Riley: Two Years, Three Months

Riley...

... Sleeps face-down, with one arm over his monkey and over his Wally Bear. The blanket must cover both animals and him up to their necks. It MUST.

... Hits.

... Says he's sorry by gently petting his victim.
... Repeats words in a whisper.

... Is obsessed with trains, planes, cars, trucks, boats, etc.

... Likes to sing and can mumble along to "Wheels on the Bus," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "You Are My Sunshine," "Three Little Birds" and "ABCs."

... Has "Brown Bear" and "Goodnight Moon" memorized.

... Will sometimes disappear into his room, where he turns on the desk light, sits in the rocking chair and reads books to himself.

... Demands "bu ce" (butt cream) and "powda" before his diaper closes.

... Sits on both the big and little potties, but doesn't do anything in them.

... Drools quite a bit still and still puts his toys and fingers in his mouth.

... Does and says anything that Holden does or says.

... Takes his time at meals then often refuses to leave the table without a tantrum.

... Shrieks when he laughs, which he does a lot.

... Sticks his bottom lip out really far when he's pouting.

... Is defiant.

... Runs around the house in his pajamas to get "one more kiss" from Holden and whichever parent isn't putting him to bed.

... Has a toothbrushing routine: Stands on the stool, holds the toothbrush under the water, turns the light on the toothbrush, holds the toothpaste cap while we put paste on the brush, helps put the cap back on, MUST hold the toothpaste during the toothbrushing, now willingly relinquishes the brush when the light goes off after a minute, says, "Aaaaahhhhh" while we brush his teeth, insists we brush his tongue and end the experience with a "boop" on his nose with the toothbrush. Everytime.

... Puts his arms around us and his head on our shoulders when we lift him out of his crib in the morning. He stays surprising still in this cuddle, sometimes for a couple minutes.

... Likes to cuddle even more after naps, and will stay on our laps for awhile, along with Wally Bear, monkey and his blanket.

... Climbs into the car by himself, but has to be hurried into his carseat. Once there, he buckles his top buckle.

... Throws wicked tantrums, but comes out of them when offered a distraction.

... Still rubs his eyes vigorously with his fists when he's tired.

... Doesn't like getting his haircut.

... Is soft.

... Gets "sad faces" on his daily report card for not listening to his teachers, sitting during circle time or being nice to his friends.

... Pretends he's eating something and says, "Nom, nom, nom."

... Pronounces Holden as "Dowmen."

... Will say, "Dowmen! Nuff!" when Holden is making a lot of noise.

... Says, "less" for yes and "la" for yeah.

... Answers, "Wha?" when you call his name.

... Begins every sentence with, "Mommy!" "Daddy!" or "Dowmen!" just to make sure he has our attention.

... Considers a conversation incomplete until someone repeats back what he just said - which leads to wicked temper tantrums when we don't understand what he said and fail miserably at guessing.

... Throws all his animals and blankets out of his crib when he wakes up.

... Loses the privilege of utensils at most meals after repeatedly banging them on the table or throwing them on the floor.

... Points out everything he sees while driving in the car or going for a walk, often yelling, "Look!"

... Says, "Dowmen? Kaaaay?" when Holden is crying.
... Makes up for his naughty toddler ways with a loving and happy heart.