23 Months Old

PJ is 23 months today and its our 5 year wedding anniversary.  Two big milestones in our life today!
I am not sure which milestone is harder to believe...

     Being married
     -not always as easy as just being in love
or
     Being parents
     -not something we were even sure we were going to be 5 years ago

Both marriage and parenting is so much more rewarding, challenging, and harder than we had ever imagined.  Some day soon I want to blog about marriage and what we have learned over the past 5 years, but today we celebrate PJ's 23 months.
PJ is so verbal and doing the baby whining thing all at the same time.  Jealousy of MJ has set PJ back a little but I am sure its only temporary.  PJ had been walking into school all on his own, he minded his momma with little issue, and really hadn't throw a true tantrum.  This past month, really past week we saw all of this and its been quite a test on Momma.  I have heard "No Momma" way more times than I care to remember.  I have really been tested in the patience department this month, but I will say that towards the end of this month I have also seen progress.  PJ knows Momma and Daddy mean business and although playing us against each other may be worth trying, he is quickly learning that we are actually on the same page.  He has also learned this month that collapsing and screaming will get him immediately removed from a room, restaurant or store VERY quickly.  While we are here at the G-Rents place (and will be implemented at home), we have created a crying chair in his room.  Way better than timeout!  We told him PJ could cry as long as he wanted but he couldn't join the family until he was happy.  We made it clear a happy face was required to be anywhere else in the house.  After two or three days of this plan we can really tell that this reasoning is working with PJ and there are less breakdowns.  I am sure we will see more tantrums but hopefully they will be less and far between as long as we stay consistent.
In other news PJ said his first 4 syllable word this month - helicopter!  He is also starting to put two and three words together.  Nothing to groundbreaking but progress in the verbal department.
PJ has also mastered his colors and shapes.  He had been practicing them for awhile, but there is no doubt he knows them now.  Before we would ask what a color was and then he would answer about half correct and the rest of the time a standard answer of yellow.  Now he knows all his colors except for orange.  I think PJ does actually know orange, but can't say the word because he doesn't ever give a response if something is orange.
PJ is also learning the effects of a joke.  He loves to make people laugh.  The Knock Knock Joke is going strong in our house. He has been adding to his list of who is at the door and when its someone he hasn't said in awhile or is someone new he laughs even harder.  He also loves when he says something that is funny, then he will say it over and over.  My favorite is when he remembers several days later that he got a laugh from a word and tries it again.  I can't wait for more, hearing his laugh is infectious!
The other developmental update is ANOTHER ear infection.  We are on our third in less than 4 months.  I am hoping that this is the last and if not that we do something different than amoxacilin.  That stuff does not seem to do anything for PJ.  He is on another round right now and all it seems to do is lessen the symptoms, not really clear anything up.

Poppy and MJ

We ate dinner at Uncle Todd and Aunt Beth's house last night.  While there, Poppy helped Uncle Todd with a few iPad questions and still got some grandson cuddle time in with MJ.

Quiet Time

Today we implemented Quiet Time. This week we are not on PJ's regular schedule, since we are at G and Poppy's house. We match meal times and bedtime pretty close but nap time has not been going so well. Lots of whining and screaming with short cat naps when we take a car ride. So today instead of battling through another nap time we started Quiet Time.
PJ had an hour long nap this morning in the car after playing hard for 2 hours at a local park. The nap was good but too early so after lunch, PJ got really cranky. I knew PJ wouldn't go down for a nap, but the whining needed to stop. Soooo I put PJ in his room with some books and told him that when my watch said 2:00 (1hour) I would come and get him. Now he did not sleep and he did need to be put back into his room about 5 times; but there was no screaming, no tears and when the hour was up he was very agreeable. 1 win for momma! I even got a picture when the PJ poked his head out of the room, but did not actually leave, just looking...(he is all the way at the end of the hall in the picture.)

Tummy Sleeper

MJ doesn't sleep that well on his back.  When I can be around him for all of his nap, I put him on his tummy.  I love how his cheeks are squished!

Poppy cooking with the Grandsons

Poppy was in charge of dinner tonight.  PJ loves helping Poppy with just about anything, including dinner.  While Poppy made dinner, PJ ate half a sausage, and at least 20 pieces of ziti(in progressing state of doneness).  Of course Poppy shared all this food one bite at a time, which took up the the time it took to make the entire meal.  Very clever Poppy, way to entertain a toddler for over 20 minutes with the same activity!  MJ just provided some cute company and managed to be satisfied with all the commotion that although awake did not need to be held. 

TV Dinner

PJ doesn't watch much TV, and when he does watch he doesn't stay focused for long.  G-Ma and Poppy like to watch a show or two in the evenings after full day working on the farm doing various tasks to keep the place running and improving.  
PJ didn't care much for what was on the TV, because it was not about trains or buses, but then G-Ma offered to share some fruit...PJ sat in G-Ma's lap like a perfect gentleman and ate at least half of a cantaloupe!

I think they have the same profile!

Stanley and Baby Chick

Poppy and G bought chicks the same weekend while we were all visiting.  Poppy had a great time sharing the experience with the grandkids.  Stanners loved the chicks, even though she looks so serious in this picture.

Exhausting Day

We had a great day at the G-Rents place.  SO much fun that PJ fell asleep while eating a dinner.  That was a first for him!

Last Day of Paternity Leave

Ry stayed home today using up his last day of paternity leave.  In true new baby fashion we napped when MJ napped.  I love how well Ry can sleep in the same position and not move so that MJ can sleep soundly and safely. 

 

Who does MJ look like? Part 2

Its been almost a month and MJ is starting to be more alert.  Here is a better comparison of MJ versus K.  Can you see the resemblance?

Katie at about one month

Porter at 22.5 months and MJ at nearly one month