35 months old

Hi Easton...it's your Ama!

Finally I am posting on your blog on the occasion of your 35th month!  Can it be that you will turn three years old in one more month?  I have let so much time pass by without posting about your amazing third year.  In the months since my last post in September you have become a full fledged little boy, full of fun, laughter, mischief and adventure.  You love race cars, your friends at school, videos about monster trucks and race cars, and those with you and your cousins, Austin and Brennan.  You have moved on from the longer videos for the most part and want to be doing your own thing on the computer or my ipad.  The iphone doesn't hold the same fascination for you as it once did since both your mom and i have ipads now.  You like the larger images and easier access to the apps.  You are full of hugs (on your terms) and will surprise me with an 'I love you, Ama' right in the middle of playing cars or flipping froggies, or throwing a football.  It comes out of nowhere.  Those words are so heartwarming, especially out of the mouth of a little one!

You have also begun the task of training yourself to use the potty.  Oh boy!  At first, it was I who was trained...watching your every move to recognize signs that you needed to hurry on into the bathroom, not without some resistance on many trips.  But now, you are recognizing that you need to go by yourself, and you will stop in the middle of play and run for the potty announcing along the way "I need to go potty".  That is a major step and one that just started here at our house this last week.  You haven't had an accident in over a week, except of course for the poop.  That is another story...and I can't wait til you decide that is part of the process!  For some reason, you just don't want to sit on the potty to go poop!  I know the signs and when you hide under the dining table, that is my cue that it is time to go try.  But I am always too late...it's done before I can get you there, and you go willingly to have me clean you up...you don't like to 'wear' it!  And it's especially crucial for a quick change when you have on your underwear!  Anyway, enough about the poop and pee training...it is progressing and we are all so glad.  It had to be your idea, so I know the other will happen when you decide it will!

You are liking school now.  When I first talked about your starting to preschool, you were crying some when we left you there, but now it is routine, and you go willingly with no tears or major meltdowns during the day.  You love seeing your friends and your teachers, Ms Liz and Mz Casey!  They always report that you are 'energetic' and 'active' and full of happy smiles and excitement.  Some of that exuberance gets you into trouble on occasion, and we are working on that, but it has been a hard lesson so far.  You are testing your boundaries with behaviors and it gets you into timeout at school.  Mom and Dad are concerned that you will be 'that kid', but I know you are smart enough to figure out that the behaviors that are getting you in trouble now are not acceptable, and you will adjust them accordingly.  It's already getting a little better.

And here at Ama and Papa's house, you are as much at home as you are at your own.  You know where everything is and how everything works.  You have fun with Buddy and play with your toys all day long.  Here lately because of the bad weather and cold, we haven't been able to get outside as much as we'd like, and it's hard on an active little boy!  Channeling your energy is a challenge on those days when we are confined to the house.  In the next few weeks, I hope to plan a few little 'field trips' to places where you can run and play indoors.  That might help!

You are excited about turning three...you tell me regularly that you are 'almost free' with such confidence that three is a magic number.  You know that your cousin Daniel is three so it seems to be an important milestone for you.  I am anxious to see what year four has in store for us.  It's been a ride so far, and one I am glad to have been a part.
I love you sweet Pumpkin.
Your Ama