Birthday Boy

Dear Colin,

Yesterday was your 2nd birthday!  Happy Birthday!   Sunday was your transportation party and you seemed to hit the jackpot of vehicles!  We had a "flight school" where you threw airplanes through hoops.  There were also balloon rockets and a hot wheel speedway.  We enjoyed snickerdoodle cupcakes with our friends and family.

We spent the morning of your birthday at the San Francisco Zoo where you wrestled your first alligator!

Remember the time you went to the zoo and wrestled the Alligator? You can do anything when you're two!

There is a new "water" maze in the zoo and you couldn't get enough of this section.  

Maybe you'll grow up to be zoo keepers?

It's fun watching you explore animals at the zoo.  You wanted to kiss almost all animals.  Then we went into the bug exhibit and you said, "EW!  Yuck!"

I still can't believe you're two years old.  Where did my little squish go?  You're now in the world of "NO!  MINES!"  As well as the world of singing, dancing, silliness, and just plain cuteness.

I love you Mr. Man!

With all my love,

Mommy

Colin's 2nd Birthday Video

Where next?

Dear Colin,

It's always a surprise to check on you while you sleep.  I have found you lying on top of your pillow as if the pillow was your bed.  I found you sleeping with a book coving your face.  Thomas the train napped on your shoulder one day.  Your big black bear has been found lying on top of you.  I found you on top of books.  You have also used a book as a pillow.  I find you in all sorts of fun ways.  I don't always get a picture but I do have these two goodies...  I'm surprised the flash didn't wake you!

Exhausted after pulling out the changing pad?

The chair is obviously more comfortable than your bed.   You do look pretty cozy there with a pillow and Bear Bear.

I think I'm going to keep my phone or camera with me when ever I check on you.  There are so many funny sleep positions and locations - I could write a book!

Thanks for the smiles!

With all my love,

Mommy

Re-organization

Dear Colin,

Or should I say "dear monkey?"  The other day, when you should have been going to bed, you climbed onto your changing table.  I guessed that you climbed on there from your bed.  So, I rotated your changing table so it wasn't in climbing range from your bed.  That worked for a few days.

Then last night I found you on your changing table again!  What's wrong with lying down and going to sleep on your bed?  What's so interesting about sitting on the changing table?  Luckily, you don't try to climb back down.  You simply yell for help.  This time I guessed you used your toy chest and diaper pail to climb on top.  So this morning I rearranged your room once again!  

This time your changing table was moved between your dresser and closet under the window.  I moved the chair to the other corner at the foot of your bed.  I then changed your diaper and left the room for no more than 2 minutes.  When I came back,  YOU WERE ON YOUR CHANGING TABLE!!!  You fooled me!  I thought you were using other furniture to climb up.  Instead you were using the shelves.  Way to go monkey boy!

So, I did the next logical thing.  I took the changing table out of your room.  I re-organized your dresser drawers so the bottom drawers now hold diapers, wipes, covers, and wet bags.  I took the changing pad off the top of the changing table and now keep it under your bed.  When it comes time to change your diaper the pad will simply slide out.

Daddy suggested that we just take the middle shelf off the changing table to prevent you from climbing.  My only reservation about that is the table isn't mounted on the wall and I don't want you attempting to climb up and make the whole thing fall on top of you.  I figure since you're super interested in using the potty we will attempt to potty train you in August.  If you're ready and potty train fairly easily then we wont need a changing table anyway.  If we try and you're not ready to potty train then that's fine too.  We'll just change you on the floor.

Until then, please behave!

With all my monkey love,

Mommy

Pass the Pig

Dear Quillinan Trio,

After too many conversations / jokes / silly talk about bodily functions at the dinner table I introduced "the pig".

"the pig"

If you are rude or show poor manners at the table, you get the pig passed to you.  You keep the pig until someone else makes an infraction.  The person with the pig at the end of dinner is then responsible to sweep under the table.  I was tired of repeating myself and no one listening or curbing the potty talk.  The pig however only took one night.  Potty talk is no longer a concern at the table!  Wahoo!   Unfortunately (or fortunately),  that means that I am the one who sweeps under the table but at least we are no longer getting frustrated!  WIN!

I'm sure you will all end up with the pig at the end of dinner sometime but I'm happy that all I'll have to do is pass the pig instead of correct your behavior.  Everyone stays happy and peaceful. 

Me: "look mad"  Looks more sour than mad but I'll take it.  :)

 

Me:  "look sad"  Good try Penny; if only your eyes weren't sparkling.  :)

With all my love,

Mommy