Yup, my boy turned 3...and it's been wonderful so far! I don't know if turning 3 flipped a switch for him, or just simply opened my eyes more...his conversational and comprehension skills have really gone up another level! He still repeats funny phrases ("Shiver me timbers", "No comprendo"), but more than being a chatty parrot, he's expressing himself so well. From "There's a bug in the house. Can you catch it?" to "Mickey Mouse? This is my favorite show!" to "Mommy, are you happy or sad?" And the milestone that really did it for me was when he went to his 3 year doctor check up and did not shed a single tear! He used to be THAT howling, shaking, nearly convulsing kid that wouldn't even stand on the scale without major dramatics. This time, we explained what would happen, let him observe an example, and said we would give him a lollipop afterwards. I was shocked it worked! He even sat through the finger prick and blood work, and just excitedly said he was going to get a "boo boo" (bandaid) and sticker. I was beaming with pride and shock! Next up - haircut! Once he passes that obstacle without tears, I may just have enough courage to try potty training.
Josiah had a birthday marathon leading up to his 3rd birthday. From cupcakes at school, watching his first movie (Inside Out) at the theater, Bronx Zoo with the Troisis, family celebrations, a cake at church, and a crazy bouncy house party with friends...and apparently his girlfriend, Azza! It was so strange to see him so laser-focused on one person, following her around like a shadow. It was also sweet to see that he can really care about others aside from us. Up until now, it's only been about family and Maria, our nanny. So it's good to see him branching out and keeping up with others his own age! And I think having her lead the way made him braver too.
Speaking of which, he's still very anxious and cautious. And very particular. Since we've established that he is more me than Shaggy, I totally know how to read him. Even at Sesame Place (with the Parks and Rhees), he said no to every ride ("no thank you, I fine") . When I gave him options to ease into things, like dipping his toe in the water first, or sitting on the stationary bench vs the horse on the carousel, he would be more open to it. Yup, he's me. And just like me, instantly loved the wack-a-mole game!
More than any particular event, I've just enjoyed spending time with him and seeing his sweet, sympathetic, and goofy self continue to develop. He asks us how we're doing, says he's proud of us and that he loves us. Hope he never stops doing that.
Samantita. Oh Sammy. She is "special" as Maria says. Still a happy and cuddly gal, but definitely stubborn and feisty too. She's an early riser and demands to be picked up right away. If she even hears a peep from us being awake, she screams her head off and goes nuts if her warm milk is not given to her in like 10 seconds. And don't even dare putting her down when she's hungry or thirsty.Once she's fed and clean (she freaks out if her diaper is dirty), she goes about her exploring ways. She loves hanging by the TV to yank out the cable card, to her brother's dismay. And even though we created a fortress around Josiah's train table set, Sammy managed to find a way in and started destroying everything. She's like a dainty version of Godzilla - she stomps loudly and will let nothing stop her from getting her hands on what she wants. And as much as she has the look of innocence, I shouldn't put too much past her. She really enjoys the reaction she gets from Josiah - his complaints when she sits in his chair or pushes his shopping car, and her favorite being when she sticks her foot in his car seat. She even started to put it in his mouth when he's sleeping, and smirks when we tell her to stop. Shaggy always shakes his head at her and says "what trouble is she going to give us when she's older?"
Still no sign of walking. Maria keeps saying that she stands on her own when she doesn't know you're watching. But otherwise, doesn't give us the satisfaction. She gets really mad when we practice walking with her and throws herself on the ground and crawls quickly away. She still enjoys being carried and loves throwing her head back wildly. She discovered how to climb up furniture, so we have to watch her like a hawk even more so now. In general, she seems more action-oriented than Josiah - she even loved going on the rides at Sesame Place with Daddy.
I love her teeny frame (still 10th percentile) and the way she dances. She loves music and shakes only her booty and midsection to the music. Her new thing is shaking her head and saying "no no no" with her pouty lips and telling us "ssshh". The best is when she does it after she screams. And she loves telling everyone "Hiiiii" in her low, alto voice. And all of a sudden, she started shoving her finger up her nose, which we are trying to stop the habit immediately. I guess all this adds to her sassy, little character!
