expERIEnce Museum

Last week, while Granny and Grandad were here, we went to the children's museum in Erie. I had never been there, but had checked out the reviews online. We had planned earlier in the year to take you to the children's museum in Cleveland, but then I read some horrible reviews and we decided not to go. The museum in Erie did not disappoint! It was one of the better children's museums we've visited.

It was a little complicated getting there (thank goodness for GPS), but with Grandad driving we made it there without a problem. There are three levels to the museum. The entrance level has a huge water table, lunch area, cave/slide, and a water chalkboard. 

Oh, did I mention the giant blocks, too?

Daddy had fun hammering nails, too!

They had a pedal fire truck that you loved. Your feet couldn't quite reach the pedals, but that didn't stop your fun.

This alligator bank looked a lot like our dinosaur bank, Dino. You love Dino. We use Dino to collect change for your college fund. Anytime you find a coin lying around the house (no matter how hard I try to keep them picked up), you come to me, grab my hand, and take me to Dino to deposit your coin. As soon as you saw the alligator, you immediately came to me for a coin. Luckily, I had one.

The water table was a huge hit. You loved playing in the water.

And fishing in the water....

Daddy had fun playing in the water, too!

So did Grandad!

On the lower level they had puzzles, a Smart Table (pardon Mommy while she drools), a toddler area, blocks, and an art area. Three guess where you spent most of your time...

You, of course, took the opportunity to build a tower. We build towers constantly these days.

The top floor of the museum had an imaginative play area, stage, and TRAIN TABLES! We spent quite a while at the train table. I've tried convincing Daddy that you need your own train table, but he just muttered about having to build another house to corral all the toys you "need."

The imaginative play area had a house play set (that you played in for about a minute), a delicatessen, a court room, a post office, and a grocery store. You grabbed a shopping cart in the grocery store and promptly filled your cart with formula and diapers. Only the essentials, right buddy?

You also enjoyed running around the stage. I tried to put a cape on you, but you were unimpressed.

25 Months Old

Dear Wombat,

I haven't quite decided how to continue on with your monthly updates or even if I'm going to continue. For now, a letter seems to be my best choice.

Your 25th month was exciting! We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends. You enjoyed eating dinner in the garage or, as Uncle Robert dubbed it, "Metal Gymboree!"

Right before Thanksgiving we took you to story time at the library. Epic. Fail. You are not a sit and listen to a story then do a craft kind of kid. We stuck it out as long as we could, but eventually we gave up and left in a firestorm of tears. Luckily, our neighbor invited you to her classroom so her ESL students can read to you. It's short, it's sweet, and you love it! It's perfect.

This month, you decorated your first Christmas tree. It wasn't huge or spectacular, but it was ours. The Christmas tree and the lights were a big hit. You especially enjoyed the apple ornaments. In fact, we had to keep an eye on you so that you wouldn't take the apple ornaments off the tree because once, you tried to eat one!

You also got to play host for a couple of Daddy's players. We made breakfast for them before going to a college combine. You chattered along while they ate and seemed to love having company for breakfast.

I went to a girls event and made a gingerbread house. I had fun, but I missed you. The look on your face when I walked through the door holding the gingerbread house was priceless. You loved it and couldn't wait to eat it. I gave you the little gingerbread man and you were hooked. Eventually, I had to hide it in the oven because if it was out, you wanted to eat it. It took you exactly 15 minutes to find it. Then I had to find a new, better hiding place. Hiding Christmas gifts is going to be a challenge with you!

You also experienced your first Santa sighting! We went to dinner with Daddy one evening and Santa showed up! He even had a present for you. You weren't sure what to think of him, but you loved being the center of attention. You even remembered your manners and signed/said, "thank you." Way to make your Mama proud.

We also went to the Christmas party at Daddy's work. You had a lovely time "playing" pool (sitting on the pool table rolling balls). You looked mighty handsome, too.

This also happened:

One of my cousins sent you this outfit and I finally decided to put you in it. Oh. My. Gravy. The cuteness was almost too much. You kept checking yourself out in the mirror and giggling. It was so adorable.

Daddy and I are pretty sure your sleep sack days are numbered...especially when I found you like this one morning:

In short buddy, you keep us hopping and life is never dull. We love you so much.

Love,

Mama

2 Years Old!

Age: 24 Months or ... 2 YEARS OLD!  Happy Birthday, Baby!

Height: 37.5 inches

Weight: 30 pounds

Favorite Activity: You have figured out how to climb into your kitchen helper. You love climbing up and playing or helping me cook. Sometimes, Oliver will sit in your kitchen helper and then you MUST go pet him.

One day, you even discovered the batch of birthday cookies I had made. You now know to check the stove for cookies. You are my child.

Honorable Mentions:  Can we talk about bubble/parachute time at Gymboree? As soon as you see your teacher get the bubble blower you haul diaper and sit down on the parachute. Your one job is to pop those bubble. "Pop, pop, pop. Keep poppin' those bubbles." I am never going to get those songs out of my head.

You also love bath time. One evening, I had to drain the tub (and refill it) shortly after you got in. You would have thought I had stolen your favorite toy. Oh the wailing. As soon as I plugged the tub and started filling it up again, you were fine. We continue to work on listening to mama explain what is happening before you freak out. Not after.

Least Favorite Activity: You loathe me messing with your nose in any way, shape, or form. It made your 3 week cold very difficult.

Milestones: First trip to Kraynak's Christmasland! Grandma and Grandpa used to take your uncle and I every year. We haven't been able to take you since we lived in North Carolina. However, this year... You are still pretty young, but I think you had fun looking at the trees and people. You also enjoyed our trip to the chocolate store.

New Activity: I've let you into our bedroom a few times this month (previously forbidden) and you love it. You took about 5 minutes to figure out how to climb onto our bed. Now, you love to climb on our bed and exclaim, "How 'bout meeeeee?" 

It also snows this month! While it wasn't your first snow experience, it was definitely the most snow you've ever seen. We still haven't made it to the shoe store to get you real winter boots, but we let you go out for about 10 minutes to play. Last year, you refused to move. This year, you froze initially, but once you figured it out, you were off and running (in snow up to your knees)

Communication: You have a pretty extensive vocabulary (airplane, truck, please, thank you, etc.), but you're not putting them together into sentences much. Hopefully that will start soon so you can communicate even better.

Sleep: You continue to be a sleep enigma. One day, you refuse to nap and barely make it to bedtime. The next day, you're still so tired you fall asleep immediately at nap time and then refuse to go to bed until 10. Consistency, child! Mama needs consistency.

Best Moment: Last week, while I was washing dishes, you brought me one of my ladybug slippers. Those slippers were a gift from your daddy when I was in the hospital after you were born. I mentioned my feet were cold and he showed up with slippers! Anyway, you brought each slipper to me and demanded I put them on my feet. When I did, you looked very pleased and ran off to play. I figured this was my shot to get you to wear your Lightning McQueen slippers so we went into the living room and I put them on your feet. You high stepped across the floor to your alphabet carpet and promptly pulled them off. Sigh. Someday you'll wear them!

Worst Moment: One evening during your bath, I needed to drain the tub and refill it. Well, evidently you weren't ready because you panicked and started to cry. I tried to explain that I was going to refill the tub, but until I turned the water back on you were inconsolable. I'm sorry I made you sad, bud.

Eating: As I said before, you learned all about cookies this month. I've kept their existence a secret from you for almost 2 years. Welcome to Mama's nemesis, buddy.

Favorite Foods: Cookies! In fact, it took you less than 10 minutes to learn the word cookie. Now when you see a cookie, you screech, "Keeeeeeeeeey!" 

Teeth: I see a bottom left 2 year molar! C'mon molars!

Oh, and this!  You met your cousin C this month. She's a year younger than you, but cute as can be. She lives far, far away in Missouri but it was so much fun to get to see her. You were unimpressed by her, in general. You shared some of your toys (trucks are hard to share) and were a pretty good host. It is probably good she doesn't live closer or you two could cause a lot of trouble together.

23 months

Age: 23 Months

Favorite Activity: I wouldn't call it an activity, but child, you love your letters. In fact, the other day (after 23 months of telling you "I love you") I overheard this...

"Zeeee Poh, I yuv you." (Zero, I love you.) ......... "Dub Ewww, I yuv you." (W, I love you.)

It's good to know where I rank, buddy.

Honorable Mentions:  You are enjoying your blocks again. However, single only go with singles. Doubles only go with doubles. If Daddy or I (or anyone) deviates from this, we lose our block building privileges.

Least Favorite Activity: You are not a fan of your vaporizer. In fact, you hate it. I'm fine with you hating it as long as you never get sick. Deal? Deal.

Milestones: First Apple picking trip! Some of us picked apples, some of us are apples...

We also went to a pumpkin patch. It was really cold so we didn't stay long, but you seemed to enjoy it.

New Activity:  You have become a fabulous helper. You help clean up your toys...sometimes. You also LOVE putting muffin liners in the muffin tin. I was shocked when you did it the first time, but you filled them all quickly after demanding to help.

This month, I dyed some pasta and gave it to you to put on a string. You love stringing pasta and I like watching your fine motor skills develop.

Communication: We are understanding more and more of what you are trying to tell us. It's very exciting! You know what kitties, doggies, horses, sheep, chicks, frogs, cows, and ducks say. You can also point to your head, nose, mouth, chin, and ear now. You will also say, "Please, Ma!" when asking to watch Mickey.

Sleep: You are a champion sleeper, except when your teeth are bothering you. C'mon two year molars.

Best Moment: We went to Grandad's retirement party this month. You had so much fun. My favorite part was when you went out to dance beside Granny and Grandad. They were dancing, why not you? Then, when everyone was dancing, you'd run up to complete strangers who were dancing and throw your arms around their legs to hug them.

Worst Moment: You finish out this month with a cold. You being sick is the saddest, most pitiful thing I've seen since your tiny cast. Your nose is running and you keep coughing. I don't think it's anything that requires a visit to the doctor, but it breaks my heart. Add a late night of partying to a drive home with no nap and you passed out on me an hour before bedtime that night. Poor tired boy.

Eating: Holy picky eating, Batman. One day, you'll eat something the next day, you won't even touch it. You still refuse to eat peanut butter. You also have begun refusing pasta and your lil entree meals that we use for emergencies. You also know where I keep your fruit pouches. I have to time opening the fridge carefully because if you catch sight of your pouches, you want one! Luckily, you've learned to sit right down so you can have your pouch (or any food/drink).

Favorite Foods: Cheerios! You live on Cheerios these days. You went through an entire box in a week. I guess there are worse things you could love.

Teeth: Still haven't seen clear proof of your molars though you're drooling like a St. Bernard again. I'm planning to schedule your first dentist visit for December. I anticipate a melt down because you do not like people rooting around in your mouth!

Oh, and this! You love Donald Duck. Love, love, love him. When you want to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, you climb in my lap and sign "please" after asking, "How 'bout Meeeee?" If I don't get Meeeee going fast enough, you start signing, "please" on me. It's hysterical.

Can't Live Without

I've been thinking a lot about the things that have made our lives easier/better in your almost 2 years here. I'm sure, by the time you have kids there will be new and better inventions, but here are some of my favorites.

Door Guard

As soon as you learned to walk, you became infatuated with doors. You especially loved slamming doors. After a couple close calls, I found door guards. Best. Invention. Ever!

Oogaa Products

We received an Oogaa bowl and a placemat in your Citrus Lane boxes. They are another favorite. They're dishwasher safe, fit easily in your diaper bag, and clean up easily. We don't have a divided plate, but they look awesome, too. I just wish we had more Oogaa stuff.

Bathtub Crayons

You have always loved bath time, but adding crayons and coloring has made you love it even more.  I've been looking at bathtub markers...but I hate markers so I've resisted so far.

Bathtub Books

These books are awesome for a book eater like you. We give them to you in the car so you can read and we don't have to worry about you eating a book. (Don't ask us how we know that you will eat the book you are reading as we're driving.)

Kitchen Helper

I saw these kitchen helpers online and knew I had to have one. Luckily, you have a very handy Grandad and he made you one. It's super cool! You can stand right up at the counter with me and we can cook and do all kinds of stuff together.

http://ana-white.com/2010/12/helping-tower.html 

Nüby No Spill Straw Cups...heck, Nüby anything.

We tried all kinds of cups when we were transitioning you from a bottle to a sippy cup and from a sippy cup to a cup with a straw. Nuby brand has been the winner both times.

http://www.amazon.com/Nuby-Count-Handle-Spill-Colors/dp/B00792RG1S/ref=sr_1_17?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1412381470&sr=1-17&keywords=Nuby

http://www.amazon.com/Nuby-Flip-Straw-Ounce-2-Count/dp/B008B9166Y/ref=sr_1_9?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1412381560&sr=1-9&keywords=Nuby+straw