EVERYTHING ERVICK: Celebrating With Ice Cream

My oldest baby turned 2.5 yesterday and we celebrated with ice cream. These past 6 months have just flown by with so much change in our lives. New baby brother, new house, new city, new school, and Austin handled it all with ease. He is the best big brother to Landon and Landon thinks he is the coolest kid on the block. He watches his brother wiz around the room because Austin's favorite thing to do is run and chase. When Austin isn't running he is usually watching one of his favorite movies which are Shrek, Madagascar, and Mickey or he is playing with his puzzles or play doh. Two mornings a week Austin goes to his new preschool at the church down the street and the teachers say he loves it. His class is 7 girls and 2 boys so we are trying to teach Austin how to be a bit more gentle. Not always easy with a 2.5 year old boy. His favorite thing to do at school is sing and dance. The teachers say he has the best smile and is always happy. He has made us a few pictures and even made us an invitation for his teddy bear picnic at school this month. Apparently he is pretty quiet at school which is surprising because at home there is rarely a silent moment. The kid is nonstop talking! The things that come out of his mouth are hilarious. With talking more also comes opinions and outbursts and Austin has his fair share of moments in time out but I think that's normal for his age. Nobody is perfect but we have to set boundaries somewhere. Luckily Austin is a good boy 95% of the time. He loves his family so much and it's awesome to see how happy we make him. It makes me feel like we are doing something right. Another thing Austin loves is food! The kid can eat! He honestly is non stop snacking all day and then also eats his meals. I don't know where he puts it because he is really getting tall and thin. I guess he burns it off with all his activity. Some of his favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, fruit, apple sauce, hot dogs, Mac and cheese, ice cream, cupcakes, pancakes, carrots, and yogurt. To be honest the only thing I can think that he really doesn't like are olives. Austin is still sleeping like a champ and is taking a 2-3 hour nap each day. He is still in his crib, but we have the big boy bed in his room and we are hoping it will entice him to make the switch. He loves to read books on it before bed with mama and dada. He calls it his big boy bed and he is very proud of it. Austin also still has his pacifier which he calls his afi. He started calling it an afi when he was younger and couldn't say paci and it just stuck. To be honest I have really debated taking it away but I feel bad and he only uses it when he sleeps. We will get there eventually. I guarantee he won't go to college with them ha! Potty training is coming up this summer since its a requirement for preschool next year. I haven't figured out my game plan yet, but I am sure some sweet treats will help entice my sugar loving boy. I feel so blessed that I get to spend everyday with Austin. I know I won't get to stay home forever and I will eventually have to go back to work, but he makes me so happy. I don't know if we got lucky or if we are doing something right, but we got a good one. Thanks for making these the best 2.5 years of my life Austin.

Height 37 inches

Weight 35 lbs