Made in Richmond

More here.

JR,

Wait, what? WHAT!? What. How are we here already?

At 2:41pm today, you will be officially 3 years old. And I’ll probably cry in the corner for a little while because WHERE DID MY BAYBEEEE GO?

Well, I guess I do know. He turned into a boy — a smart and sweet and kind and gentle and playful and hilarious and infuriating and humbling boy who is, without a doubt, the best thing to ever happen to us.

We love you, beautiful birthday boy. Thank you for being ours.

Love,

Mama

(Costume based on this tutorial from Mighty Girl)

He cries through dinner.

No. He screams through dinner.

In fact, there really ISN’T a dinner because of his screaming.

He fights me through washing up, brushing his teeth, and putting on his pajamas.

He runs away when I ask him to get into bed, screaming “NO!” in the way only toddlers can.

Each attempt to read a book is met with a snotty, “I don’t LIKE that one!”

Each attempt to sing a song is met with a whiny, “No, the DIFFERENT song,” even though he can’t tell me which song the “DIFFERENT” song is.

Once the lights are off and the door is shut, the stalling tactics start: requests to go potty, get a drink, get a tissue.

Then more tears. More screaming.

More exasperated sighs and muttering under my breath. I just don’t want to go back in there. I’m spent. I have nothing left.

And yet.

Every time I think I’m done, the dam of frustration built up in my chest cracks just enough to fill me with a little bit more of whatever it is I need to go back in there and be what he needs me to be, give him what he needs me to give.

This time it’s a cuddle in the rocking chair. Just one more song. Just to sit with him a little longer.

Does he deserve it? Probably not. But seeing his little hand in mine, his eyes fluttering as he fights off sleep — open, shut, open, shut — reminds me of the gift he is, the gift I probably don’t deserve either.

JR,

I’ve always told people that kids can just TELL when you’re about to send them up the river because right at that moment, their behavior changes and you remember why you intentionally entered into the parent-child relationship to begin with.

As I mention in last month’s later, we were experiencing some challenges with you. Well, right after I hit publish, we entered an almost month-long phase of things being pretty easy. Save the epic temper tantrum you threw today, that’s basically how things are right now.

Don’t get me wrong, you still have your moments, but overall you’re just a really enjoyable kid.

***

Daddy went on a couple trips this month, which was interesting. The first trip was just for two nights, but the second trip was for FIVE. It was very hard to take care of you by myself for that long, but we eventually found a rhythm. I think his next trip will be much easier on us. And looking back, it was nice to have you to myself for a while — although I was VERY happy when your Daddy got home.

***

We’ve just hit a great milestone as far as potty training goes. I won’t get into specifics, but I think soon I’ll be able to reallocate the funds that we used to spend on diapers.

***

Your verbal development continues to amaze me. Very rarely do I not understand what you’re saying, and we have the longest conversations. You also continue to parrot a lot of what we say, which can be quite humbling at times.

***

Imaginative play is your favorite way to spend time (other than playing “baseball” with your Daddy). You love to play restaurant and store, and LOVE when you get to be the cashier/serve because it means you get to use a PEN! or type on the COMPUTER! However, your customer service skills leave a little to be desired. Remember, it’s “What can I get for you?” not “What do you want?” and “Your total is XYZ” not “Ok, gimme some money.” We’re working on it.

***

Last week we had a conference with your teachers because we’re getting ready to move you up to the preschool class. They had nothing but lovely things to say about you, particularly about how sweet you are with the other kids. Apparently you’ve been showing good leadership skills, organizing games of Ring Around the Rosie and corralling all of your friends when it’s time to go inside. I was worried they were saying that you were bossy, but they assured me that you’re always very kind about it. They also mentioned that you have zero interest in getting involved in physical confrontations with other kids (no hitting, biting, etc.); you just walk away. That’s a great thing for parents to hear. They are SO SAD for you to move up to the next class, and we are equally sad to say goodbye to them. They’ve done such a fantastic job caring for you over the last year.

***

One of your big events this month was going to the pumpkin patch. You and I went with your friend Jack and ran into your other friends, Sam, Ailey, and Myles while we were there. Up until this year we had always gotten our Halloween pumpkins at the grocery store, but I figured that since you’re getting older, it was time for the real deal. You had a fantastic time and even took a couple runs through the hay bale maze they had set up at the pumpkin farm. We had a really fun day and I can’t wait to do it again.

Obviously our visit to the pumpkin patch means we’re getting ready for Halloween, and you are extremely excited. You asked to be a “red fishy” this year, and I actually managed to make your costume (I’ll post pictures after the big day). We’ve been talking a lot about the order of how things go with Halloween: first you pick the pumpkin, then you carve the pumpkin, then you eat the seeds, then you put on your costume, then you go trick-or-treating, THEN you eat candy. You’d like to eat the seeds and candy now, but you’re doing a very good job at being patient.

And let’s be honest, you’re doing a very good job at being everything an almost three-year-old (!!!) should be: chatty, infuriating, loving, emotional, hilarious, and so sweet.

Way to go, kid.

Love,

Mama

I know I apologized for image-only entries in my last post, but good gravy. My heeeeaaaaart.

(Also: Go Hokies)

Read more here.

JR,

Ohhhhhh, JR.

Ok, first, let me say that I love you more than anything. You are the biggest joy in my life.

But daaaaaaaang, kid.

Your twos haven’t been so terrible overall, but the last few weeks have been…challenging.

I keep trying to remind myself that you’re always on the dramatic side before a big milestone — three is just around the corner, after all. Meanwhile, potty training is going on and your buds at school keep moving up to the pre-school class ahead of you (you’ll see them a couple weeks after your birthday). I just think it’s a lot for your mind to process.

Also, people are just crabby sometimes, and I tend to forget that, yes, you are an actual *person*.

***

You spent last weekend with your Grandma while your Dad and I went out of town for Aunt Phanie’s wedding. When I called to check on you, Grandma sounded very tired when she said, “Does he always *talk* this much?” Ha. Haha. Hahahahahahaha. She has no idea. You are just about the chattiest kid ever, particularly with people with whom you feel very comfortable. It’s fun to see what you want to talk about though. Lately you’ll say things like “Ummmm, let’s talk about things that are yellow” or brown or whatever color is on your mind. Then we name things that are that color, before moving on to another. I’m sure this is something your teachers say, but it still cracks me up.

***

Storytime at the library seems to be your most favorite thing these days. You love to sing and to see the other kids. Picking out movies and books is the highlight of your week. You always seem so surprised that the library will just let us take all! these! books! home! You have VERY little interest in your own books and only want to read the ones from the “li-berry.”

***

I had to go to the Children’s Museum to cover something for work, and since it’s obviously a kid-friendly venue, you got to join me. We hadn’t been for a very long time, and you just about lost your mind with excitement. You loved the pretend autoshop the most because you got to pretend to change tires and pump gas. You kept shouting, “IT’S JUST LIKE LIGHTNING MCQUEEN!”

***

We sing songs every night, and lately you’ve only had tolerance for what you call “hard” songs. These are typically songs we sing in church or whatever songs I can come up with that aren’t on the typical toddler’s playlist.

A current favorite is “Beautiful Boy.” You know all the words now — good thing because most of the time I get choked up and can’t finish it…

Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He’s on the run and your [mama's] here,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,
Darling,
Darling,
Darling [Jackson].

Sometimes you sing “Beautiful Mama” instead. And then I die from the sweet.

Love,
Mama

(Picture by Ross)