You've already seen photos of the cake, now to hear about the birthday boy. We are transitioning from the terrible twos to the terrific threes *fingers crossed*
He's 101 cm / 3 ft 4 in and 16.3 kg / 36 lbs and wears a size 26 / 9 shoe. At the end of the school year he was the tallest in his class and had the biggest feet.
Eating
He's still a decent eater, although he is easily distracted and will often say he's done just so he can play, but then we run into problems when he is in bed. He then realizes that he is hungry. I am so glad he likes fruit! The YES veggies are corn, green beans, beets occassionally, sweet potatoes, raw bell pepper, cauliflower and broccoli. The NO ones are mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes, along with kidney beans and onions. Carrots are inbetween. He loves his 'boterhammen' (untoasted toast). He would be happy to eat that every day, although it is always an issue with the crusts. His favorite spread is chocolate (kind of like his mommy in that area). He is allowed a cup of chocolate milk every morning. He doesn't seem to really like milk, so I don't force it, since I am also not a milk drinker, but, again, like me, he loves yogurt, so I figure he gets calcium that way. Overall I am happy with his eating. Only sometimes not with the fights we have to make him try a bite. I asked him when we went grocery shopping what we should get. He answered, "Apples, bananas...and chocolate."
Sleeping
Part of the reason this post is delayed is because around his birthday we were having sleeping issues. I am going to say they are done now. The last 2 weeks he has been taking naps again! And since we moved there have almost no fights (beside last night) to get him to stay in his bed and sleep. He doesn't wake up at night and normally is awake at 7:45. He goes down anywhere between 7:00 and 10:00 (depending on if he napped, if we are out and if he is behaving).
Potty Training
I think the worst is over! Since his birthday. Literally on the day itself, he started going #2 on the potty and going ALONE and SAYING that he needed to go ON TIME! It makes for one super happy mommy here. Not sure what happened today, because we had two poopy accidents, but for the last 3 weeks there have been maybe 1 or 2 accidents and I have been very brave and not put on any diapers when we were out and about, at church, visiting friends or when he was away 4 days (I sent the potty with him). I'm so proud of him! He totally gets it now. So my great advice (now that I can give it) is to NOT force it. We are working on nap time and I'm not worried about nights. Sometimes he's dry other mornings not.
Talking
Every day I say I need to write down what he says. He is really talking now. In general is he a quieter fellow. He likes to observe. I don't mind if he is a quieter kid. His teacher also said that at the end of the school year. I asked how it was with the 2 languages and she said she didn't notice any problem. She mentioned that he doesn't talk a lot, but he definately talks when he needs something.
I think it is so cute right now the words and phrases he is saying. He is also starting to use his imagination, so I hear him talking to his animals or cars. Often it's about Mama, Papa, Oria (Liora) or Hanne and Lise.
I noticed he often says a P for K. Petchup. Pamer. Poffee. I'm sure I've said it before, he understands both languages perfectly, but he speaks 95% Dutch. Hopefully speaking English will come...Yesterday I did notice he said 'cars' to my mom instead of 'autos.' I'm not sure if it was on purpose, coincidence or because he's now seen Cars 1001 times. He is into talking on Skype now. It is pretty cute. Yesterday he was saying whole sentences to my mom, but some I couldn't even understand.
He is starting to grasp concepts, which makes him really seem more grown up. For example, his daddy was putting on his pjs and they were too big, so we put other ones and he said, "It's better, yeah?" I was so surprised to hear him figure that out. He now always is saying what he likes or doesn't. "Ik vind het niet leuk" of "Het is leuk, huh?" He also gets if I go "grrr" that something is wrong and he says, "Wat is, Mama?"
And the questions have begun...right at a handy time with us doing some projects in the house. "Wat doe jij?" "Wat is dat?" " Repeat 10x..."What are you doing?" "What's that?" And then he likes to know where everyone is. Where's Liora? Where's Daddy? I am waiting fohttp://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/3-to-4-year-old-milestonesr "Why?"
Motorically
Advanced gross motor skills :) He is a pro on his balance bike, can pedal on some things, climbing stairs and slides is NOT a problem. I always laugh when I read that he should be able to throw and kick a ball. He mastered that before he could walk... At the indoor playgrounds he is always on the 6+ toys right along with his cousins. The fine motor skills I haven't noticed as much. He can turn the pages in a book no problem, but I never let him play with scissors, so I'm not sure how he is at that. He enjoys drawing and is just now starting to say what he is drawing.
Personality
Mateo is a happy fellow. Smiling even when he shouldn't be. He is a super social kid. LOVES to be around people. He really enjoys school and is kind of bored when he is home with just mommy and his sister. I am sometimes surprised at how good he does in new social situations. Last month we were in Germany and he went to Sunday school with his little friend. I asked him if he wanted to go and he said no, but I took him anyways and stepped out when they were praying. Apparently he was a perfect angel. I would have been scared as a little kid to do that. Yesterday he started a sport camp for 2 weeks and it was the same story.
Three things that are important for me for him are that he is
Respectful, Responsible, & Independent. The latter 2 are coming along ok. The last one maybe a little too well... To me we have a lot of work in the RESPECT corner. Respecting his parents, sister, toys, rules...the good news in this area is that apparently he behaves when he is with other people (when his parents, and especially his mother, are away).
We have an extremely stubborn little fellow on our hands. I've already read Dr. Dobson's
Raising a Strong-willed Child and I think I need to reread it. His strong will and jealousy issues make for many daily conflicts. Hopefully by next year we will be conflict free. Hahahaha
