Grady is two and a half!

Posted on May. 27, 2009 at 8:29 PM - Post Comment

So Grady is two and a half today - this year is flying by, which really makes me sad.  Anyway, I do have to say that I really don't understand why they call them the "terrible" 2s.  I LOVE this age!  I think I had a somewhat difficult one-year-old because he is so active, and he didn't yet understand that he couldn't just throw himself off stuff, etc.  But now he really listens pretty well and is just generally quite good.  He basically never throws tantrums either.  At this point, we don't spank (well, we never will be doing that) or do time outs (jury is out on that if we find that he is not listening well).  We basically just use consequences, and it works quite well.  I try to give a quick explanation, and it often works very well.  Like several months back he didn't want to hold hands in the parking lot.  We had recently read a book about a dog running in the road and almost getting hit by a truck.  I just brought up that story and told him that since he is small some cars can't see him, so to be safe he needs to hold my hand.  Ever since then he will actually hold out his hand for me to take it or say "hold hands in the parking lot!"  So that's good.

As far as verbal/reading skills, he has learned several letters - I would say there are about 6 that he knows consistently.  He is also asking "what does that say?" all the time now.  His language in general is very very strong.  He speaks in very long sentences, carries on conversations, and has a very big vocabulary.  He is really funny and has a great sense of humor.  We laugh together a lot. He loves to sing and will sing in his crib in the morning after he wakes up - "Twinkle Twinkle" is a favorite.

His physical skills are good.  He's a great runner - so fast and he never stumbles.  It's funny to watch his friends his age run after him because they can never catch him.  People comment on it all the time - "oh my goodness he is fast!"  He can kick very well too and will kick a ball all over the place.  Because of these skills I say he is going to play soccer some day.  He does not like to throw/catch a ball though.  I say "doesn't like to" because I don't even know if he CAN since he won't even try it.  He FINALLY learned to jump with both feet off the ground about 2 months ago.  Another strength is balance.  Just this morning at Gymboree he walked along a skinny balance beam by himself the whole way without falling off (I just spotted him in case).  So the physical skills are a mixed bag - some strengths and some things that he is slower on.

His social skills amaze me too.  He loves to go over to people and say hi and start up conversations with them.  He is also very empathetic. If he sees someone sad (in real life or a book) he will often get sad or say he is sad.  He is really good about saying "I'm sorry" if he hurts someone, even by accident.  He is extremely gentle, which makes me think he will be a good big brother.  He pats little babies soooo gently.  He just loves small babies and will often say things like "hi little baby - you are so cute tiny little baby".  He is very very affectionate with me and other people too.  He gives LOTS of hugs, kisses, and pats. If I get hurt or say I have a headache, he will insist on kissing the spot, hugging me, and saying "that feel you better Mama?" which means "does that make you feel better?"  It's so sweet.

His "likes" right now are trucks, coloring with markers (finally! I thought he would never like to color), and playing "pretend" games endlessly.   He also loves being naked right now.  Just recently he was playing in our neighbor's backyard.  He stopped what he was doing, sat down, ripped his shorts and swim diaper off, and ran across her lawn yelling "I'm nudie!!!!!"  He'll be "streaking the quad" before we know it.

His sleep is pretty good, I guess.  We put him in his crib at about 7:15 PM, and he is asleep by about 7:45-8PM.  He wakes up about 7AM.  He takes a 1.5-2 hour nap.  He loves loves loves his crib and has never shown signs of wanting to climb out, so he will stay there until about 3 years old (per my sleep guru's advice - "The Sleep Lady").

As far as potty training, he is very ready, but I just need to bite the bullet.  He goes (both kinds) on his "teeny tiny toilet" almost every evening before the tub.  We are going away very soon, so we will poty train full-time after that.

One funny story from today, which really epitomizes Grady's personality:  I went in to get him from his nap and he was so lovey.  I started nibbling on his leg, and he said "I'm not for eating.  I'm for hugging and kissing because I'm a little boy."

I just want to remember what a great little guy Grady was at this time.  He is, as I say, "Pure Sunshine".  I feel so very lucky.  Love you, G-Man!

Now for some pictures - videos to come...

First, some cute close-ups of Grady - I adore his cheeks





concentrating (I make the same face)









helping to wash the screen porch



cheesy smile

Real smile:

At dinner with Daddy



making pancakes



on the way to the pool party



partying with his buddy Drew








snowcone - I think it was his first one



Eric always sings to him and dances with him - he loves it!







helping to fill the pool