27 months

Here are 27 fun things about Ian:
I have to admit that I borrowed this idea from Avie and Amelia's mom.

1. He doing a great job potty training. Although he is in Pull-Ups(because I am not brave enough to let him wear big boy underwear alone), he has done great going on the potty several times a day.

2. He still loves brushing his teeth. We brush at least 3 times a day. He usually finds a way to sneak in an extra brushing. Can't hate that though.

3. He is speaking in 6-7 word sentences.

4. He can sit through two Dr. Suess books. His favorites? Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat.

5. He is counting to 20.

6. He can identify his numbers to 10.

7. He can identify about half of the alphabet.

8. He wants to be completely independent. How come nobody warned me about this "terrible twos"? No, he's not terrible, he's just very opinionated. For example, when I try to help him do something he will say "No, no, Mama. This way."

9. He likes to take off his clothes feel the breeze. He thinks it's funny to strip down and run around the house.

10. He can spell his name. Now if only we can get him writing it too :)

11. He still is a very picky eater. I guess we'll manage.  We are actually giving him Pediasure twice a day to "fatten" him up in prep for surgery.

12. He still loves helping Mama cook and has gotten very good at mixing without spilling everything on the floor. He's still not quite a pro at breaking eggs, but he's getting better.

13. He loves to conduct "his band", i.e. Mama and the baby Mama watches. Luckily she is a good sport about him switching around instruments and barking directions.

14. He loves his puppies. Jake(the newest addition) has already outgrown our beagles, which unfortunately means his size and puppy excitement means he knocks Ian down a lot. Not-so-unfortunately, Ian could care less. He loves getting Jake's puppy kisses once he's down.

15. He is a pro sweeper. "Mama sweep?", he'll say, which means he wants to sweep too.

Okay, so maybe 27 things is a bit much, but cute concept, right?

The good, the bad, and the ugly

The good:
Ian has NO cavities! As many if you know, kids with clefts are 70% more likely to get cavities. This was amazing news. He went to the dentist a couple weeks ago and did such a great job; he sat in the cleaning chair without shedding any tears. The dentist said we were doing a great job and to continue to brush 3 times a day. He also said as long as we brush shortly after, there is no harm in Ian having sweets. And I was worried the whole time!

The bad:
Ian will be having either a pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty to "establish velopharyngeal competence". The procedure will be done on March 5 along with a second set of tubes. After a visit to the speech pathologist at Scottish Rite, the doctor decided it best for Ian's speech. We're, of course, hesitant because he's already been through two surgeries, but we hope it's the right choice in the long run. 


The ugly:

Okay, maybe not too ugly.

For MLK day we all went to the zoo. This was Ian's first trip. Of course he loved it! And we loved seeing his little face light up when he saw the animals.

Pretty flamingos.

 

The cutest lion there!

The cousins!

Morning conversation

Mama: Are you ready for breakfast?
Ian: [excitedly] Yea!
M: What would you like: Pop Tarts or cereal?
I: Cookies?
M: No, you can have Pop Tarts or cereal.
I: [swinging arm] Ahh, man!

Such a goober!