Lovin' the Summer

Well, it's been forever, but here I am again ready to post about all the fun we're having.

Carter and I have gotten to go out on many dates where it's just the two of us again and I think he has appreciated that. He has had to adjust to having to share everthing he owns and it has been a big deal. These days Carter spends his days snatching toys out of Gabe's hand saying, "No, that's mine." I think we are going to have to buy some special toys just for him that Gabe cannot touch and vice versa.

Carter has enjoyed many library trips, children's museum trips and of course, many restaurants this summer. We also go to swimming lessons together. He is making good progress on his kicking and throws a tantrum at the end of each class, so I know he enjoys it. He also enjoys the toy aisle at Target, based on the all time worst temper tantrum ever that I experienced yesterday when we left to go check out. His memory is getting really good too, so even if I don't take him anywhere near the toy aisle next time, he'll still remember that Target has toys.

He is getting more into playdough. We are enjoying making things with it and making up stories about those things. I love pretending with him becuase he honestly believes these made up things are talking to him. This is how I get him to comply with many unsavory tasks such as brushing teeth, eating his dinner, etc. With tooth brushing, I get out his Thomas the Train toothbrush and Thomas starts talking to him saying that he wants to eat all the sugar bugs on his teeth. Carter still protests, but he actually engages Thomas in a conversation while doing so.

In addition to refusing to eat, get dressed and brush teeth, Carter is still having trouble taking naps now that he has switched to a big boy bed. If he is tired enough, and I can, I try to read to him and sit with him until he calms down and goes to sleep, but usually, I can't leave Gabe unattended that long. Carter is absolutely horrendous when he has not napped. His tantrums are triple the rate without a nap, and he ends up refusing food and getting very violent with us. I really hope we can find a way to force him to nap.

In spite of all the challenges, each month of age brings us more joy. This week has been special becuase Carter has begun saying he loves us spontaneously.

Next week, as long as Carter catches up on all his missed sleep and gets over his cold, I will venture into potty training. I'm all ready! I even got a doll that wets to illustrate the mechanics. I had so much fun buying a girl toy, I cannot even tell you! The doll set also included a stethoscope, bandaids and thermometer so we use it to play doctor too.

In Gabriel's world, things are going great as well. Gabriel has been busy growing teeth, learning how to stand up, sit back down and spends his days exploring everything. Currently he loves the cat food bowl and has learned how to shake it so that some kibbles fall out. I have to watch him like a hawk since he gets into everything. He loves to lay on the cat, bounce a ball back and forth, play peekaboo (he holds cloths over his head and then pulls them down), and empty containers. He also enjoys reading and looking at pictures. He loves to look at pictures of Carter as a baby. He repeats a lot of sounds and this week started to say "ma ma." He is eating lots of things now and I am relieved to be beginning table foods with him finally. He has more of an appetite than Carter ever had, which makes me hopeful that we won't have the same food struggles. He still spits up very easily though.
He's a pretty easygoing most of the time, but when he's not happy, he still lets you know it with a very shrill shreik. Well, since he has decided that he doesn't want to take a decent nap today, I will close here before he starts typing.