Sawyer: 3.5

Happy half birthday to our Soy Bean!!! He is becoming such a little man (not really little) and is so spunky and smart. One big thing that has changed since his third birthday is he has been promoted to "Big Brother" and boy has he deserved it. He is such an amazing big bro and loves "his baby" so much. I can honestly say, every day with him is an adventure and I love our daily chats and snuggles. He is such a Mommy's boy!

He started preschool in the spring and is thriving. They have moved him into the pre-k group which is still in the same room but with older kids. Can't wait to see what new things he learns. 

Sawyer Stats

Height: 3 ft. 3 in.

Weight: 40 lbs.

Sleeping: still naps and is a great sleeper. Takes 2-3 hr naps every afternoon and usually is in bed by 8 pm. Lately with mom on maternity leave he will sleep until 7 a.m. (this is sleeping in for him)

Potty Training: 100% potty training in day since November and night since around May.

Favorite Foods: hasn't changed much...Turkey dogs, chicken nuggets, turkey/cheese roll-ups, pizza, lucky charms (we do Mom's Best), fruit snacks and loves his unique mix of half orange/half apple juice and his milk!

Favorite Books: He has so many favorites it is hard to name...but a few are Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Big Whoop, Anything Pete the Cat and a new favorite is Spot

Favorite Songs: He is discovering so many new songs and his choice of favorites is pretty hilarious. His current favorites are: Watch Me Whip by Silento, Geronimo by Sheppard, Buddy Holly by Weezer, and Elastic Heart by Sia

Favorite Toys: Pretty much the same....Thomas the Train, anything sports related (hockey, football, baseball), Lego's and of course pool toys.

Favorite Shows: Miles from Tomorrowland, Micky Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates. He also just started watching Reading Rainbow on Netflix and loves it.

Favorite Movies: Hasn't been watching movies as much but he recently discovered two movies he really likes; The Little Rascals and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!

Favorite Item of clothing: Loves his rain gear but if his new backpack counts, that would be a winner.

Favorite Activities: Still loves dance parties, going to the "baseball park" aka Dan Kinney, playing trains, reading books and playing the letter game on my phone. He is still playing hockey and is getting better every class. He loves to be in the kitchen with me and we have been cooking different things with me, recently we have done a cake and helping me make my first batch of kombucha.

picnic at school

built a robot

making a cake

amazing Big Brother

our little hockey star

Sawyer: 2.5 years

His look when I ask him to smile

I haven't posted a Sawyer update in a while so thought it was about time. I have to admit this the best and hardest age! I love how expressive and vocal he is, talks like he has all his life. The fits can be challenging but I have hope they are just a phase (we'll see). He is so sweet and caring and HILARIOUS, he constantly is making us laugh! He tells me I'm pretty every day and still loves to snuggle. 

Mommy's boy

HIS STATS

Weight: 33 pounds ( on his 2nd birthday he was 32 lbs. 8 oz. )

Height: 3 ft. (on his 2nd birthday he was 2 ft. 11 in.)

Eating: still big on snacks! His favorites are fruit snacks, lucky charms, hot dogs (turkey), chicken nuggets, frosty's, pancakes, sandwiches. He loves milk and apple juice! 

Sleeping: loves his sleep and still naps great. We put him to bed at 8:30 p.m. and if not woken, he sleeps till 7:00/7:30 a.m. Naps are usually 1.5-3 he's daily. Our night routine is still to pray, read a couple books ( favorite is cars and trucks and things and go) and sing a song in his rocker.

Clothing: 3T and 2T/3T in pants, size 8 shoes (he was in a size 6 on his 2nd birthday)

Diapers: size 6

Push-ups 

Playing: he loves all sports!! His personal favs are hockey and baseball. He is still in swimming lesson and is becoming a wonderful little swimmer, can even float on his back. His current favorite movies are Cars, Frozen, and The Sandlot. He has started learning to peddle his trike and has done it a few times by himself. 

Some handsome looking guys in the dugout

Talking: he says everything and it'd probably be easier to include a list of words he doesn't say, ha! I started keeping a journal of some of the funny, off-the-wall Sawyerisms (posted below).

Fielding on the Springfield Cards field 

Potty Training: doing awesome! At school he is goes almost every time on the potty and is even dry most of the time. At home, we are still struggling but he lets us know when he needs to go. 

He called it the "Dughouse"

Other Developments: he loves helping! Every time we are cleaning, he wants to help and he does a great job too. When John was out of town he was so helpful with the dogs, scooping the food and opening the door to let then out. Nice to have the extra hands :)

really liked the popcorn

Sawyer has quite the stut when he walks, I like to call it the "Sawyer Swag". His right arm sways at his side and he sort of hops. I videoed him the other night when we were at the ball park so I will never forget his adorable little strut.

SAWYERISMS

----------------------

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Sawyer: Bigger....I'm little now

----------------------

Sawyer: you picking me up daddy?

John: yes, mommy is going out with the girls

Sawyer: she send me a picture of the girls?

----------------------

Me: February 14 is valentines day, you'll want to remember that for when you have a lady in your life

Sawyer I have ladies in my life, mommy

--------------------

Me: Who's daddy's boss?

Sawyer camppaw Mike

Me: Who's mommy's boss?
Sawyer you don't need a boss mommy

----------------------

Me: I'm your mommy

Sawyer no, you're my sister 

Me: Well, what's daddy?

Sawyer my really awesome brother 

----------------------

MORE FROM MY MOM

----------------------

Sawyer: you're driving and I'm riding. I'm all by myself back here.

Grandma: yep you are back there and I'm up here

Sawyer: I'm being a very good boy. 

* They passed the car wash he went to with Grandpa and her one time and he told me, "there's the car wash.  you car dirty mawmaw?" and She agreed it was a bit dirty and he said "you gotta get a car wash. they say okay you can get a car wash?"  

* He asked where campaw was and She said he was at home. he asked, "what he doing?" and She said he might be swimming and Sawyer said, "no he not. he not have his swimming suit on yet."  :o) 

* Grandma asked who his best friend was at school and he said Aiden. She asked if he likes playing with Aiden and he said, "yes (pause)... he spits on people."  She said that's not very nice and asked if the teacher told Aiden to stop that and he said, "no she didn't." :o) 

Two's room update

Sawyer spent this last week transitioning into his new classroom, the Two's Room.
While this may not seem like a big deal, it involves a lot of changes. And of course, I like to document because I like to hold these moments dear.

First, new teachers: He definitely loves his new teachers but still is struggling not seeing his old teachers ( had a brief breakdown when he saw his other class across the room at chapel).

Second, new students: He was the oldest in the infant room and he definitely "ruled the roost". Now he is the youngest...so as you can imagine he has a whole new dynamic with those around him.

Third, new schedule: While the major things stay the same (meals + napping), there are many new activities for him to learn, like yoga and my personal favorite Potty Training!

Finally, Potty training: Yes, I already mentioned this but it is important and is worth emphasizing. Every hour they take them to the potty to "try" even if they are still in a diaper. They give me a full report of how he did that day. I am very HAPPY to announce he peed on the potty friday! He is even running to the potty by himself at home. While I know this is just the beginning, it gives me hope!

I have already noticed a huge change in his language. He is using more sentences versus one-word answers. We were at the store the other night and he wanted a toy while we were leaving. I said "Sawyer time to put it back", his response..."Well Buy It!" This is definitely new!

Here are some snapshots of his first full day in his new classroom.

When I came to pick him up, he looked very relaxed and at home

I love their class discussions on emotions

This just makes me laugh! 

Sawyer's cubby

As you can see from the right column, "T" means Try and the "P" at 4 pm means he Peed!

Ooh I like that: Kale Smoothie

Jokes on you Sawyer!

I am always trying to think of ways to incorporate veggies in an indiscreet way for Sawyer. He is going through a phase of judging food by its cover (lettuce looks like grass so it is yucky!) I decided to invent my own kale smoothie with some high nutrient dense ingredients to see if he would like it and to my surprise, he did. Looks like I was able to pull a fast one on our smart little guy so he can still get the fruits and vegetables he needs, score!
It may not look pretty but you could always add more blueberries to hide the green.

INGREDIENTS
(for 1 smoothie)
1 cup Baby Kale (cleaned, de-stemmed)
1 banana
1 cup blueberries
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup milk/almond milk/soy milk (your choice)

Looks so pretty!

DIRECTIONS
- put all ingredients in a blender and blend, easy peezy!

Enjoy!

Sawyer: 23 months

Who is 23 Months? This guy!

Sawyer is definitely ready to turn 2. From his massive vocabulary, terrible tantrums and constant need to ensure that everything he does is "his idea", I am now confident I understand why they are called "the terrible two's". And we still have 1 month left :) This was my most struggling month as a mother thus far. All my limits were tested (did I mention he punched a waitress?) But still at the end of each day, I would forget how bad it was because he knows how to show me love just as much as he knows how to test me. I think that is what makes a parent's job so hard. With a little kiss and an "I love you", it's like they can do no wrong.
I am sad that I only have 1 more update for his 2nd birthday and then I will retire from monthly Sawyer posts. I will most likely just update every few months or with big changes. I can not believe how fast this has gone and thanks to all our family and friends for keeping up with our little guy. Hope you have enjoyed our updates.
xoxo

STATS

Weight: 32.3 lbs., he actually stood on the scale

Height: 34 inches (estimate doesn't see Dr. until 2nd Bday)

Eating: Eating a lot less lately, sometimes doesn't even want dinner. His favorites right fruit snacks, animal crackers, pizza and hamburgers.

Sleeping: He has started to sleep in until 8:30/9 am on the weekends even though he still goes to bed at 7:30/8. Loving it!

Clothing: 2T  and some 3T in shirts. 2T in pants, size 7 shoes

Diapers: we went up to size 6 because of capacity :) they are a little big

watching videos with his animanls

Playing: Loves trains, puzzles and flash cards. Also has gotten a few stuffed animals he is especially fond of that he names (louie his cardinal, melman his giraffe, figgit his fixit felix doll, ralph, sally his dog, stewart his minion, elmo and bear ). He has become obsessed with certain youtube videos like "gangnam style", "what the fox say", "what the cards have" and "linsey sterling's crystallize". He just stairs and dances over and over again. He also loves anything art (drawing, painting, etc) or music (drums, guitar, piano, etc) related.

made this all on his own at school

When he was done he sat down, said "cheese, more"

Teething:  All his teeth are in waiting on those 2 year molars...yikes!

happy boy

Talking:  I have stopped keeping track because he says everything. Some of my favorite/cutest phrases he says are: "Oh Doughnut" for darnit, "love you too", "I don't like it", "bye bye friends".

Every Sunday he wakes up and asks to go to Gailey's to see the harpist and eat eggs. He also is able to tell us how old he is turning on his birthday. One of the most impressive things he did for me this  week was he counted to 10 on my fingers, almost completely by himself (I had to help a tad). I learned at the last family night that he knows most of his friend's parents by name and greets them every morning, so polite :)

loves taking pictures and saying "cheese"

Potty Training: still very interested but not going consistently. He did sit on the potty with his clothes on a couple weeks ago and go #2 and came and told us. So he gets the idea but we just need to work on removing his clothes first.

MORE PICS FROM OUR FUN WEEKEND AT THE PARK AND POOL

swinging with Kaiden

kisses for Kaiden

Pool time at the Ozark Community Center

Sawyer: 22 Months

22 Months!

Wow, Sawyer's 22 month birthday snuck up on me. I have been calling him 22 months for a while now because I feel like he is already 2. Everyday he inpresses me with something new, usually a new phrase that I have no idea where he learned. He is like a little sponge and we have to be very careful what we say around him!
Here is a video of how rowdy he has gotten when we play. A simple game with dad turns into him running around the house kicking, hitting and throwing things. We usually just let him go because the more we feed into it the worst it gets. Of course, we make always make sure he isn't doing anything harmful :)

STATS

Weight: 33 lbs. (estimate doesn't see Dr. until 2nd Bday)

Height: 34 inches (estimate doesn't see Dr. until 2nd Bday)

His favorite breakfast of Cheesy Eggs, Toast + Honey

Eating:  He is either a crazy good eater or the pickiest eater ever. I have seen him take down a whole hamburger and more or completely not want a single piece of food. His favorites right now are  eggs, toast, string cheese, fruit leather, bananas and hamburgers.

Sleeping: Great sleeper, sleeps 10-12 hours a night and naps anywhere from 1 - 3 hours a day.

This is a monitor shot of me catching him talking to Ralph and fixing his hair

Clothing: 2T in shirts + pants, size 7 shoes

Diapers: size 5

Pretending like this box is a boat with Ralph and Bear

Playing: He loves Tunnels, Puzzles and books. Most night all we do after school is John and I hold a big blanket and he hides under it like a tunnel. Then we read 3-4 books and he is ready for bed. He is awesome at puzzles and usual figures them out within a few minutes. He is starting to love to color too and at school they said his favorite is painting. 

Putting his stuffed animals to bed

Teething:  All his teeth are in waiting on those 2 year molars...yikes!

his little attitude is definitely showing in this pic

Tantrum, not so pretty!

Talking:  He is mastering the 2-3 words sentences, especially bossy statements like "Stop it" "Don't like it" and "No, move". He has gotten very good and telling us exactly what he wants. He knows me and John by our real names now too and even says "Sawyer Farris Hamra". He is quite the little singer too and knows the words to most of the songs we sing. I just love his little voice. I love how he says Christmas and it sounds like "Kiss-mas" and when he eats something he really likes he says "Mmm, good". Or how he preferes to say "again" instead of "more" when he wants you to do something over. He knows how to tell stories with just the important words. Like the other days, he noticed our dog faith had an accident in the kitchen and he came and got me and said "Kitchen...Faith...Poop" , I responded "Did Faith poop in the kitchen" and his answer "Yes, Mommy...Clean up...towel...throw...snow". Because he had seen me pick it up before and throw it in the backyard in the snow. So cute!

Potty Training: Has sat on the potty a few times this month but hasn't gone. We let him go without a diaper at night so it might force him to use the potty and he has had a few accidents. Surprisingly, it scares him when he goes and he cries. When he starts in the 2's room in February they have small potties to help work with him on potty training.

1st Movie Theater experience

Pottery with Trina

Other developments:  This month we tried two new things, his first movie at a theater and took him to paint pottery. Surprisingly he sat a whole hour watching Despicable Me 2 before he started getting antsy. He was even talking about the movie during, it is super cute when he says "Minions" and "Gru". Painting pottery went ok, was a little restless and he ended up like the toys better that the actually painting. We might wait to go back until next year. It was super fun though, Trina joined us and we painted a platter for Santa's Cookies.

Sawyer: 21 months

So handsome!

Another month down, another month closer to turning 2...which seems insane to me. Some days I think he is already two by the way he talks. This weekend we went to "Louis" as he calls it just him and I (John had to work) for my cousin's wedding. Oh lordy, is he a handful! I told John when I got back that this trip definitely made me appreciate him even more. I could never do it without him. Sawyer would just take off in a full sprint out of nowhere and it would take me sprinting to catch up with him. Add a dress and heels to it and it was almost impossible to keep tabs on him. I was thankful my mom and dad were there to help too. By the end of the night, I was sweating and exhausted. Luckily, he slept great at the hotel.

STATS

Weight: 32 lbs. 

Height: 33 inches

Eating:  Getting more picky. Favorite food is hamburgers and usually only wants that when we go out to eat. He also is obsessed with bananas, string cheese and pizza. Every morning on the way to school he has to have a string cheese.

Sleeping: Still a rock-star sleeper. Sleeps from 7:30/8:00 until 7:00 when I wake him for school

Clothing: 24 month- 2T in shirts and pants Size 6 shoes.

Diapers: size 5

Playing: Still infatuated with Wreck it Ralph, not only the movie but his plush toy. He takes it everywhere and even has him participate in whatever we are doing (gives him food, drinks, reads him stories, etc.). He loves to dance, run, play hockey in our living room and anything outside. He also likes the movie Madagascar but only after he has seen Ralph. He will sit still for long periods of time if you put a book in front of him, his favorites are "chicka chicka boom boom" and "There's a Wocket in my Pocket".  Rough-housing is another favorite, especially "tackling" dad. 

He loves to be outside!

Teething:  All his teeth are in!

Talking:  It's like we have another adult in the house, he can communicate so well and we talk back and forth having normal conversations. He has starting singing, which is adorable. He sings twinkle, twinkle, row your boat, Jesus loves me, happy birthday, take me out to the ballgame, deep and wide and Lord's Army. I am sure there are more but those are the ones I have heard. He has memorized most of Wreck it Ralph and says the lines before they come on. We have started with the alphabet and he recognized some of the letters and can say about 50% of the Alphabet Song. It's really cute when we point to the letter "M", he yells "Mike" for his grandpa.

Potty Training: Hasn't gone on the potty since last month, didn't show any interest. We didn't really give much of an effort but will start trying more as he gets closer to 2.

Other developments:  His tantrums weren't as bad this month but he is pushing a lot at school. He randomly will just walk up to a kid and push them...we are working on this. He has also learned to tattle, the other night Grandpa Engel was watching Hockey and he wanted to watch Ralph (surprise) so he went into the kitchen and told Grandma "Grandpa hockey...Ralph, find it" and Grandpa said "Do you want to watch Ralph?" and his response was "Yes, hand" and reached for her hand so she would come change it. It was pretty hilarious!

HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM OUR TRIP TO "Louis"

Mawmaw and Sawyer all dressed up

Grandpa helping get some water

Ralph even wore a bow tie

Here is what it actually looks like trying to get a photo with an almost 2 year old

dancing with cousin Chase

Found a pumpkin, why not dance with it?

Taking Ralph for a dance

Cleaning Mommy's face