The Joy of Being a Toddler

The joy of being a

TODDLER

Bundle of energy

Full speed ahead

No, no, no, time out, getting bigger

Bath time, storybooks, naptime,

I can do it, talking up a storm

I found this description of a toddler a few months ago, but didn't realize how this is the perfect description of Cohen until recently. Our crazy boy is non-stop energy. In church last week, he got away from me and was crawling down the row in front of me. Before the people in the row could grab him, he had zoomed away! The guy turned around to us and said, "Man, he is fast!" This is a comment we get daily from people! Cohen's favorite activity is to crawl and walk circles around the family room before bed time. He loves to play peek-a-boo around the couch to get your attention. His energy keeps him going until he finally runs out of batteries. At this point, he finds Tigger and goes to the kitchen for his bottle. That is our cue that he is no longer a bundle of energy and needs to charge up his batteries for the next fun day.

Full speed ahead is a great description of his actions. He is has no fear. When he is on our bed or the patio, he is like a freight train coming through. The edge doesn't even phase him as he goes tumbling over it.

No, no, no is something he learned at a young age thanks to my mom! She would always tell him, "Cohen, no, no, no!" A few months ago, Cohen learned to wiggle is finger and say this back to her. It is pretty funny to watch. He has even got to the point where he does something naughty, turns around, and wiggles his finger saying, "No, no, no" to me.

Time out has been used many of times at the ball park. It doesn't work too well at our house yet, but putting him in the stroller, strapped in saved us through all the ball games we went to this Spring. He wasn't necessarily in real time out in the stroller, but it would give us a break from chasing him!

Getting bigger makes me happy and sad at the same time. I love seeing him grow and learn new things. Tyler and I get so excited when he walks 5 or 6 steps, throws or hits the ball, gives us kisses, goes to the Jesus statue and says, "Jesus", and all the other things he does daily! I also get sad thinking how fast this one year went by, but I try not to focus on that part as much and look at his growing up as an adventure for all of us!

Can I say I love bath time? This has always been one of my favorite things to do each night. Cohen loves it and doesn't like when it is time to get out. Lately, bath time has turned into hide-and-seek. He grabs the curtain and buries his head in it. I'm always rewarded with a huge smile and laugh after I find him.

Storybooks is something Cohen has tons of. I think the teacher in me is coming out. I love getting Cohen new books. Usually Cohen has way too much energy to sit still to read a book, but every once in a while I can convince him to read a book with me. I have been working on letting Cohen have two choices for things we do. The only problem with this is he seems to always see the Christmas Mickey Mouse Music book and wants that option. Unfortunately, this is the least likely book I want him to choose. I am so tired of hearing Christmas songs in the summer! He plays them over and over again. He gets this trait from his Grandma Pat and I think I will send this book over to there house for them to enjoy together!

Naptime is my favorite time! This is the time I get the house cleaned, dinner cooked, yard work done, and my blog up-to-date. Yes! Naptime is happening as I write. I thought being off for the summer meant I would have more time to do these things, but I have found that isn't the case. Cohen keeps us all way too busy so naptime is a must at our house!

I can do it! I found actions speak louder than words in this case. Cohen has my drive for things. When he falls down, he gets right back up and tries it again. He is very persistent and doesn't like when he can't figure something out. Last night, we were out doing yard work. As I am shoveling, I see Cohen dragging the broom to the back yard. At first, I couldn't figure out what he was doing, but then I realized he wanted to climb on the back steps. Instead of leaving the broom (which he thinks is a big bat), he drags it with him. I took the broom away at first thinking it would be easier to climb the stairs without it. Of course, I was wrong; he wouldn't think of leaving his broom behind. He crawled back to where I took the broom and dragged it back to the stairs. Eventually, he made it to the stairs with the broom.

Talking up a storm is a perfect description of our little guy. Cohen gets his talking from one of us, but I am not sure which one. He is a non-stop talker. His favorite thing to do is to put the phone to his ear and jabber. I am surprised that he knows how to talk on the phone because I am positive he didn't learn this from me. Special Agent Oso or Mickey must do this a lot on their show! Cohen has always been a talker and an entertainer. He loves the attention he gets from performing for people. I am curious to see if he will be like this when he gets older.