Growing a Little Schulze: Daniel is 2!

At Gibbs gardens with Mama while the girls
are away over spring break '17

Nov '16 - Aug '17

Daniel started preschool August 2017. He is in the wee 2's (late toddlers) class with Ms. Trish. He goes 2 mornings a week from 9-12. Then in January he stays until 1. Ellie's schedule is T/W/Th so they are both there on Wednesdays.

He enjoys going to school. He is very quiet there but plays well. His teacher tells us how smart he is because he understands directions and follows their routines very well. And during coloring if she offers to switch his crayon to a different color, he knows if she really gives him a different color or the same one. While some other kids don't notice if it's the same or not.

He's not as shy as Ellie but it still pretty quiet and cautious in an any new situation. At home, he confidently goes about his life. He is much more likely to try to get something for himself than the girls. He'll climb on the counter to retrieve a bowl or cereal bar for breakfast. He's content to play by himself and will do so happily while the girls are at school. Jeff and I joke that he would have been an excellent only child. He has a great love for vehicles of any kind. Trains and construction vehicles are a particular favorite. He always notices any 'ecka-baders' (excavators) on our way to school. When he went through that 'cranky and inconsolable after nap' phase, we discovered that YouTube videos of real trains would soothe him. Eventually he started requesting "watch trains" at all times of day so we had to phase it out again. His big sisters certainly have an influence on him too. He has been known to put on a princess dress or want clips and bows in his hair. He also loves books and music. He is often singing to himself. His favorites evolved over the year: - abcs, 'spider', 'eieiei-yo'. Wheels on the Bus was BIG for a long time before You Are Sunshine replaced it as the favorite.

He still loves to eat and can put a lot away. Breakfast is usually a multi course meal with cereal, cereal bar or oatmeal, with some combo of yogurt, eggs, cheese and fruit. He loves PBJ and isn't too crazy about deli sandwiches. He's no longer a big meat eater but loves beans.

He's a good sleeper. He dropped down to one nap around 14-15 months. He goes to bed with Ellie around 7:30 but may be awake for a while in his crib. He is content to play and sing to himself most of the time. Sometimes he's awake before 6:30 and other times he will sleep until 7:30. I try to keep him in bed until 7:15-7:30 so I can get Claire off to the bus without interruptions.

He had his first dentist appointment just before he turned 2. He wasn't thrilled with it but the dentist was a least able to look in his mouth during the crying.

When the girls aren't around he is a pretty content guy to hang out with. Jeff and I took him on a hike up to the dam and he did great. Jeff's parents to the girls on a trip over spring break and Daniel and I hung out here. We had a great trip to Gibb's gardens and he was happy to have the playroom all to himself.

By 2.5 he knows his colors and can rote count to 10.

Language:

Dere dey are

Can't!

Right hee-uh

Happy borthday

Cotton candy (Thomas look and find book) = candy pop

My blue, my pink

Funny anecdotes from Facebook:

You know your 2 year old is really a pain when he even tells Mickey Mouse "no want that!" Poor TV Mickey Mouse innocently choosing a mousekatool.

Daniel's crying in his crib well after I put him down so I go in to check in him. "What's the matter buddy? Do you need covers?"
As he scrambles to get up, blanket in hand, he says "need snuggle." So I pick him up and snuggle him beside the crib. He points his finger at the glider and says "in chair!"
Yes sir, tiny dictator! Let's go sit in the chair and snuggle. That's one demand I don't mind giving in to.

We are all in the car and the topic of the movie Cars 3 comes up.
Jeff says: Daniel do you like Lightning McQueen?
D: Yeah!
J: can you say ka-chow?
D: Chow!...
J: KA-chow
D: A chow! A chow, chow, chow!
J: How about 'I am speed!'
D: I am 'PEED! A chow, a chow!

Cue hilarious laughter

Driving by a construction site this morning....
Daniel: Look at him go!! Go eckabader! (Excavator)

Last night at dinner he had ‘mames in his doodles. (Edamame in his noodles). I LOVE that he calls them doodles.

Daniel has been singing a medley of songs as he plays this evening.
These include:
The Lord’s Prayer/Our Father...
Bad Company (by Five Finger Death Punch)
Twinkle, Twinkle little star
Itsy Bitsy Spider

Pictures: