Progress

Last summer, we had Colby enrolled in music, soccer, and swim lessons. All were pretty much a bust- he ran wild in soccer and music, and he was terrified of swimming after accidentally going under the water. He did enjoy almost two years of music classes before he started misbehaving by turning on and off the light switches, running around, etc. Since last July, he had no activities at all (other than school) until about two months ago.

I'm very proud to report that things are looking up and we are back in activities again. Colby has been doing gymnastics for about two months, and he's been doing great (with the exception of the very first class, when he tested every limit and rule...we almost did not go back). He loves the balance beam and the vault, and especially loves jumping onto the crash mats.

He had his first soccer class this morning with Lee, and he did great! He followed the directions, stretched, dribbled, and kicked. We are also doing a "parent and me" swim class to get him prepared for level one lessons (without a parent) starting in a few weeks. He's doing great in the lessons- he gets into the water without crying now (major progress), blows bubbles, gets most of his face wet, jumps off of the side to me, and does the kicking drills. He still does not put his head under the water, so hopefully that will be the next step. The key for him is to wear goggles because he hates getting his eyes wet (even in the bath tub) so that is really helping him feel comfortable.

I have both Colby and Miller signed up again for music this Spring (Miller is currently going by herself when Colby is in school), so hopefully Colby will follow the trend and behave. So all together, Colby will be doing swim lessons, music, gymnastics, and soccer on the days when he is not in school. Idle hands are the devil's workshop.

Miller is also making amazing progress with her language. She has said her first sentences: "I want it" and "I don't want it". She uses "I don't want it" the most, especially referring to other people she sees, fearing they might pick her up, get too close, or try to change her diaper. (She still cries in protest at almost every diaper change) She also communicates her needs very well. This morning, she came up to me and said "Help". I said "Help with what?" and she said "coat". She was inside with her coat on and she was too hot. Miller's favorite thing to do is jump, and she's been doing it very well since before she was 18 months old. She is definitely very physical and I cannot wait to get her into sports, especially swimming. It's just hard to find the time right now because Colby needs the swim lessons more, so he takes priority at the moment.

With all this progress going on, I guess it's only natural for something to go in the other direction. (TMI warning) Unfortunately, that something is potty training. Colby is going on day 7 of pooping a little in his underwear. Not a real poop, which he still does in a diaper, just a small nugget. I usually discover it by smelling a not so pleasant aroma, or finding the nugget on his bed when I change his clothes. (I warned you) We've even found one in our closet...I don't know how long it was there and I don't want to know. We have no idea why he's doing this because it seems like it's on purpose....it takes a lot of control to do that on a daily basis! Hopefully this is just a phase and he won't go to college with skid marks. He's also peeing in his underwear a little several times a day. Apparently, that's how he knows he needs to use the potty.

On that note, I'm headed to mom's night out in an hour, and we are going to the circus tomorrow with Colby (We're getting a sitter for Miller because I know she wouldn't sit through it). I can't wait!

Easter bunny visit 2010

Whew, things have been rough around here. Colby is going through a phase...at least I hope it's a phase, and it's not a pleasant one. Instead of asking "what if I don't?"...he just doesn't. Doesn't listen, doesn't wash his hands, doesn't do most of what we ask him to do. It usually comes down to a threat to get him to do anything. In addition, he's been really rough with Miller. (Miller is sporting her first black eye...we didn't see it happen, but we have our suspicions) We have really had to crack down on the punishment, and Colby has been going to time out or up to his room several times a day. It's exhausting.

Part of the problem might be a new friendship Colby has at school. His new "very best friend" is a little boy named Jack. To put it nicely, Jack has issues. Jack is the boy who has bitten Colby twice this year, and was almost kicked out of school. Apparently, they have made up, and now they are inseparable. I love it that Colby has a good friend, but I wish he were a better influence. (We have had one playdate with Jack, and when he was here, he hit Miller in the face because she touched him. I don't think we are going to have more playdates any time soon!) Also, I'm sad to say that Colby doesn't run to me anymore when I pick him up from school. In fact, like the two previous years, he runs away from me. I know this is a sign that he likes school, but it's still embarrassing to be the only mom who has to chase her child to get him to leave. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Even though Colby is rough with Miller, she loves him sooo much. She calls him "Buh-bee" and worships he ground he walks on. Whenever she goes down for her nap, she yells out "Bye-bye Buh-bee!" and waves her hand frantically. When we go to pick him up from school, she runs to his door, looks through the window, and yells "See Buh-bee!" Oh wait, first she walks up to the moms standing outside of the classroom and initiates a high five with all of them. She's such a funny little girl.

Colby is still in full Buzz Lightyear mode. We got him a Buzz costume (more like a bodysuit) and some wings, and he likes to fly through the yard. (or house)


Miller has no problem climbing up the play structure by herself and going down the slide.


She is still very into her jewelry. More is more.


Today we got dressed up for our annual visit to the Easter bunny.

Miller was very suspicious as to why Colby was holding her hand, but she went along with it.


He can be sweet when he wants to be. (Miller is still not totally buying it)






One smile, no tears, both looking forward, and holding hands....AMAZING!

Willie Bob 2.0

It's no secret that Colby desires to be a rock star, so we recently bought him overalls and a hat so that he could look more like his favorite guitarist, Willie Bob from Rocknoceros.

He likes to be in full Willie Bob attire when playing and singing at home.


We took him to a Rocknoceros concert this weekend, and he was so excited to wear his new outfit. He chatted with Willie Bob before the show...


And then it was all business.


Colby did not miss a beat.


Miller missed quite a few, but she made up for it in goldfish and puffs. (not necessarily mine)


After the show, the band let Colby get up on stage. He was in HEAVEN.




Colby took over Willie Bob's guitar, so they switched for a while...


and sang some songs together.





Luckily, we got quite a bit of the concert on video. I have too much footage to post, so here are just a few segments.





Listen carefully to what they are saying in this one. Lee was actually taking this video of Miller (who doesn't know any of these people she's sitting with) and they started talking about Colby. Earlier in the show, they nicknamed him "Willie Bob 2.0" and joked that he was a new and improved upgrade. They joked about it throughout the concert, but this was the only snippet we got on video.


This is what Miller likes to do at concerts. She finds people with food and cozies up to them.

To infinity....

And beyond!!!!

Colby has recently become obsessed with the movie Toy Story, and more specifically, Buzz Lightyear. This is the first movie he has seen, and he watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. Life has not been the same since.

If there's a loud boom in the house, we know that somewhere, Colby is pretending to be Buzz and jumping off of something. There have been a few times when I thought someone had pulled a dresser over, but it was just Colby jumping off of his bed onto the floor (with his wings out, of course). He also has a Buzz toy/action figure, and he takes it with him everywhere he goes. This weekend he got a Toy Story book, so he likes to watch the movie and follow along in the book, pausing to bring Buzz to life and make him fly and crash down along with the movie.

Colby and Buzz


Colby and Buzz taking a much needed nap on the floor. (the only time this has ever happened)


Sleeping in his big boy bed


Meanwhile, Miller is absorbing everything Colby does. She also loves Buzz, but mainly because she's not allowed to touch him (at least when Colby is home). She truly has an unlimited vocabulary at this point. Every day, I hear new words, and she can repeat any word. When she is carried away for her nap in the afternoon, she will cry and then say "Bye Colby" as she is carried off. She really adores her brother, despite the fact that he still likes to pull her legs and bother her.

Here she is in Colby's room...wearing Colby's necklace...with Colby's book...just trying to be like Colby. And yes, she is always covered in bruises with red knees.