Emmett.. 2 1/2

My baby boy was born 2 1/2 years ago today... The time has gone by so fast. This is such an interesting age. At times I feel so bad for Emmett that we are just feeling our way through parenting him and every new phase that comes up is a new experience for us to try to figure out and he in turn can see how far he can push our buttons. I've been referring to it recently as the "first child syndrome". Parenting is quite the journey! It is so much easier when phases come up with Hattie because we know exactly how to deal - we've been through it already! So, 2 1/2 is not all roses.. but I wouldn't change our Emmett for the world.

On Talking..
Emmett is an excellent communicator. He speaks in full sentences. When we tell him a new world or phrase he almost always repeats it immediately afterwards. Tonight I was reading him a book (The Berenstein Bears New Baby) and he pointed and said "That's a boat." I responded "Yes, that is a boat. It is called a canoe." "A Canoe??" He also has the ability to tell us exactly what he wants. "Be quiet. The babies are sleeping!" He must hear that request often at daycare. Recently he told us "I'm the boss!" at the top of his lungs. We often choose to ignore these types of comments.

On Playing...
Emmett loves to play football - especially with his Dad. He will announce "It's time to play football!" Then he will go and get his football along with a baby bottle he plays with. We're not sure where the baby bottle came in but he puts it in his mouth and shakes his head from side to side. Hattie finds it hilarious. He is also really into playing pretend. He likes to pretend Daddy is sick. "Do you have a fever? Do you need a blankie? Do you want some medicine?" etc. He will make us supper in his kitchen, bring us coffee, cupcakes, soup, etc. He likes to pretend things are hot so that we have to blow on them. He plays well with the other kids at daycare. The like to pretend they are animals, play ring around the rosy or London bridges, dance and sing. Jack seems to be his closest buddy but they are all friends. The other day when we were leaving daycare Jack shouted after us "Bye Emmett, I love you!" To which Emmett replied "Bye!!! I love you Jack!" It may have been the sweetest thing ever.

On Sleeping..
We have struggled with Emmett's sleep lately. It seems to be better now. He has always been such a good sleeper, but there was a 3 week stretch where things weren't going very well. He was occasionally missing naps at daycare and he was fighting naps with us at home. We would have to go in and keep putting him back in his bed. There were 1-2 times where we did eventually give up. Then, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse he started resisting going to bed at night. On October 25th he kept getting out of his bed, I would put him back in, he would get out, I would put him back in etc. Rustin and I were taking turns until we finally realized that we were rewarding him by going into his room period. When we would go in each time he would have a little smile no his face and each time we would leave he would scream. So, we didn't go back in and by finally around 10pm he fell asleep on the floor of his room by his door. At 1am he cried again and went back and placed him in his bed. We told him from then on that we were not coming back when we put him to bed and had two nights of less than 10 minutes of crying and now we have hardly any crying at all. He is back to napping regularly at daycare as well. Looking back I know he was trying to test us. I think it is just what they do at this age. He needs to learn that we are in charge and we need to learn to be as consistent as possible. He needs to take a nap every day. He is exhausted if he doesn't get his nap. Like today. He practically fell asleep on the ride home from daycare.

On Being a big Brother...
We are still struggling a little in this department as well. Hattie admires Emmett so much. You can tell she is always looking to see where he is and what he is doing. For the most part he is good with her. Since she can crawl now they have started to chase each other around and play peek-a-boo etc. But, every once in a while he will hit or push her. I think that because they are both so little he struggles a bit still with her taking attention away from him. He doesn't like it if someone is giving Hattie attention when he wishes they were playing with him (like grandma or grandpa or anyone else that we don't see all the time). He does love her though and gives her kisses. He tickles her tummy and gives her toys. He struggles with sharing things with her but is willing to trade her for something etc so it is a good lesson for him. Hopefully they will have a good relationship.. but I suppose that will be up to the two of them eventually.

Happy 2 1/2 birthday to our little spider. We couldn't love you any more!!!