30 Months Old

Wow! I have a 2-1/2 year-old. How did THAT happen?! Two and a half years of James. What a huge, huge blessing to have had him in our lives for these last 30 months. I don't think I've ever been a happier person as I have been being a mom to my son. It has always been my dream to be a mom, and I am living the dream people! No, no, it's not all rainbows and roses. Definately not. But I love all of it - the good days and the bad days, and even the days when I want to just curl up and hide in a cave, I still wouldn't trade it for anything. Nothing. I really can't think of one thing I'd rather be doing.

James is a joy. He is truly a character, and keeps us laughing all day long. His latest ambition is singing, with favourites being the "ABC's", "Twinkle Twinkle", "Mr. Golden Sun", "Five Little Monkeys", and the theme song for "The Wonder Pets". Get him started on any of these songs, and you will likely be serenaded for a good hour. Often we can hear him singing for a long time when he's been put down to bed for the night. He generally wakes up happy, and is happy most of the time. He doesn't get cranky unless he's hungry (like his mommy), or if he doesn't get his way (like his daddy?). His favourite thing to play indoors is cars. He can play with his Hot Wheels for long periods of time - making up funny stories, and conversations between them. Outdoors he loves to play with his "Dora car" and his golf clubs. Otherwise, he can be kept busy dancing, running and jumping. The neighbours have a trampoline (thank you Lord), and this wonderful invention usually gets him good and tired out before bed. Today daddy is going to finish making his new (purple) sandbox, and I'm sure he will be thrilled with it! He still continues to stop traffic with his cute comments and looks. Today he told our waitress she was "brown", as she has dark skin. Super funny!

James is a lover. James loves a lot of things. He definately loves his mommy, and tells me that often with big hugs and cuddles! He also loves daddy, his cats, his hamster, his grandparents, his Uncle Matt, his bed, and various other objects. Whenever James "loves" something, he holds it close to his face and scrunches up his lips when he says "I just love my _________ mommy".

James is growing up. I am constantly learning of new things James can do on his own. Some recent accomplishments are: learning to turn on the basement lights by himself, getting himself food out of the pantry and fridge, helping himself to gum out of my purse, washing his hands, adn riding his tricycle (still mastering those pedals though). This week my brother and I were working on a project outside, and I saw James go into the porch. After some time of not coming back out, Matt went to find him. He came out and said, "Oh James is just sitting and having a snack". I didn't know what he meant, where did James get a snack? "Oh, no, he's inside the house in his chair in the basement, watching cartoons and eating a bowl of grapes". What?! He had let himself in (didn't know he could open the door yet), got the bowl of grapes out of the fridge, walked downstairs with them, turned on the TV, and settled in! Oh my goodness! James has no ambition to use the potty or toilet yet, and is still in diapers. I plan to make a few attempts at training this summer, but if it doesn't go smoothly, we're just going to wait until we're stuck inside this winter.

James has lots of friends. James has lots of boys to grow up with, which is so awesome! His oldest friends are Emery and Levi, who are both 4. His buddy Gabriel, whose mommy I met online is born the same week as James. Next is Isaiah, who is just 5 months younger and also Griffin. Rounding out the end is Jaxson, who trails James by a year and two months. All these boys play together pretty well, and I am so thankful that he has these boys to grow up with. Sadly, his favourite person is his cousin Emily, and he doesn't get to see her very much. He also loves his cousins Thomas, Simon and Maggie, and talks about them regularly.

James is learning the hard way. James has a very stubborn streak in him. Yes, this must come from daddy for sure! He absolutely does not know how to listen. Nearly 75% of the time, he will do the complete OPPOSITE of what you've just asked him to do. This is becoming increasingly more frustrating as days go by. One day this week James received 8 punishments for not listening. I realize that he's two and a half, and this is part of the age. However, when he disobeys in situations where he could get hurt, or worse (like running away in a parking lot), I need him to listen. The day after the 8 punishments he actually had noticeably improved, but it seems to be a process. The little devil on his shoulder seems to have a louder voice.

James gets injured a lot. I am beginning to wonder when the child abuse complaints are going to start. James is SO accident prone! I don't know what to do about that one - he can fall and get hurt doing NOTHING unusual! He has several mosquito bites on his face right now, rash on his chin, arm and legs, and various bruises and scratches over his face and body. Anyone who knows us and James will know that these are nothing but self-inflicted. This kid can't run through a door without hitting it. He can't walk through the grass without tripping and scraping himself. He keeps us hopping with lots of kisses, the ice ready, the Polysporin within reach.

James makes us proud. James makes us so proud. He is very polite, and cheerful to most people. Yes, sometimes it would be better if he was a little more shy - but people seem to genuinely appreciate his friendly nature, and I like that. He's super smart, and can memorize things like crazy. His smarts never cease to amaze us. His imagination is great, and his memory is amazing!

James is the best gift God could have given us. I think I can say with a fair bit of honesty that I have not taken too many days with James for granted. I am SO often reminded just by looking at him of what a blessing and miracle he is. Sometimes I have found myself crying in my bed, thanking God for James and begging for his protection. I can't even think about what one day without James would be like... I couldn't handle it. I am excited to see James as a big brother, and though I know this may be a hard adjustment for him, it will be good for him. It never ceases to amaze me how well James just fits into our family. We couldn't have planned or tried to pick out a better kid. He's perfect for us. If only to have James in our lives, I would go through so many more losses. God is good, He is SO good to us!