Happy Halloween Party

Those are your words, not mine. You were SO excited for your Happy Halloween Party today, I could hardly get you to go to bed last night. I'm not sure how much you understood what a Halloween Party was, but I'm guessing you've been to enough birthday parties that you understood there would be kids and treats. Which there was.

Here's a few pictures from the party...

Not quite ready

So... we gave potty training a go this past weekend.

I'm not ashamed to say, you're still in diapers today.

I gave it my best effort, read half a dozen books, tried a few different things, and came to conclusion, this just isn't the right time.

I was grateful that it was pretty obvious that you weren't going to understand it, since it was a fairly stressful couple of days for the both of us. We started on a Friday, and you could just see it in your face when you woke up on Saturday and we were still 'talking potty' that you weren't thrilled.

You did have a few successes, but I think they scared you, more than made you excited. Your dad and I decided that you're just to verbal for your own good. You have a great memory and love learning and saying new words, which made us think you actually understood a bit more than you do.

So, for now, we're content with the fact that you know the entire alphabet, learn new words and get better at pronouncing your words every day, can count to ten, and you know most of your colors. I think we're going to try and kick you of your morning bottle habit instead. You're going to be a little upset, since its so much apart of our routine, but I think it's time for that step forward at least.

You're so much fun right now, by the way. Grandma and Grandpa Hardcastle came over for dinner last night and you were just so excited to see them. You tried to get Grandma to take you home to her house, and we probably would have let her, but she had to work today.

Sometimes I can't believe you're not actually two years old yet, you're just so big and smart. I'm excited (and just a little nervous) to see how things change in the next couple of months, baby number 2 is due in 10 weeks now). But for now, I'm happy that it's just the two of us (and dad).

At your cousin Nolan's first birthday party. You loved all of the yummy treats your aunt Shondel made and the pinata!

Pinata from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

ABC's

You're almost 22 months old. Not that I usually tell people that, I've given up on how many months you are, I usually refer to you as my two year old, or that you'll be two in November.

You love corn on the cob

You just love life right now and love learning new things. I think the few tv shows you like watching have really paid off, because you can now recognize ALL of your letters, and can count to 10 with a bit of help. We really didn't even teach you that, I'm thinking Super Why and Sesame Street did most of it, but now we work on it. We actually don't have a choice, you LOVE picking out letters, even when we're driving in the car. You have your 'favorite letters', like B, O, P, Q, and Y, but you know all of them.

With Gordon at the cabin

Your love of buttons hasn't diminished at all. In fact, you insist on opening and closing the garage door, you've learned how to push the buttons on the dishwasher (which drives me CRAZY) and still can't stay away from mom's computer.

Family portrait on a dinosaur

I think we might try toilet training at the end of the month. I'm not sure you're quite ready, but you've shown a few signs that you might be ready, and it's very appealing to try it before you're really in your 'terrible twos'. We're working on the new vocabulary you'll need, and reading a few books for some ideas. With a bit of luck, we might have you out of diapers (at least during the day) before the baby comes. But if not, we'll give it a go sometime next year.

With Grandpa Hardcastle at the Dinosaur Park

Some of your other favorite things to say is "What happened?" I need to get this on a video, because it sounds so cute, except that you say it ALL of the time. If you fall, if something else falls, if something looks different or wrong, if something happens on the tv. It's a question we get at LEAST 100 times a day.

You also love "Hyrum's turn", and you really understand what it means too. Mama's turn, Hyrum's turn, Daddy's turn... even when you're playing with other kids, you try to get their toy by saying it's "Hyrum's turn".

Big Matt at the Dinosaur Park

Speaking of other kids, you've done great in nursery ever since we stopped being out of town so much during the summer. The last two weeks I've helped in there because one of the nursery leaders hasn't been there, but even before that, you'll cry for a minute or two, and then I guess you do great.

You've also moved to a Big Boy bed. Well, an even Bigger Boy Bed and a new room. I haven't taken any pictures because the move happened a little sooner than I had planned (thanks to your dad) and I'd like to decorate it just a bit and get some new sheets to go with the Red Sox theme I have planned. Hopefully soon.

With Grandma Lafeen in her backyard.

I think that's all for now. I'm excited for Halloween and your second birthday, Christmas, and of course, your new baby brother or sister. I'm sure this fall/winter will go by quickly for the Lafeens.

Your new favorite game, Hiding.

What our life is like...

Hi Buddy from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

21 months

I feel like I've posted quite a bit lately, mostly because you've been sick and accident prone.

But, ever since you started feeling better from the stomach bug, I can't believe how much fun you've been. I thought that was worth documenting.

You've started putting 2 words together, and your language is becoming quite possessive. (You haven't learned this trait yet, although I'm sure it will follow shortly, right now you're still great with sharing and not minding when other kids take your stuff).

Everything is "Mom's pants, Dad's phone, Hyrum's house", etc. You ask to go to Laila's house, drink your Elmo juice (a sippy cup with Elmo on the side), and use Grandma's water (Grandma left her water bottle in our car).

Carb-loading and hyrdrating before your big race.

You still love climbing and really enjoy climbing on me. I'm sure you don't know why you're calling your mom's stomach a baby, but you do it often now. We keep asking you if you're having a baby sister or brother, but you're not letting on if you know already.




You can also count to 10, with some help. If we start you out with 1, you say every other number all the way up to 10. Sometimes we can get you to say a couple of numbers in row, but you prefer every other one. We have NO idea where you picked it up either, it wasn't something I've been working with you on. I guess all of the hours of watching Sesame Street while you were sick must have done some good.



We went to the zoo yesterday with Grandma Hardcastle and you couldn't have been more excited. You love seeing animals -either at the zoo or Wheeler Farm, which we go to a lot too.

On the merry-go-round with Grandma at the Zoo, and watching a goat at Wheeler Farm.

It's been just me and you this week (dad has been gone to a training for the 2nd week this month), but it's gone a lot smoother than the last time he was gone. I'm sure it's because you're happy and healthy and you're back to taking naps -all things that your mom appreciates. I actually get a break at the end of next week, and dad get's you all to himself for a day a half while I have a girls weekend. I hope you're just as happy with dad that you've been with me.

We have to get your staples out of your head today, which I'm not looking forward to, but I'll be glad to have them gone. Plus, we'll finally be able to go swimming again next week.