

Sunday: Bible study

Our Bible study meet today.  It was the first time in a while, and was really nice to talk with everyone.  Isaac and Joshua enjoyed playing with all the different toys (and somewhat with the other kids).  In fact, they even played well with each other twice today.

Saturday night

Friend: I think my daughter has been feeling a little sick to her stomach because I've been feeding her expletives.

Everyone breaks out laughing

Friend: No! No!  Laxitives!  I always get those mixed up.

Two days ago: 18months

Joshua turned a year and a half!

Talking: he's gotten several more words down.  We think he has neigh and Isaac and maybe Joshua.  Moo and choo-choo are very clear.

Attitude: he's been extra clingy and grumpy the last week or so.  Absurdly so.  It'd think it's teeth, but I think he has all his teeth.  I'm sure it's something, but it is extra annoying.  He's still happy to go to school/nursery/gym.  He still loves his lovies and has told daycare that they are not supposed to take them away several times.  He throws things when he's mad.

Activities: He has started to enjoy books a lot more.  He will look at them by himself and brings them to me a ton more to read together.  He likes to play with the toys in Isaac's bedroom.  He also likes to chase Flurry, but is very gentle with her.  He does a pretty good job of entertaining himself.

Eating: Eating has still only been ok.  He's been throwing food on the floor more and that is not acceptable.  He really likes snacks and gets grumpy if he is hungry.  He still nurses 2-3x per day.

Sleeping: He sleeps about 11-12 hours at night, waking once to nurse.  He naps for 1-2 hours during the day.  He will often end up sleeping with me for an hour or so at some point during the day.  He's a light sleeper.

Wednesday: getting older

I realized that I had forgotten to turn on Isaac's alarm at quiet time.  So I went in after about an hour (because I wasn't taking a nap)! Only to find that he had turned it on himself.  How awesome is that!?!

This evening we were trying to get Joshua to say some words we've been working on.  I thought I had heard Neigh twice today.  Ben asked Joshua to say Joshua.  He pointed to himself and said something that sort of resembled Joshua.  Then we asked him to say Isaac.  And he said something that was kind of like Isaac.

Tuesday: No

Isaac: "Mom!  I'm going to write you a note!  It's going to say "No""

He did it all by himself!

Then he ran around trying to put it Joshua's back.  Joshua runs quite quickly, so it was a challenge.

I'm not really sure what it means, but it feels like it has a deep meaning.

Monday: walking, talking...

Today there were only a few things that needed to be done, and no where to go.  Isaac suggested playing bouncy balls.  It worked for a while.  Joshua was enjoying wearing his helmet.  Bouncy balls were being played with.

Then Isaac wanted to play "Walking Talking Bouncy Balls" on the carpet.  He showed me that in order for them to walk you made them hop a bit...your hands never left the ball.  I said no.  I'm not a fan of imagination games that much to begin with, but understand that Isaac loves them.  So we do them sometimes.  But I drew the line today at making my Bouncy Balls talk.  He asked several times.  I said no several times.

Then we made spice bars.