2 years + 4 months

 

Lincoln is more "two" than ever.  He is now starting to throw tantrums that rival those of Emily in the past.  Thankfully, most of them occur at home--usually at mealtime.  He is often particular about how the mealtime prayer should go--who goes in what order and for how long.  He often wants to continue to hold hands and pray throughout the meal.  His "prayers" still mostly consist of mumbling, but you can occasionally recognize some words and names.

The words "Mine" and "No" have become more predominant in Lincoln's daily vocabulary.  His go-to phrase is, "Hi, Mommy!" or "Hi, Daddy!" whether he is sad, happy or guilty about something.  If you don't immediately respond to what he wants he has started manipulating you physically, such as pulling your hand to get up and walk into another room, or touching your mouth and saying, "Read!" when you start day-dreaming during book time or covering your mouth when he wants you to stop talking or singing.  My current favorite words to hear him say are "chocolate cereal" which comes out more like "cah-ket see-yee-yahl".

Lincoln has started to recognize that there are letters/words in books, although he doesn't know any of them specifically.  He is currently in love with the "Lift and Look" series from Usborne.  We have had several of them home from the library in the last month.  I'd consider purchasing one or two, but honestly, I'm very glad to bring them back after a week!  We've been fortunate to be the first ones to check out two of them, which is huge when it comes to lift-the-flap books from the public library.


Lincoln continues his love affair with any kind of vehicle/wheels.  Most pieces of construction equipment with any kind of bucket are termed "diggers" regardless of their proper name.  He has been fascinated by the construction along 4th Street SW in Waverly all summer and now the beginning of the exit ramp intersection by Janesville.

With the cooler weather, we have switched over to footed-sleepers at night.  Lincoln absolutely loves his new fire truck jammies.  For some reason, though, he giggles like you're tickling him to death whenever you zip up the zipper even if you're not remotely close to actually touching him anywhere.  He also knows how to escape from them (i.e. strip down to just his diaper).

We are in a tough transition for clothes in general.  Size 18 months is a little too tight or short, but 24 month/2T are still pretty big--especially pants.  In this month's picture Lincoln is sporting his new 2T skinny jeans from Old Navy with the adjustable waist cinched in as far as it can go.  Anything that is just plain elastic pretty much falls off of him, besides being so long he almost trips.  I've been quickly reminded how undesirable long-sleeve shirts are when it comes to a toddler eating.  Lincoln seems to be doing a pretty good job of leaving socks and shoes on considering the fact he literally has not worn socks since May, but he always thinks he has to take them off while eating at the table and usually places them on the table after doing so. :op