We had a wonderful and truely enjoyable Christmas. We spent a couple of days just across town with Ricky's side of the family. It was relaxing to be away from home and was so much fun to be around so much family. Derick had so much fun running around with his cousins. It was like having an instant playmate when he would wake up. Not to mention getting to share in the fun of playing with one another's presents. All three of the little boys are into Thomas, so it seemed there were little trains all around!
Santa stopped by our home a couple days later and when Derick awoke from his nap one afternoon he found a big gift wrapped with a note from Santa. He was so excited to rip off the paper and discover a Power Wheels Truck. He climbed inside and immediately pressed the gas and crashed into the coffee table (no damage done). So he and his daddy went outside for some driving lessons. It was fun to watch Ricky chase him around helping him try to control the steering wheel. It really only took a few times and now Derick is a little pro. He can drive from the backyard to the frontyard, through both gates and down around the driveway path without crashing or any assistance. Every afternoon he jumps in his truch and goes for a little drive around the yard.
The first day of the New Year we (along with my parents and sister) headed to Colorado to visit some friends. Derick really enjoyed the drive as it was like sitting in first class with mommy on one side, and nama on the other. He was snuggled in his lounger (plush car seat), watched a variety of movies, and was handed drink and snack on demand. No wonder the kid didn't sleep the entire 8 hour drive there nor the way home!! Derick also really enjoyed playing in the snow. Thankfully we were able to borrow some clothes, snowpants, and jacket from a cousin so we was well prepared for the cold. Derick really liked sledding and we would even make him carry his own sled up the little snowdrift hill to help wear him out sooner. He would slide down and before getting up, would immediately say, "I want to go again!" So up and down the hill he went over and over. That was the ONLY day he took a nap on our little vacation. Considering Derick had complete lack of sleep, was somewhat sick, and was completely off schedule---the kid was angelic if there is such a thing for a two year old. He was completely happy the entire time! I am sure being surrounded by people who off constant attention (thank you Nama) was a huge help!
Returning home I was sure I was going to pay the price, as is usually the case. Everyone goes back home and off to work and Derick would have some extremely rough days and just test my sometimes beyond my limit...I was not looking forward to it. Surprisingly and thankfully he continued with his angelic state. I think he has only had maybe two tantrums these last couple weeks which still astonishes me! He has been so incredibly sweet that I just can't seem to give him enough hugs and kiss his little chubby cheeks.
Since all has been going so well I though it would be a great time to introduce the big boy bed (thanks again to a cousin for letting us borrow) and see how things we go. Sunday night we set it up and rearranged his room to make room for both his crib and toddler bed...just in case he wasn't into it and would get out of bed I could still put him in baby jail (as my sister refers to his crib.) We were so happy that Derick was so excited about sleeping in his big boy bed with Thomas the Train that he has done wonderful these first few nights. I am not sure why, but he still asks for his baby crib during nap, so I have let him be in there... but I am hoping that soon we will have fully graduated to the big boy bed.
One other accomplishment, we had our first success doing #2 on the potty just tonight. He seems to think about it as it takes some effort. He looks at me and says, "Mama, I'm pushin." So I asked him if he wanted to go to the potty and he tells me..."I go potty, I get M&Ms." I agree and rush him in and set him down. A few minutes later, he earned his M&Ms. At this very moment, Derick is currently wearing big boy undies for the first time, as I want to see if he makes the mental connection of feeling wet..as those diapers are just so absorbadent that I don't think he really feels it. [This will be a work in progress I know, but we were ecstatic at the first stepping stone!] I am just not sure how his pants will stay up, as his skinny little butt needs the diaper to hold his pants on...hmmm
We continue to be amazed at Derick's verbal abilities. He is such a great talker for his age that it really is fun to hold conversations with him and listen to all he has to say. This week he has started to say, "I have an idea.." then proceeds to tell us what he is thinking about. He usually makes sure that when he talks about colors of things that he says it in both English and Spanish. And my personal favorite is when I bang my hand or get hurt, he tells me "You be okay mom. You be okay" then follows it with a kiss on my leg. Or if we are laying on the couch or bed, he pulls my head to his chest and tells me, "Come here mom, you be ok" and pats my head. Sooooo cute, I just love it. I know people say they love every stage their kids are in, but it's hard to imagine beating listening to a very vocal two year old form such long thoughts and sentences!
