Not Quite Two Yet

In a few weeks, Brayden will officially be two. "Terrible?" We'll see. But that's not the only reason I don't want to see that number--it's when my baby will no longer be considered one. A boy, not a baby boy. An opinionated, independent, exploring boy who has no time for cuddling or silly games. Does it have to be this way?

I am holding on to his childhood; I am in no hurry to have him grow up. Others will say they can't wait until he can do such and such, but I rahter enjoy his dependent stage. When people ask his age, I answer in months. Instead of saying "almost two," I say 22 1/2 months, as he seems younger that way.

I hope I am not one of those overly- protective mothers who still wipes her teenage son's nose. :-]

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So what's he doing now that he is 22 1/2 months old?

1. He plays with his trucks, lining them up on the step and knocking them off. He can find the jeep, the bus, the Volkswagon, the monster truck and the race car.

2. He does not come to life very easily after sleeping. He likes to be held for several minutes after he wakes in the morning or after his nap and rock in the recliner.

3. Even though the transition from a sippy cup has been difficult, he has adjusted to the fact that he can't always have his "bottle with handles." We only give it to him in the car or when a cup is not convenient. He used to cry when he did not put the top on, but now he doesn't balk.

4. He can participate in social settings, but he often prefers to stand outside groups of kids and observe them.

5. He can put two words together easily, and he has begun to use three. Tonight, he was licking on a Dum Dum pop; he dropped it on the carpet, and when Granny took it to rinse it off, he demanded, "That's my candy!"

6. He still whines a lot. A LOT. We have tried to verbally correct him, use time out and then finally ignore him, but he can go on for a long time. And he whines over just about anything you can imagine.

7. He likes routine. He does the same thing over and over, and he likes for others to, as well. Every time he walks by the hall closet, he reminds us that there is a vacuum in there. Whenever he hears a train, he reaches for me and I say, "We can't see the trains from our house" and he finishes, "only at Granny's."

8. He still snubs other people and refuses to let just anyone play with him. If he likes people, they know it; if he doesn't like them, they really know it...

Christmas pics tomorrow--hopefully he will cooperate!