Happy Birthday Andrew!

Andrew is three years old today! When I look back over the year, it amazes me to see how much he has grown up.


Andrew is a happy, spunky little guy. As his teacher told me the other day (when talking about Andrew and his friends), "you have to keep your eye on him." Very true. He is a little sneaky and funny and finds ways to seek out trouble. For example, jumping off furniture because he is 'flying' or making sticks into swords to fight the dragon. Creative, yes. Trouble, oh yes. He really enjoys laughing and making people laugh. Another teacher told me about how they were in line to come in from outside and Andrew was just dancing, really shaking his bottom and getting down. Music, nope. Just happy to be outside and was expressing himself through dance, I guess! His laugh is contagious. He will try to make jokes (at a three year old level) and then just laugh, a good belly laugh. You can't help but laugh with him.

Innocent? Yeah right...

Jan 24...today. Just an example of his 'creativity'
Unattended Andrew + stamp pad

If we don't stay in his room while he falls asleep, this is what happens.
Fell asleep in the Tonka Truck

Andrew absolutely loves school. He started in May at 2 yrs and 4 months. A little earlier than most US kids start school, but here they start preschool at two. Andrew was ready at two, but it took me a few months to get used to the idea. Katie goes 5 days per week and every morning we took Katie to school, he wanted to go too. He now goes 3 days per week and still wants to go everyday! When he wakes up one of his first questions is: " do I have school today?" A negative answer usually ends in whining and pouting followed by, "what are we going to do fun today?" He has a lot of friends at school. His favorite thing to do is paint and eat snack.

He loves to read books. His favorites at the moment are Richard Scarey's Cars and Trucks and Things that Go and Smash and Crash by Scieszka. They go in phases that typically last a couple weeks. Same books every night...Argh. Glad we got a few new books for his birthday!

He can recognize his name in print. He (finally) knows all of his colors. For the longest time I was convinced that he was red/green colorblind but, honestly, I just don't think he could be bothered to learn them. He still confuses orange and yellow from time to time still but much progress has been made!

He is 95% potty trained. Over Christmas break, he decided on his own to use the toilet. He hasn't has an accident in days, but he cannot master the #2's. He insists on hiding from me which results in yet another pair of underpants in the trash bin. So far my approach of "oh well, there goes your favorite walle underwear" isn't working...he just cant be bothered.

He still loves to climb. At two years 1 month, he climbed out of the pack and play. At two years 3 months, he climbed out of the crib and has been in a toddler bed since. He can now climb any play structure and usually goes to the top. Sometimes so far in the rope type climbing structures that his big sister (or mother) has to go and rescue him! And, no gate can stop him!

Silly pose

He is the best cuddle-bug in the world. He just sinks right into you. And, when he hugs, they are the best. Included in his hugs are the hand patting you on the top of your shoulder. They make me melt! He is an empathetic little boy. When Katie is in trouble or someone gets hurt, he is the first to ask if you are OK and give you a hug. The other day I hit my shin on the open dishwasher door. Ouch! He very kindly asked if I was OK and then asked if I wanted a hug. He put his arms out to take me in. What a love.

He is 35 1/2 inches tall and 27.4 lbs. I dont know where that puts him on the US scale, but we compared this to Katie and she was the same height and 25 lbs at three.

Pictures of his Lightening McQueen Party to come soon!

How did I go from this?....

January 24, 2008

...to this? check our silly boy! THREE YEARS OLD!