Dear Etrain,
First of all...you're three! So cool! But we'll get to that later because we had a jam packed month to talk about. I'll just go in order.
The month started with our annual family photo shoot. You can read more details and and see the photos here, but the shots below were a few Auntie Ansley took after the shoot. You really wanted to take off the jacket and shirt I made you wear, hence the below. I will say our Christmas cards turned our pretty awesome though.
We've gotten back into juicing lately and you love it. The juice really does taste good, but it feels like we are tricking you. If I were to ask you to eat something green, you would adamantly say no and a battle might ensue. But when we juice you help cut up everything and help put it into the juicer, which makes it more fun, and therefore you want to drink it. We use kale, spinach, carrots, apples, and oranges, and it turns out really sweet. You and Dada always race to see who will finish their glass first. You like to win, but I'm the one who feels like I'm winning. Score on getting you to eat some greens!
This is a just you mowing down some eggs, bacon and toast...with ketchup, always.
You've been learning some fun things from Nana and Sunday school. I guess a little girl at Sunday school taught Nana this song and she taught it to you. So cute. She also brought home the Thanksgiving project they did at Sunday school. I like how trucks are on there twice. Priorities.
Next up was Thanksgiving. We had a pretty mellow Thanksgiving at home. Uncle Viet smoked us a turkey and we made the rest of the sides. Grandma and Grandpa came over and you had some fun crawling all over Grandpa.
Two days later was Dada's birthday and it was a big one...he turned forty this year! We started the day at one of Dada's favorite places for breakfast called Nicks. They have chicken and waffles that Dada just loves. You and Dada got a little silly with the napkins...or rather we were trying to entertain you because we still needed to pay and you were restless.
That night we went to Nana and Papa's house. Since we didn't get to spend Thanksgiving with them, they had us over for a second Thanksgiving meal...and we celebrated Dada's birthday as well. Grandma and Grandpa came over and Auntie Jenna and her boyfriend, Scott came too. We had a delicious meal and I made everyone take some pictures together after. It was really sweet to watch you go around to all your grandparents to give hugs and kisses before we left.
To be honest, I don't remember what was going on here. I guess I was amused with you eating BBQ chips and chocolate so I took photos of you.
More juice! You love to race Dada to see who will drink it the fastest. You basically like making everything a race. Sometimes we use that to our advantage. For example, when you don't want to go get ready for bed, we tell you we're going to beat you up the stairs and before we know it you're racing up.
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| On the left - Auntie Michelle and Uncle Elliott, with (left to right) Luke, Landon, and Levi. On the right - you snuggling up to Tanner = so adorable. |
Dada's party was a total success! All of his friends showed up, and so did all the family members we invited. We had so much fun I forgot to take photos. The only one I got was the shot below after you were already in bed, and almost everyone went home.
One weekend we wanted to go somewhere new, so we tried out downtown Santa Ana. While walking around we found this huge painted wall and super large Christmas tree, so I of course made you pose for some photos.
Lately you've been wanting to build "big castles" in your room after nap, so here is one of our creations. You were so proud of how tall it was.
Oh man, this part is hard. My poor baby. You were soooo sick (and still are, but more on that next month). This was the worst I've ever seen you. A week before your birthday I think you got the flu. You had a pretty constant fever, that even children's Tylenol couldn't help (usually does), you threw up several times, and you were very lethargic. Usually when you're sick, you are still pretty bubbly and playful, but this time there were a couple days you just laid on the couch and didn't want to much at all. One of those days I think you ate one cracker all day. We felt so bad for you.
Oh, and I guess I should share this story...just to tell you I'm sorry again. There was one morning Dada went to get you up from bed, and when he walked in you were covered in vomit. All over your bed, clothes, skin and even your hair. Dried up. I guess at one point in the night you woke up and threw up, but we didn't hear it. Usually, you cry pretty loud and we bolt out of bed. Oh baby, I felt so bad. Not only because you threw up all over, but that we didn't hear you and come help you...and worse, you slept in it. And two nights later it happened again. Maybe you were too weak to even call for us? Makes me tear up just thinking about it. I'm sorry my little one. I just hope you fell asleep quickly and weren't too upset we didn't come get you earlier.
Anyway, I was bummed because I thought you would be too sick for your birthday, and birthday party. But as you can see by your photo shoot shots below, you perked up and were just fine...well mostly, but again, more on that next month. Too see how we celebrated your 3rd birthday read this.
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| Random side note: How cool is this photo wall in your room?! You painted that cross at school. |
- You still LOVE trucks, cars, or anything that moves. We never leave the house without monster trucks in our hands. Used to be hot wheels cars. Now it's monster trucks all day every day. You still want to watch monster trucks on my phone after you go poop in the potty.
- You also still love to play basketball at home.
- You know all your numbers, letters, and know the sounds to most letters too. I have a feeling you'll be reading simple words pretty soon.
- Speaking of reading, we still read a ton. Mostly before nap/bed, but you love it. And we're pretty much into full stories now. Your favorites lately are any of the Dr. Seuss books. Dada bought a whole set of Dr. Seuss books and you've been earning them for going poop in the potty. I can't tell you how excited you are to get a new book and read it each night. You have a fabulous memory and can sometimes "read" the stories to us...because you have them memorized.
- You can spell your first name, but know your whole name, birthday, and address.
- We're still trying to master floating with confidence in swim class, but you're getting better each time. You're pretty good at kicking to the side of the pool.
- Your favorite buddies are Carson, JJ, Jacob, Gage and Caden.
- You really love school. You hug your teachers (Ms. Lauren and Ms. Emily) when you arrive to class. Here's a craft/gift you created for us for Christmas. -->- You are basically potty trained. No accidents, but you do still go in your pull-ups at nap and bedtime. That'll come with time.
- Your favorite song is Get Low by Dillon Frances and DJ Snake. You run around the house like a crazy person when it comes on. I like your style, kid.
- If you could eat pizza everyday you would, but you're still a pretty good eater in general. Vegetables are hard (hence the juice), but you'll eat most fruits, proteins, and of course breads.
- You are the most lovable little boy on the planet...ok maybe not right now, but I'm hoping that's just the cold. You are usually so sweet and love to give out hugs and kisses. Sometimes we battle to see who can give more. I just love how affectionate you are.
- You are also verrry sensitive. Sometimes I worry a tad about it because you really hate all negativity, anger, and any sort of confrontation. I mean, no one does, but it seems to affect you more than other kids. I continue to work on getting you to talk to me when you're sad/upset/mad, and try to explain when Dada or I get mad at you. I know I have to be firm at times, but I don't want to hurt your sweet little spirit either.
- I also love how silly you are. Maybe all kids are, but you do a good job at making Dada and I laugh. Dada is the funniest of the family and he's always singing or teaching you different sayings. It's really awesome when you'll repeat one randomly, yet appropriately in context. I think the most recent one was "catch you later, bro."
- Call me a proud parent, but you are also super smart. Maybe it's just that you have a great memory, but I think it's more than that. Yes, you can name most cars on the road, and do the letters, etc I mentioned above, but you also seem really intuitive. You seem to understand people and feelings. Also, I can't think of the name for the skill, but here's an example ( I may have already told this story, anyway)...a long while ago you wanted to play with some toys in your bed (it wasn't bed time, you just wanted to play in there for some reason), and I told you bed was for sleeping and not for play, and you responded to me saying "ok mom, but what about your bed?" I was so proud of you for listening, but also challenging me for inconsistency. We didn't go in my room, but it occurred to me later that you meant, "what about all the times I play cars on your bed when Dada and I go it to wake you up in the morning, or when you're showering, etc."
- You're just the coolest and I love you more than you'll ever know.
Happy birthday my sweet boy. I'm sorry you are sick, but we still had a blast. I'm so proud and grateful for the wonderful little boy you are.
Love,
Mama
P.S. In keeping with my annual tradition, here's your monthly photos grouped together for your 3rd year of life. You can also check out year one and year two.
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