Finn at Almost 2

Since I've been such a terrible Mommy about kiddo updates, I thought I'd get a few things written down about Finn at this age, quick before he turns 2! That doesn't even seem possible yet. Where did my little nugget baby man go? I just can't believe now HE is about to be the big brother. Crazy.

He's at the fun stage where he's been mostly non-verbal in his communication (more noises and gestures) but really truly understands the large majority of what we say to him and directions we give him- suddenly, new vocabulary is popping up all over the place.

cookie (he asks for them all day long)
crackie/cracker
that one!
ball
nigh night
shoesh
truck
car
thank you (dee doo)
please (which sounds more like 'boise')
yesh

Even that list just makes me laugh because they're all such boy words. His first sentence: "Want that cracker!" Spoken clear as day and hilarious. Other simple sentences:

"Want that one!"
"I poop."
"'Mere Loola!" (calling the dog, and he tries to snap his fingers!)

Sometimes he will babble a whole paragraph, but one or two words will randomly be recognizable enough to get what he is saying!

His favorite way to wake up is happy growling. He's a good sleeper, super easy to put to bed- just a kiss, his stuffed puppy and a big hug and he's ready to go to bed. No rocking and singing for this manly little man.

Favorite games right now are pushing/pulling anything. Trucks with a ball in them, our wagon outside, the toy shopping cart and stroller, even an empty rolling suitcase. Balls, dogs, and food are his favorite things. He LOVES watching the trains go by right across the street from our new house. He'll come running as soon as he hears the train whistle coming and will sit on the couch to see it out the big living room window.

Like his sister at this age, he loves having a pacifier. We try to keep it only in the crib for sleeping times and sometimes the car on longer trips, but if we let him, he'll hang onto it all day. We have a special basket we keep them in to teach him that they are only for "night night" and he cries so hard when we take it away in the morning to put it in the basket (especially if it is Sister who does the taking away).

He still stomps around like a tiny gorilla and it's so fun to see the differences between him and Kenna- he runs fast and hard with little tiny fists pumping, she runs on her tip toes like a ballerina fairy. Her run is barely audible like a little ninja, and his stomps can be heard across the house. He growls and grunts while playing, she sings and plays picnic with her dolls.

He is the pickiest eater ever. We get really excited when he actually eats a decent amount of what we're eating- otherwise he'd live on milk, bananas, chicken nuggets, and cookies. He doesn't like chocolate milk so far (neitherdid Kenna at first) and seems to be bothered by the coldness of ice cream). Because he's so picky, most of his food ends up getting played with and makes for messy meals. This is why bath time is after  dinner and before bed!

Speaking of baths, he loves them and will pull open the shower curtain asking "baf?" at random times during the day. He loves to splash around with big sister and play with the water coming out of the faucet.

A big stinker, but quick to say sorry and give big kisses of apology. Quick to forgive. Learning to obey.

Still comes to us in need of kisses for his owies, fixing something that broke, or to wipe his boogies (which he will hand to us on a tiny extended finger). He is just ALL boy.

His kisses and snuggles are few and far between, making them even more precious to his Momma's heart. When we do get them, usually when he's extra tired, they are extra sweet.

This little big man is a sweet and mischievous mess in every sense of the words. He just might have the sweetest baby cheeks on earth and we love him so much!