The Bogeyman and Technology

Colin has starting having visits by the Bogeyman now.  We get called into his room in the middle of the night because "There is somebody over there".  Luckily it is easily resolved and he goes back to sleep.  His imagination seems to be kicking in more now.  There are people knocking at the front door and doggies barking that only Colin can hear.  If you come visit, be careful because he will also "eat" your nose, cheeks, eyes, fingers...anything he feels like.  If you need it though, he is very willing to return eaten parts upon request.

The bedtime routine has had the introduction of the tablet.  We've found a decent kid-mode app and a few games for him.  He can spend a long time on it or just a few minutes.  His interest varies quite a bit.  If you have any app suggestions, let us know.  His favorite thing so far is a Sesame Street looking video on tractors.

Some big things this month were:
   Sleeping over at Yaya's house (yea sleeping in for mommy and daddy)
   Being able to go up and down the stairs on his own
   Counting up to 20
   Putting his boots on by himself
   Taking off some articles of clothing by himself

There is definite excitement for snow.  He reminds us that he can ride his sled when there is snow outside.  He's ready for the snow and let's us know that.  We are looking forward to a busy December with a trip to Grampy Findlen's and Christmas coming up.


Here's the November album:

Fall is here

This month's post will be more visual than text.  Gamommy flew out from CA for a visit, we went to the Topsfield Fair, there were a few Halloween celebrations.  The weather is cooler, the leaves have fallen.  Colin is doing really well with his ABC's, counting, talking etc but is still very shy in less familiar company. Here are a few videos and his album for the month of Oct:

acting a bit goofy                                                                           counting to 12

                                                                    the "cake dance"

The Food Dance

There is a big decision coming up for us.  Do we kill the nap or not...  He is taking longer to go to sleep and not sleeping as long during his nap.  That break during the day is sooooo nice but maybe he'll sleep longer than 6am each morning.  Either way, it looks as though the nap is on it's way out.  Time will tell I guess.

Colin is doing the type of things little boys do:  climbing and jumping off things, collecting/throwing rocks, getting bumps and scrapes.  If anyone is training for a marathon, take Colin along.  He just runs, a lot, for no reason.  He'll do circles, he'll run back and forth, he'll run around anything.  Apparently daddy had a distinct hunch when he ran.  It's hard to say how similar it looks, but Colin will hunch over a bit and move those arms when he is in full running mode.  Maybe that's some genetic thing...

 Some other highlights:  counting to ten, able to recite a majority of books he gets read a lot, using the potty right after baths/showers.  There may be more, but that is all that is coming to mind right now.

We discovered Colin likes to dance while he eats, sometimes.  He's been doing this for a while, we've just been lazy about getting it recorded.  He recently threw in some body movements too.  It's not a very long dance but it shows the main moves.

Such a Big Boy

He's running, jumping, kicking a soccer ball, talking and asking questions....such a big boy.  The baby stage is definitely gone.  We have a full toddler on our hands.

Colin is curious about everything around him.  His most frequent question now it "What is it?".  A lot of the time we aren't sure what he's asking about but we can figure it out usually.  He is very vocal.  That includes when he is about to cause mischief.  He will talk us through what he is going to go do.  It's not directed at us but it is a nice heads up for us.

Potty training is going on.  It's slow, we aren't pushing him.  If he is making his grunting sounds we will ask if he needs to go and he is very good about saying yes.  Most times we aren't quick enough but his awareness is improving.  Wet beds and trips to the bathroom at midnight can't be too far away...but we can wait.

Colin still loves reading books.  He is starting to memorize some of his favorites and can fill in words as he is read to.  Counting to 10 should happen pretty soon as well.  The alphabet is pretty much done.  Colin said he ABC's for the camera just after his birthday.

The Aug Album:

2!!!!!!!!!

Colin's second birthday has finally arrived.  He's having a party with some family and friends next week so those pictures will be in the monthly album.  Here are some snapshots of his day.

Helping make his birthday cake

 

Converted to a 'big boy bed'

A "hot fishy sandwich" was requested for lunch

Enjoying his birthday dinner of a cheeseburger

Bigfoot was holding all the presents for Colin

Very happy with his "Tigger cake"

The frosting was the best part

We attempted an interview but that didn't get very far.  This is a few clips put together.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN

Mr Handsome's Nemesis - Captain Tantrum

The terrible two's are coming, at least the Colin version of it.  Frustration leads to a tightening of his body and a steadily louder scream.  Sometimes there will be hitting or stomping on things, sometimes hitting himself or mommy or daddy.  His tantrum doesn't last long and he will notify us by saying "all done whining, all done", at least some of the time.

Colin is getting more independent around the house.  He knows where things are kept and likes being able to get some things on his own, like snacks for example.  He does very well with asking and communicating his needs or wants.  Most sentences are four or five words now.   Although we don't always understand what he is saying, he is very patient and will repeat himself multiple times until he is understood.  Walking up and down the stairs is no big deal for Colin any more.  We still don't let him go on his own but he is working on doing it without crawling up or down.  Such a big boy toddler.

All of the hours of observation are paying off.  Colin is a little mimic now.Besides repeating everything said to/around him he now will do things as he sees other people do them.  Luckily he still listens without complaint if he is told he isn't allowed to do something.

There are a couple other things Colin is working on.  He is trying to verbalize emotions and he is getting pretty good.  Just the other day Tigger went through happy, sad and scared multiple times in a matter of minutes.  Colin will put an animal in 'time out' and announce it was naughty and that it is sad.  He picked that up awfully quick.  Colin is also working on imaginary things.  He will paint mommy and daddy or eat a sandwich into a doggie which will bark....growing so fast...school doesn't seem too far away now.

The July Album:

Colin vs Summer

So far Colin has taken a few licks from summer.  Scraped knees and very swollen bug bites have given him a few scabs.  Putting "stuff" on the bites seems to do the trick but the scrapes......anything put on them is traumatic.  Unlike mommy and daddy, Colin doesn't seem to mind the humidity.  Get wet in a kiddie pool or the sprinkler is always enjoyed.  Hopefully we won't be kept inside to much from the heat this summer.  Our playtime outside is always fun.

We had a busier month than expected.  There was a tip up to northern Maine to say a final goodbye to Grammy Findlen.  Cousin Emmett had a very fun 1st birthday party.  Colin also did his first strawberry picking.  We are waiting for other picking season's to come up now.  There has been a couple occasions for play dates too.  Colin is great at sharing toys and being a nice, gentle playmate.

Colin's learning is pretty amazing.  The alphabet, counting, colors, speech...all amazing.  He wants to learn and he is doing a great job of picking things up.  He repeats the last two words said to him, usually.  He's working on counting to 10, he at least knows those numbers and can identify some.  About 1/3 of the alphabet can be identified on his alphabet mat.  We get a play-by-play of cars on the road now; "boo cah, ye-yo bus, wed tuck, BBBIIIGGGG TUCK"

June Album

It's hot out

Summer heat has definitely arrived.  We've spent the last couple days playing in the kiddie pool and sprinkler.  It's not clear what Colin thinks of it though. He likes to stand still and let the sprinkler hit his face.  If asked if he wants to move or if he is done, we get a "no" and resistance to movement.  Hobie playing in the water is reaction worthy.  That is hilarious.

Colin is getting much more independent and grown up by the day.  He can understand pretty much everything said and he is repeating most of what we say as well.  A translator would be helpful at times but he is doing very well developing his vocab.  Besides words he is working on recognizing letter and numbers a bit more.  He has a handful of letters he knows....usually, and he can count up to five...with help.  Mommy is also helping him learn the words to some of his songs so he can help sing them.  

Yea shorts, hats and sunblock for the next few months.

One of Colin's favorite games....spinning!

Colin love of cooking is back.


          


May Album: (Autoplay was taken off, so click it to view)

Nice Weather Finally

We've finally had a stretch of nice weather that we can spend a few hours outside.  Colin loves going out.  We'll go for a bike ride or a walk or just kick a ball or go on a rock hunt.  Hours of entertainment.  He's picked up a few things that go with outside too.  He'll tell Hobie to stay or sit while we go out the door.  Or he'll ask to take her for a walk or brush her.  She doesn't listen to his commands of "drop it" or "come" but he doesn't notice too often.

Back in the first few months Colin was doing something new all the time.  That died down a bit for a few months but its incredible what new things pop up each day.  Conversations can't be too far off.  He definitely understands most things being said and can reply.  There are a few two word phrases he put together.  Words are starting to be multi-syllabic.  He can ask for what he wants, although that requires coaxing some of the time.  He prefers a whine or a cry to words some of the time.  He has figured out that he likes performing for people after he is comfortable.  He'll do some silly walking or noises to get some laughs.  We get serenaded now by little 5 second Colin songs.  He has started playing a little game which we were able to get on video.  He'll cover his belly and say "closed".  Then tease us with opening just one hand or arm.

It's not all happy stuff.  He's getting good at screaming/crying when he doesn't get what he wants.  He's starting to figure out how mommy and daddy operate and how to manipulate things a bit.  Boundaries are being tested constantly.  It is very cute when he gets told that he did something naughty and he says "time out" and lays down on the floor.  We aren't sure if that will be a good thing when he really does need 'time outs' though.

Colin's 20 month appointment was this month so there is more data for the growth chart down below.

Happy Easter

It doesn't seem like this Easter will be remembered any more than last year's for Colin.  He enjoyed looking at the stuff the Easter Bunny gave him.  The Easter Bunny then made a mess of eggs outside, which Colin had to clean up.  Fortunately Colin enjoys cleaning up.  He was able to help dye eggs and try some Easter candy.  Those were enjoyable.  In his words; "good".
It's amazing how his vocabulary is growing now.  He really wants to be able to say words.  He will study our mouths and try and mimic us.  He'll try a couple new ones each day.  A toddler translator is still needed for some words but he is definitely able to communicate by speaking now.  During tantrums... that's another story.  We aren't sure if he's not able to think about words while in tantrum mode or if he is just being purposely stubborn.
Time-outs have begun.  Weeeeee.  It can take 5-10 minutes to get an apology or a "yes" from Colin. He isn't going around doing evil deeds, yet.  The main reasons for the time-outs is that he has started choosing if he listens to us and harassing Hobie.
Colin recognizes the letter W or "double" and the number 4 or "fo".  Watch out Sesame Street.  You can find him running laps around the kitchen table.  Hobie will give him a lick on the face for each lap, to help count...
Spring seems to be making its way in slowly so hopefully that means a lot more time outside in the future.

Here is the March album: