I just wanted to take a second to share some routines/habits/traditions that my 2 year old has started.  It is amazing what creatures of habit 2yos can be.  I am trying to retrace to see how some of these got started but right now here are a few of his routines that he is really picky about.

Bedtime - He takes Lightning McQueen, Chick, the King and one other no named car to bed with him along with his Rocket from Little Einstein and a sippy cup of water to his crib.  If any of these are missing, he has me trained to go out and search for them.  Then we usually have to move the cat out of his crib and I put him in.  Then he orders me to pray (he folds his hands).  Then he says, "Mama, sing!"  If I sing anything other than the hymns "Take my life and let it be", he interrupts me.  Then I need to sing "Jesus Loves Me."  He sings along with me and does hand motions.  Then he stands up in his crib for a hug and a kiss.  Then he lays down and says "Blanket on."  Then I turn on the radio to the classic music station and he goes to sleep. 

Drinking milk - My little guy has never gotten used to drinking his milk straight out of the refrigerator.  I have lowered the amount of time in the microwave to only 10 seconds.  It seems to be more important to him that it has gone into the microwave than that it gets warm.  Then he had noticed me sneaking Benadryl into his milk a couple months ago when his nose was runny.  Well now, I at least have to feign that I am putting Benadryl in his cup! before he will drink it. 

Poopy diapers - Think this is a sign that he's ready for potty training?  When he has gone #2, he goes to the cupboard, gets a diaper and spreads it out on the floor, takes the wipes off the counter and then comes to get me and leads me over to the floor to change his diaper.  This reveals two things about being the 4th kid - 1)you never get to use an actual changing table like the first kid(we didn't even own one for kids 3&4) and 2)Mom is not interested in thinking about potty training you until you can competently pull your own pants on and off and we have a complete week where we don't have anywhere to go and can be in lockdown.  Maybe we will have a time like this before he leaves for college...

His favorite food is "roni and cheese" and he gives great hugs.  He is just such a joy to our family!

Blessings!

-J