Easter

Saturday, we let Luc color 18 Easter eggs all by himself. Thank God it was so nice outside and we could do it on the deck so I didn't have to worry about him making a mess in the house if he spilled anything. He had a blast. He wanted to do more, so the ones that had dried, we let him dip them again. Then he had a blast putting stickers on them.

Sunday morning Luc opened his basket and got a few little things, like bubbles, playdoh, and Mickey Mouse garden gloves. He headed over to Bonne Maman and Bon Papa's house where my parents and brother came for lunch and to watch Luc do an egg hunt.

 

 After the hunt, we headed to my aunt and uncle's house for Easter dinner.

"Me Big Boy!"

Luc's a busy dude; always on the run. Here's what he finds fun:

-Chase Me game
-Climbing up the playhouse at the playground and going down the slide by himself
-Eating ice cream (and saying "cooollllldd" before he takes another huge mouthful)
-Going to swim class and then taking a long bath when we get home. He never wants to be out of the water (just like Mommy!)
-Going for long walks
-Counting 1-3, and then 6-13. He doesn't like 4 and 5
-Learning the alphabet- can spell Cali on her food container and recognizes his own name
-Begining to draw a circle and trace simple letters
-When you offer Luc food, especially something he's never had before, and doesn't want to try it, he'll say, "No, thank you. Me fine."
-Driving his Mickey Car around Grandma's house, cutting corners and cruising with his feet up
-Loves to eat chocolate (when he can get it), Nutella (Daddy spoils him on the weekends), bread and butter, cheese, and fries. And fruit- especially strawberries and blueberries
 -Doesn't care or even turn to say goodbye when Mommy and Daddy leave him with Bonne Maman and Bon Papa
-Plays "Rescue"- throws Pluto off the couch onto the floor, lays on the couch and reaches over to try to pick him up by the tail. He says, ok Pluto? and then pulls him up saying "Pull. Pull. Pull". Then he throws him off again.
-Will not wear jeans, corduroy, cargo pants. He will only wear sweatpants, jogging/track pants, and cotton pants.
-Everyone has to wear socks
-Climbs into his carseat by himself
-Keeps tabs on Grandpa every Friday while he's working from home to make sure he knows where he is in the house.
-Started going to weekly story time with Grandma at the local library
-Speaking in longer sentences. Sometimes it feels like I can have a whole conversation with him like he's years older than 2.
-"How big is your belly, Luc?" Luc-"Big, big, big!" as he sticks out his tummy
-Does not like to dance, or for anyone else to dance, sing, or whistle

Luc has been waking up in the morning with a dry diaper for about 2 weeks now. Slowly preparing myself to jump into the potty training...

Cherry Blossoms 2014

It wasn't the peak time for the Cherry Blossoms in DC this weekend, but we decided to take a stroll around the Tidal Basin anyways and invited Dave to come along with us. Luc did a lot of walking and then passed out on our shoulders. He woke up, and walked the rest of the way. Sometimes I wonder why we bring his tricycle along. He loves to walk.
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

Riding the train

sleep

and walking back, holding Uncle Dave's hand

then more walking

Just Keep Swimming

Yesterday was Luc's first swim class at the Howard County Parks and Rec new community center. The young teacher didn't really seem to know what she was doing, but I'm hoping it was just because it was the first class.

Before the class started, we got to hang out in the shallow end where they have a 'beach entrance' with little fountains. Luc enjoyed himself stomping on the fountains. He saw other kids using the beach to go into the deeper (3 ft) part of the pool and so he started walking down. The first few times he held my hand and only went up to his waist before turning back to the fountains. Then he suddenly started to walk by himself and kept going, without holding onto my hand, though I was close behind him, until the water was up to his mouth. Then he got a little nervous and wanted to go back where he could walk.

For the class we were in the 3'5'' section of the pool. The instructor had the kids hold onto mini kick boards. I tried to get Luc to kick his feet behind him, but he didn't really get it. Then we had little toys for the kids to throw and we would 'swim' with them to go catch it. Luc loved this game. Since he was having so much fun, I took advantage of the chilly air and kept myself mostly under the water, which meant when we went swimming for the fish, I got Luc under up to his chin. A few times I tried to get his mouth under and teach him to close his mouth and hold his breath. He didn't want to try floating like he's been practicing in the tub, but I got him to blow a few bubbles in the water.

The last exercise was for the kids to sit on the edge of the pool and jump into our arms. The instructor then wanted us to dip the kid completely under the water, but no one was comfortable doing that yet (even the kids). But jumping off the side was still fun for Luc. And when we could spend another 5-10 minutes after the class was over in the pool, at first Luc wanted to get out because he was cold, but then decided he wanted to go back in the pool. He started to walk down the ladder to then jump in by himself before I could get in.
Seven more classes to go. I'm curious to see how Luc adapts to the pool and how many other risks he'll be willing to take.

learning to kick

fetching the fish with our chins under water

Potty Time?

Usually the sharing of bowel movements is saved for medical professionals. But when you're the parent of a toddler, it's everyday coversation as well and movement toward using a toilet is quite exciting.

We've had a training potty sitting in the downstairs bathroom for months now (and one at Grandma and Grandpa's house as well). We've never pushed Luc to use it, we just wanted him to get used to it. Most of the time he follows us into the bathroom and sits on it while we're in the bathroom, pretending to also pee. Once I and my mom have taken his diaper off to sit on it and show him how it works. But that's where it's ended. I don't want to push the potty training and discourage everyone if it doesn't happen right away. Plus Luc is only 27 months old, and I know boys usually take longer to train. So my hopes aren't set for training him anytime real soon. I'm also really not in any rush because the future "accidents" and timing his bathroom breaks, and finding restrooms while out of the house are intimidating to me as well.

However, Sunday, Luc was playing with Daddy in the living room and suddenly he stood up, announced he had to poop and then said "potty", while pointing to the bathroom. He walked to the bathroom door, which he cannot open, and then asked me to come and open the door for him. As I turned on the light, he started reaching for the doorknob and pushing me out of the bathroom. After I few minutes, he informed me through the door that he was done. Sure enough, he had sat on his little potty and pooped (with his diaper on). Woot! And then he did it again the next day.

So I brought down the Potty book we have to get him familiar and some motivation to keep going this route. And I also bought some training diapers for the day when he's really encouraged. We'll see what happens..

February

Last weekend, Frederic and I decided to go to Ikea to get Luc a toddler pillow and duvet for his crib. The mesh bumpers I had bought months ago were not really helping Luc from sleeping sideways in his crib, with his feet hanging off the side. Since we want to start transitioning him for a toddler bed (and so when he's ready, he won't fall out), we decided getting a pillow and blanket (like Mommy and Daddy) might help. So far so good. For the most part Luc stays under the blanket, when he doesn't, his head is in the opposite direction. At least he's not trying to sleep sideways anymore. He's in love with his 'big boy' blanket and pillow. Step 1- complete.
That same morning we decided to go to Ikea, I had looked at some clothes I needed to return to H&M, but something inside told me, "not today." Thank God my guardian angel whispered that in my ear. The exact time we would've been at the Mall in Columbia to return these clothes was the exact time there was the shooting in the Zumiez store. The chances of us being in Zumiez is extremely slim, but the people in the mall at the time did not know if it was a mass shooting, there were bombs anywhere, and if they would've been hurt even trying to rush out of the mall. I try not to think about what if we were there, sheltering in the back of a store for hours before the police came around to every corner letting people know it was okay to come out. And with Luc, I can't imagine keeping him calm. I can't imagine the fear that I would've felt feeling so much in danger and vulnerable. I am so thankful that my guardian angel told me not to go to the mall Saturday morning.

at the Carousel in the mall the week before the shooting.

Yesterday was supposed to be another snowy day, but turned out to be just rain and some sleet. I stayed home with Luc and worked from home. By the end of the day, it was all cleared up, so I decided to run to Old Navy. While walking down the stairs, Luc was holding onto the banister and started counting each step he went down. He's gotten really good counting to 5 with no help. So when he got to the fifth step I expected him to stop and for me to continue counting for him. To my surprise, he kept counting, all be himself. He counted all the way to 10! Then later in the day, he did the same thing while counting his matching cards. I'm still a little stunned. Way to go Mickey Mouse clubhouse (and us for the constant repetitive counting).

Valentine's day garland Luc "helped" me make

Quiet, winter days

Here's what is new with Luc.


-Counts 1, 2...then back to one unless you help him along, then he'll count to 5 with you after a few times to remind him how it goes.
-Points out the letter 'O' on signs in the store, on packaging, etc.
-Says Thank you, Mommy when I do his laundry. He recognizes his blankie and clothes are clean and says "Blankie, all clean! Thank you, Mommy!"
-Loves to help make dinner
-Starting to sit in just a booster seat pushed up to the dining table
-Loves matching games
-Hates laying down to get dressed and insists he stands and help pull the zipper
-Become very opinionated about what clothes he wears and will take something else out if he doesn't approve of my outfit for him that day. He will look for another pair or pants, etc. while telling me "Me no like it."
-Walks up and down the stairs by himself. When Daddy comes home, Luc will walk downstairs, turn on the light, and wait for Daddy to come in the door.
-Hears a baby/child crying in the store and says " Mommy, baby crying. Need Daddy." (while making a frowny face and shaking his head yes, sympathetically.  Apparently, every child that cries obviously needs it's Daddy, not it's Mommy.
-Attempts to 'swim' in the bathtub
-Likes to brush his teeth every night before bed

Luc has started his Terrible Two phase, but it could be worse. He does get a strong opinion about things, but he's more likely to back down if he's not tired. Otherwise, we're in for a doozy. Other than some whiny and a few fake tears, Luc only has a real devilish tantrum maybe once a week, if that.

Since winter is in full swing and we've survived the Polar Vortex, to help keep us occupied after birthday and Christmas presents' excitement have worn off, I have finger paint, pipe cleaners and other kid crafts lined up to discover.  So far foam heads where you decorate the faces is a huge hit. They turned out a little scary, so we'll have to put them out at Halloween time.