Life Lately...

With three weeks to go until my April 12th due date, life is about to get much, much busier.  So, before Baby Girl Layden joins our family, it is time for an update on our first (human) baby. First, I want to note that Andy and I just returned from our very first parent/teacher conference. At first, I felt a bit silly signing up for a conference; after all, what insight can Reid's teachers possibly give us since I  do not have any real concerns about his development? However, I quickly changed my mind and signed both Andy and myself up- I think I was the first parent to sign up, actually. I miss Reid so much while he is at school, and I will gladly soak in any bit of insight that I am provided regarding the life he leads at school. While I didn't get any groundbreaking information, it was nice to hear that Reid is "super bright" and that he plays well with all the kids, loves music time (duh), sings throughout the day, is a very good eater (duh), loves bicycling on the playground, is very independent, identifies snowmen as "Olaf," and is making strides with potty-training. In fact, his teachers (Ms. G, Ms. Erika) mentioned that the only time he has an accident in his pull-ups is after naptime when he is waiting for his turn to use the bathroom and the teachers are preparing for snacktime. Apparently, Reid is very concerned that he will not get a snack and finds it difficult to take the time to use the restroom or even wait to use the restroom when snack is being prepared. That's my boy! Also, Reid is very connected with his classmate, Jewels (or, as he calls her, "Jewelsie"), and the feeling is mutual.

Right now, Reid's favorite food is still fruit of any kind. He especially loves oranges, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries. One of his newer party tricks is peeling an orange and taking it apart himself. Every now and then, he will have a meltdown when he realizes he is unable to put the orange back together, but he is only 2.5 years old so I get it (sort of!). He also loves picking out cookies from our Peter Rabbit cookie jar, a special treat he sometimes receives when he has a successful potty situation (think #2). Anyone over the potty training talk yet?

As far as tv shows go, we really try to limit Reid's screentime in general, but we have been enjoying some weekend morning snuggle time in front of the tv lately. Reid's current favorites are Llama Llama, Daniel Tiger, Tayo ("Bus Tayo"), and an episode of Doc McStuffins that features Winnie the Pooh and friends. Reid loves books, too, and has been enjoying Dr. Seuss ("What Pet Should we Get?"), "Are You My Mother?," "Brown Bear Brown Bear," and "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site"- among others. Favorite songs include Jesus Loves Me, Don't Worry Be Happy, Just Can't Wait to Be King, Moana songs, You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle, and the Rainbow Song. Reid still loves his guitar and has told me numerous times that he is going to play guitar with his baby sister. One day, sweet boy...

Speaking of Baby Girl Layden, we have been talking to Reid about his baby sister, and he will kiss and talk to my baby bump ("Good morning, baby sissy"). He tells us he will rock her and she will be cute and little. He also plans to sing to her, play guitar with her, and share his balloon with her. He  wants to share his raisins and other snacks with her, too - I know we will have to intervene with some (most) of these activities for a while. Still, it is exciting for us to imagine Reid's connection with his little sister, and I am really looking forward to introducing our two little loves to one another soon.

Here are some pictures of "Life Lately" with our big boy:

Already excited about his baby sister (or excited about wearing a shirt with a bear on it...)

The Laydens took Sunrail to work/school - what a treat!

Mommy has really been enjoying her chats with Reid, usually on the way home from school. He loves pointing out the construction vehicles he sees, school buses, and telling me about his day (naming his friends, mostly).

Reid still talks about the Touch-a-Truck event he enjoyed with Olivia and Charlie about three weeks ago. Boy loves his trucks!

With the help of some warmer days and a pool heater, we enjoyed a few swims in our pool with out little shark.

Reid was captivated by all the animals (real or not) during our recent trip to the Sanford Zoo. He was especially intrigued by the river otters and watched a pair of them swim around for quite a long time. He also loved feeding some of the animals and riding the "choo choo train." We managed to get in two rides on the carousel, also, although one was a fail because he didn't get to sit on an animal.