Emerson Updates

The age of "Two" has been a fun venture. Emerson is full of personality, very kind and thoughtful, super goofy, and just a really fun kid. The twos also have brought about the new independence, sass, and tantrums. You can just see their little brain trying to figure everything out and working on all these new "emotions" and put words to it.  Those parts have been harder and a little surprising since it is so out of character for him but overall he is a super happy kid. We love this little goober.

For Christmas he received new underwear, in prep for potty training in the future. We had been putting him on the potty a few times a day (before bed, baths, if you could tell he needed to go, etc) since he was about 18 months old so he wouldn't be scared of it and knew what it was from the beginning but without pushing him before he was ready. We also talked about it, read books, and just tried to make him aware of when he was going etc. The day we got back from Christmas he asked to put on his new underwear, trying not to damper any potty training vibes I agreed and much to my surprise he had 0 accidents that day! He definitely has Mark's OCD behavior when it comes to cleanliness. He had always hated being wet or dirty so I was hoping he would be easy. He exceeded any expectations and he just jumped right in. He had some hiccups and some days were much better then others. We found focusing on "being clean & dry" was much more productive then just encouraging him to "go in the potty". We had a treat bucket full of things he normally didn't get, suckers, mints fruit/veggie juice boxes, fruit leathers, etc. Every hour I would ask him if he was clean and dry and if he was he could pick a treat. He would then go sit on the potty and if he went then he got to put a sticker on the chart. Even when he does have accidents he tells us right away, never hides etc. Really, it was a breeze and I was shocked. Hip hip hooray for the worlds easiest potty trainer.

He is obsessed with games and playing games with us - I blame Mark for being part of a board game company

This winter was not easy on us - our normally healthy home got hit hard with the flu and cold season. Super big bummer. This kid made it to almost 2 before getting his first sickness!

I asked how he was feeling and he gave me his signitare "Thumbs Up"

He loves dinosaurs, cars, reading, movies nights,  and being outside. His favorite is going on truck rides with dad or any chore that includes working with tools or dad

My little produce snatcher. Any time we go grocery shopping I always find him munching on the produce in the back of the cart

He loves reading, if it is ever quiet he is either up to something no good or you will find him quietly reading to himself

I love that he is obsessed with books, its just not my favorite when he is suppose to be napping...

Finger painting a favorite pastime this winter

 Collecting the mail 

 He used to hate not having clothes on - he always wanted to be dressed. Apparently that all changes at 2 and every time I see him he has either changed his shirt or lost his clothes all together.

 Cross-country skiing with mom

When Mark is in class we go on "Mommy Dates" Emerson is a fan of mommy dates, we try to do something fun either watching a movie, looking at toys at the store, or we splurge and go out together.