Three-and-a-half

Our Owen is officially three-and-a-half!!  Time flies when you're having fun.  He is sweet, silly, cuddly, intelligent, hilarious and energetic!  He now weighs 37 lbs and stands 38" tall.  He is finally beginning to wear size 3T and is in size 8/9 shoes.  

His speech has recently taken off!  In fact, he has recently started asking lots of questions!  Pronunciation is still an issue and we are focusing specifically on the 's', 'f', 'r' 'm' and 'sh' sounds.  We took the pacifier completely away in January and that has helped a lot.  His favorite big sister is an excellent translator :)  He is definitely reserved but makes himself heard if need be!  He constantly surprises us with new words and phrases.  He has started to memorize songs, can recite the entire alphabet and can count to 10+!

Just in the past couple of weeks he has become fully potty trained!!!!  We stayed close to home for a few consecutive days and really worked on it.  With a little bribery assistance from a bucket of cheese balls and a lot of praise it was a success!  Just like it happened with his big sis, he finally decided that he was ready and hasn't looked back.

He still eats very little.  He usually enjoys yogurt, applesauce pouches, popcorn, peanut butter sandwiches, chips, rice, tortillas w/queso, french fries fruit cups and croutons.  That's usually just about IT.  He almost never tries new foods.  He recently requested (and finished!) a banana and an orange.  I.was.speechless!  We do make him try one bite of whatever we are having for dinner but he always spits it back out.  He still intakes two Pediasure drinks each day.  

He still sleeps through most nights but ends up in our bed (which is okay by me)!  He usually sleeps ten hours per night.  The day we took away his pacifier in January he stopped napping cold turkey. Oh boy!  It becomes rather obvious around mid afternoon that Owen needs his rest.  Temper tantrums and his strong will have definitely become more evident at age 3 ;)

He is still doing very well in school.  Some days he isn't very excited about going but he always has a great time with his friends once he gets there :)  He recently transitioned from the church nursery to Emma's Sunday School class and children's church.  He reminds us on the way to church that he is not a baby!

Some of Owen's favorite things include the color yellow, playing Wii, playing G I Joes & Barbies with his sister and being outdoors.  He especially loves picking flowers, chasing butterflies and blowing bubbles.  His favorite TV shows are Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Calliou and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  His favorite songs to sing are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Jesus Loves Me".    

"Popsicle kisses and big bear hugs,

Little red wagons and jars full of bugs,

Grass stains, football games, 

Lots of toys, oh the joys!!"

~Author Unknown