Alyse & Carlos: Growing up too fast

Favorite food: Grandma's lentils

My baby boy is two! That's just crazy, people! Crazy! We finally transferred him out of his crib to a "big boy bed" (or a twin mattress on the floor). We have jimmy rigged his crib for the last several months to postpone the inevitable. Sleep sacks are very helpful (it keeps them from climbing). He soon figured out how to unzip it, so then we had to do it inside out, and finally inside out and backwards. So, it was time. The transition went much better than I expected. He sleeps all night in his bed, but nap time is a different story.

Chance to play daddy's violin: priceless (until he breaks it)

Current fascinations: He still loves his teddy bear, and is getting more attached to it. He used to just sleep with it, now he carries it everywhere. He loves all bears, and laughs whenever he sees one (teddy bears, or real ones in a picture). Cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats--all things transportation. He loves pretending to drive the car. If your car door is open, he will climb inside, and gets very upset if he has to get out. He also loves balls. I hid all of the harder plastic ones--those hurt to get hit with, and this boy has an arm! He gets most excited about cleaning supplies: feather duster, broom, mop, but especially the vacuum! We hide everything from him, but let him "help" us when they're out. Giddy would be an understatement when that happens. Music. This boy loves to dance whenever music is on, and he loves to play instruments. Everything is an instrument to him. He's banging and clanging everything. "More cowbell please!" He is still fascinated with all electronic things--especially anything you can plug in. His favorite part of the day is going on a run with daddy (even if it's 10+ miles on a hot day).

This is MINE, all mine!!!

Every morning he parts the blinds to see what's going on outside

Developmentally: He's getting better at pretend play--mostly with cooking and his transportation toys. Anything that has wheels says "beep beep!" He likes to "feed" Teddy, and loves when we tuck Teddy in bed. Physically, this kid is amazing. He can run, jump, kick, and climb anywhere. He is strong too. Fine motor--he's becoming more right hand dominant, he feeds himself great (when he wants to eat), and his little fingers can pry open almost anything. He undresses himself (including his diaper if it's not taped on--NOT my favorite thing right now). He's still off the charts for height and about 70th %ile for weight. People ask me about my "4-year-old" because he's so big! His language is improving bit by bit. He definitely knows how to express himself, we just have to remind him to use his words. When he signs it melts my heart.

Texting while driving

Temper, temper. He's obviously the cutest boy in the world, but he can throw a tantrum (especially when he hasn't napped). He throws things when he's mad, and inevitably ends up in timeout for this. (We're still working on the concept of timeout). He's getting to be a pickier eater, which is challenging; and he's having issues with dairy--that's no fun since his favorite thing is ice cream. Poor boy.

Reading books and watching BYU football with Grandpa...living the dream

Besides his dad, his favorite people in the world are his "bumpas." (Grandpas). He asks for them constantly, and when they are around--he's following/sitting/climbing on them. They're both so patient and wonderful with him. He knows his grandpas love him, and boy does he love them!

Playing ball with daddy up the canyon

Despite our best efforts, he found the stream (and Carlos fell in too) :)

I'm pretty sure his genes are 95% from Carlos, and 5% from me. He has Carlos' everything--physical features, mannerisms, energy, even his dance moves. The only time I see me in him is in his round cheeks or when he scowls. We debate over where he got his stubborn nature from (obviously from Carlos).