Carson Anthony: 24 Months!

I can't believe my BABY is TWO.  The one who made me Mom.  The boy who loves me unconditionally.  The one who brings so much joy to my heart every single day.  

We had Carson's 2 year well visit on May 21st.  He weighed in at 28lbs 6oz (56%) and was 33.5" tall (41%).  The doctor said she's almost positive Carson is taller than that but he kept scrunching up when they tried to measure him.  He thought he was hilarious.  :)  The doctor said that Carson's speech already meets the 3 year goals because he is speaking in 4-5 word sentences.  It's crazy to think just 6 months ago I was concerned about his speech and considering calling early intervention!  Carson won't go back to the doctor for another well visit until he's 3 so she gave us some goals for this coming year.  

Carson's Goals for the Year

-Jumping with both feet off the ground simultaneously (he's SO close but usually gets on tip-toes or only one foot leaves the ground)

-Broad jumps by 3 years (jumping over an object)
-Balance on one foot for about 3 seconds by 3 years
-Draw a circle
*The doctor said since his speech is exceeding expectations we could practice colors and shapes.  Carson knows those so she said to practice letters.  He knows those too so we are now working on letters and reinforcing everything else.  I love that his brain is such a little sponge!

What Carson Loves Right Now: 

-Carson still loves balls and balloons.  Nick popped a balloon over a month ago and Carson STILL talks about it.  "Yeh-yo boon-uh pop it, Daddy!"  I have a big baggie of balloons that are left over from parties and whenever I need Carson to be entertained for a while I can get one out and blow it up.  He has so much fun!  Everyone always jokes about how many balls he has.  We have a basket for balls upstairs and downstairs.  He even takes balls to bed sometimes.  He's totally obsessed!  His favorite is most definitely basketball.  Nick recently installed a hoop in our driveway and Carson is totally obsessed!  He also has been known to take balls on our walks and shoot hoops at random peoples' houses in our neighborhood, haha!

-Carson loves giving kisses.  He LOVES kissing his little brother and he's getting much better about gentle kisses.  :)  He also learned how to give butterfly kisses and eskimo kisses and he does that a lot, too.  It's super adorable.

-Carson loves reading.  Obviously as a former teacher I already have a TON of books but I love adding to Carson's collection!  He takes books to bed for nap and bedtime and we read books throughout the day.  We also keep a stash of books in the car and diaper bag.  I love that he'll request books over electronic games and TV.  (Not to say we never watch TV or play with electronic toys because we totally do!)

-Carson also loves being outside!  The weather has been great lately and we've been out taking walks, riding his trike, playing with the water table, and so many other fun things.  It's going to be such a fun summer!

-Carson loves vehicles!  He loves watching out of our windows to see the "mail man truck", trash truck, ice cream truck, etc.  We took him to a "Touch a Truck" event the Friday before his birthday and he was in HEAVEN!  We saw tractors, fire trucks, a helicopter, police cars, an RV, a school bus, and so much more.  He still talks about it weeks later!

-Carson is getting much more opinionated about his favorite foods.  One day he'll love chicken and the next day he won't touch it!  You can almost always get him to eat any type of fruit, peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, and mac and cheese.  He's not a huge fan of veggies but seems to really like broccoli and corn.  He can now get up into his booster seat all on his own and buckle the straps.  Doe she even need me anymore?!  ;)

What I Love Right Now: I think my favorite thing about this age is that Carson can totally have a conversation with me.  It's so much fun!  I love hearing what's on his mind and it's also fun to hear him chattering away to himself in the backseat or in his room during nap.  He loves making us laugh and he is constantly narrating his life.  Here's an example of what you might here in our playroom.  "Uh oh, Carson fall down!  I'm ok.  Play basketball!  Kiss baby Mason!"  I love it, it cracks me up.  He also is great with his manners and almost always says please ("peeez") and thank you.  Although he has gotten a bit confused and combined thank you and your welcome so he'll say "Thank you, welcome!"  Silly boy!

Some of our Biggest Struggles: With Carson talking so much, he says no to a lot!  He also gets very upset anytime we have to come inside.  A lot of times I have to redirect and remind him that there are fun things inside too!  He throws tantrums about silly things like not being able to take a water cup to bed or having to put his toothbrush away.  It's SO hard for me not to laugh because it really is quite silly.  Usually the tantrums don't last long (thankfully) and redirection works most of the time.

Exciting Milestones & Physical Changes: Carson had his 2 year check up (stats at the beginning of the post).  He also got his 10th hair cut before turning 2!  Not only was it his 10th haircut, it was his first BIG BOY haircut!  I almost cried but at least hair grows back, right?  Plus, I was starting to feel bad that he was getting so hot and sweaty with his shaggy mop.  I think it's about time I learn how to cut little boys' hair!

-Carson also has started using the potty more!  We aren't actively potty training him yet, but he has started to ask for diaper changes and tell us before he has to go (or sometimes during).  He has gone #2 on the potty 3 times now and he asked to go each of those times!  We usually put him on before baths and we've started putting him on before nap/bed time too now.  A few times he has woken up from nap dry and we'll stick him right on the potty.  He's doing great but like I said, we aren't officially training yet, just letting him take the lead.  We were totally surprised with it so we weren't prepared and ended up giving him mini Oreos for his "prize".  I think I need to search around for a sticker chart or something a little healthier.  :)     

Here are some more of Carson's favorites at 2 years:

Books: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish ("fish book"), Thomas and the School Trip, Goodnight Thomas, Baby Beluga, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I Love You More, Guess How Much I Love You, Owl Babies, Tractor Peekaboo, Colors Peekaboo, What Can Pinky Hear?

TV Shows: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Super Why, The Goodnight Show ("Nina and Star")
Toys: puzzles, cars/trucks, train table, bubbles, blocks (mega bloks), Cozy Truck, basketball hoop, water table.

Things We're Looking Forward To: These past 2 years have FLOWN by.  I can't wait to see my baby boy explore, grow, develop, and learn in these coming years.  I hope time slows down a bit because I just want to soak it all up!  I also can't wait to see the bond he develops with his new little brother!