Our Growing Family: 63 Weeks!

I am beginning to notice a theme over the past 3 weeks-tantrums! We had yet another rough week around these parts with Landon trying to gain some independence and Logan and I trying to assert some basic rules and discipline. So far-it isn't going well. Our toddler Terrorist is a strong willed little man and doesn't like the word no or any rules we try to keep in place. He pushes and pushes until he gets what he wants or wears us down! My goal over the next few days is to read a few books regarding discipline techniques at this age and see what works. I am taking wise words of wisdom to help with early discipline at this age so we can ward off the epic screaming tantrums that have been occurring since last week!

Some of the more amusing reasons he has thrown tantrums lately include: Rusty not giving Landon his bone to give back to him, Lola not coming close enough to pet, not being able to open his toy box, the dump truck not 'rolling' properly, and me showing him the wrong flash card. I am not sure what is going on in his little mind right now, but apparently it is overloaded with new ideas and him not being able to express what he wants in words or signs are a challenge. We have FINALLY got him to sign more instead of screeching for more food; this has just been a major break through in the last few days with Logan not giving in until he does the sign. He just seems to get frustrated very quickly and I am hoping that once he gets a few more words he will figure out he doesn't need to get so angry if he doesn't get what he wants or do what he wants the first time!

In addition to tantrums, we can throw getting one year old molars into the mix! I can feel the top right molar for Landon, but it is just the corner. I am guessing teething pain has been bothering him as well and also contributing to his foul mood. We are still missing the two bottom teeth, all of his canine teeth, and molars. We have a long way to go with teeth...we only have 6 and a little corner!

Landon is in this hulk phase where he lifts and carries everything around. The other day he pushed his high chair all around the kitchen and that thing isn't light! He also carries large toys and lifts them up to me on the couch, it is rather amazing that he is so strong. As you can imagine they occasionally get dropped on his foot or he falls over trying to move it.

He is also getting into a climbing phase. He tries to climb on almost anything, so I know it will only be a matter of time before he learns to climb on the couches. So far he hasn't tried to climb out of his crib yet! He also knows how to open doors-lord help us. The other day at the model house in Wellington he just reached up opened the door and tried to go outside! So we always need to make sure that the door is locked!

We have been fairly busy, despite the tantrum throwing out in public. We have been doing our usual weekly music class, although next week is our last week until next fall! We also have joined Busch Gardens, tried out the beach, and went to the Circus over the weekend! Landon REALLY enjoyed the circus to my surprise and was content to just sit there, eat his snacks, and watch. He really liked all the dancing, lights, and music. He even made his dog sound when he saw the dogs!

Speaking of animal sounds-Landon can now do three animals. Dog sounds like uhh uhh sound, but not quite woof, but always consistent. We have a sheep sound-baaaah and also a snake sound-sssssthssssth. All very cute. We are also working on cat meowing and cows mooing. He can also touch his head, ears, nose, belly, and show us his tongue. We are now working on bottom, eyes, and toes! The number of things he learns in a week are amazing.

Landon has suddenly become very interested in reading books lately. Every night we read the same two books in his bath and lately he will continually bring me his same superhero book upstairs. No matter where I put his superhero book he will find it and bring it to me. Then we must read it no less than 5 times before we can MAYBE read another book.

Ok this is long enough-now time for all the pictures!