Ok, so there's still a week before Logan and Taylor turn 3, but they're napping right now, which doesn't happen very often these days, so I'm taking advantage of this free time to sum up this past year.
The difference between a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old is a lot more subtle than I had anticipated. Sure, Logan and Taylor talk a lot more, but not much else has changed over the last year. Unless I've been blocking things out...? Anyway.
At 3 years old, Logan:
- is a great helper, unloading the dishwasher, putting his dishes into the sink and washing them, etc.
- is very independent and wants to do almost everything by himself
- doesn't mind playing alone, especially if there are cars involved
- shares willingly with other kids, but not always with his siblings
- gives his books a million kisses before going to sleep at night
- loves to give Kendall hugs and kisses
- has become a little boss
- sends Taylor to time-out so that he can get more food or attention from us
- started talking back
- loves girls, especially the older ones, like 12-20 year-olds
- throws major tantrums (sometimes he just needs to be left alone and other times he needs me to hold him and reassure him that I love him no matter what)
- enjoys giving daddy free shots (occasionally they are totally uncalled for)
- loves to run around the living room
- loves to dance to Alvin and the Chipmunks songs
- loves to play at the splash pads and get soaked
- also loves the kiddo pool on the deck and baths
- loves to play at the playground, and especially sitting in the swing and going down the slide
Favorite movies: Toy Story 1-2-3, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Bolt, Super Why!
Favorite food: ice cream, popsicles, suckers, oranges, grapes, blueberries, grilled cheese, pasta
Favorite color: blue and green
Favorite song: Families Can Be Together Forever
Favorite book: There were 10 in the bed
Logan is really good at: running
Fun memory: We went to Sears to get their pictures taken and Logan told the photographer, a 20 year-old Asian girl, that she was "very pretty." Also, the other night, Logan put spaghettis down his shirt, then proceeded to tell us he was saving them for later. And finally, as Bon-Papa and Bonne-Maman were leaving to go back home, he asked them to "stay with me." It was so sweet and sad at the same time.
At 3 years old, Taylor:
- is a great helper, vacuuming the carpet, putting the laundry into the dryer, etc.
- eats independently most of the time, but occasionally still needs a little help
- is still very picky and won't eat vegetables
- doesn't mind playing alone, especially if he has stuffed animals to keep him company
- shares willingly with everybody, and that includes giving Kendall food he doesn't want anymore
- enjoys hiding toys, which we sometimes can't find for weeks
- gets a "second wind" almost every night before going to sleep
- loves to give Kendall hugs and kisses
- climbs everything he can find, the pantry, the piano, the childproof gate, etc.
- enjoys giving daddy free shots (usually they are totally uncalled for)
- loves to dance to Alvin and the Chipmunks songs
- enjoys going to the splash pads and watching other kids play, but doesn't like getting wet, unless it's really hot or he's already wet
- loves to call everyone to snuggle up in the bears (the gigantic stuffed animal we have in a corner of the living room)
- enjoys getting wet in the kiddo pool on the deck and during bath time
- loves to play at the playground, and especially climbing ladders and sitting in the swing
- enjoys playing pretend games, like the ones where he feeds his stuffed animals
- says, "Stop pushing Tay-do, Mommy!" when he trips over something (even if I'm on the other side of the room)
Favorite movies: Toy Story 1-2-3, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Bolt, Curious George
Favorite food: popsicles, suckers, grapes, blueberries, cheese, meatballs, pizza
Favorite color: brown and blue
Favorite song: The wheels on the bus, Old McDonald
Favorite book: There was an old lady who ate a shell
Taylor is really good at: climbing, building stuff with Legos
Fun memory: Every time I change his diaper, Taylor asks to know how big his poop is and what color it is. Also, the other day, I explained to Taylor that doctors help people who are sick or have booboos feel better. He said, "No, I give kisses." Also, the other day, Taylor figured out that it's a lot more fun to go down the slide head first, even better head first and on his back. And finally, the other night, I heard someone jumping on the bed, so I went upstairs to let whoever know it was bedtime, and when I came in the room, I heard Taylor
clearly pretending he was sleeping with an
obviously fake snore.
Outch: We took the boys' bed frames down, temporarily, because Logan and Taylor kept jumping on and from the beds, pushing the mattresses off, and getting stuck between the mattresses. Also, Taylor got hurt really bad one night while he was wrestling Logan. He somehow must have hit something and bit his tongue so hard that there was blood everywhere, we could see the teeth marks on his tongue, and his tongue was bruised for 4-5 days. It was bad. I was grateful Billy was home because I would have taken Taylor to the E.R.
Logan and Taylor can both sing the ABC song and recognize every (capital) letter of the alphabet.
They speak in full sentences, most of the time.
Logan still refers to himself as Gogi, but can say Logan perfectly.
Taylor uses "I" in sentences, and refers to himself sporadically as Taydo or Taylor.
They can both count from 1 to 10 and sometimes from 11 to 20, if they put their minds to it.
After 4 months of intense struggle and frustrations, we're taking a break from potty training. Right now I don't feel rushed at all. In fact, I might just wait until they tell me, "Hey, mom, don't you think I should be doing my business on the pot by now? Everybody else is doing it." But we'll see...
They're both such sweet and active boys. There is never a dull moment in our house. Whether we're running circles, climbing equipment at the playground, or snuggling up in a pile of stuffed animals, we're always having fun. I love these little guys so so so so much!
