September Thoughts

Josh is turing into quite a 3 year old. He didn't really have the "terrible twos", but he definitely has the "I want to be in control of everything threes". Every transition can be quite an ordeal these days. Getting up, putting on clothes, eating, getting in the car... it all requires a lot of finesse and many, many warnings about what is coming up. But, he's still so cute. The other night he tried on his astronaut costume, oh my. I can't believe we have a little boy running around our house. You never know what he is going to talk about. Sometimes he tells us elaborate stories and other times it is the unpleasant "Joshua says no" or the "but I'm busy now". He definitely knows what he wants and doesn't want to do!

Joshisms-

• Joshua says no.
• But I'm busy now.
• I don't like that, I like chocolate.
• I really like you.
• I just want to play.

Daniel is doing better and has many more periods when he is not crying. And, he has the cutest smiles. He really is quite smiley, and especially likes to smile during diaper changes. He has also slept approximately 9:30-5:30 a few times now, so maybe a full nights sleep is right around the corner!!! I hope so, since I'm returning to work very soon.

Sleeping

Daniel was so asleep that he stayed asleep when we plopped him on the floor, which is pretty unusual for him.

When Daniel falls asleep he often has a long series of the cutest sleep smiles and then the occassional chuckle or two. It is the cutest thing ever.

Daniel at 12 Weeks

Brothers

Josh finally wanted to hold Daniel! Josh is really very sweet and gentle with Daniel, even if most of the time he prefers to ignore him.

Out for a walk

If only the hat wouldn't keep falling over Daniel's eyes!

Bath time

Daniel had the spit up to end all spit ups during dinner tonite. Actually, it was four times and I think it was a lot more than "spit up". We quickly set up the bath and Josh was a very good helper. He was very gentle shampooing Daniel's hair.

A Smile

I just realized today that I didn't have a recent photo of Josh with a smile. Must be the age, but whenever I pull out the camera, he pulls out the unhappy face. Oh Josh! Yesterday we had a miserable day. Josh was not happy with one of his toys. He kept getting frustrated and in turn, mommy got frustrated. Today was much, much better. Today when we were at the shopping mall, Josh asked if they had a potty. And yes, he used it!!!!

Oh yeah, notice the haircut.

Sleep

It seems like Daniel will sleep being held any which way. If only he would keep sleeping once you put him down!!!

Cousin Rachel and Daniel

Crane Talk

First, you put out the stabilizer legs. Next, raise the boom. Lower the hook and then extend the jib.

Which is more impressive, that Josh can follow all these instructions or that mom knows the name of every part of the crane???

Birthday Party Photos #2

Birthday Photos #1

Trying to catch that smile!

Ice cream

It has taken awhile, but Josh finally decided that ice cream isn't so bad. He especially liked the "melt" part.

Josh on his birthday

Waking up to presents, definitely the best way to wake up. Josh pretty much refused to smile for me when I was trying to get a picture of the "big 3 year old". Yum, cupcakes with a new discovery, sprinkles!

Josh Turns Three!!!

Three? My little boy is three? How did that happen? Where did this talking little person come from? And, not so little anymore. The crib is down! The crib is down! Josh is officially, 100% in his big boy bed. Next thing to go away, diapers. Hopefully in the not so distant future.

Josh's b-day was on a Thursday. We woke him up singing Happy Birthday and with a small present. I think Josh thought it was a nice way to start the day. In the evening we gave him our gifts and had cupcakes to celebrate. We gave Josh his own camera since he always wants to use mine. I don't think he was too thrilled with it. But hopefully he will like it more over time. I think Josh was expecting some big trucks and cranes. We hope those were arriving at his birthday part.

We had Josh's 3 year birthday party at a local park the following Sunday. There were one or two melt-downs, until mom wised up and let Josh open a few presents. Josh really liked his chocolate with chocolate frosting Thomas cake and in general seemed to have a good time. But the fun really started after the party when we went home and all the grandparents and family came too. Josh got to open all of his presents and was very excited by the arrival of a large mobile crane and more construction trucks! There was no nap after that, but we did force 5 bites of lunch into him before he completely crashed.

Here's Another Song Coming Up

Josh says "here's another song coming up" all the time now. He then pauses and then either hums a "it has no words" song or sings something like "trucks have big wheels and they are really loud".

Photos by Josh

Josh likes to photograph the important things. Cement mixers, cranes, etc. The cutest thing is when he takes a picture of something, like a blanket and then goes to the blanket to show it the picture he just took!

Torture, uhm, Tummy Time

Wait, you are supposed to stay on your tummy!