Austin: My Little Threenager

Well it's almost been 6 months since Austin turned 3 so I figure it's time for another update.  These kids change so quickly and since I can barely remember what I did last week, I think it's a good idea to document stuff.  Last week I was looking through pictures on my computer and I noticed how much Austin is changing into a little boy.  He doesn't have as much of a baby face anymore and he speaks to me like he is little adult half of the time.  Where did my baby go?!?!  I have heard from friends that 2.5 years old through 3.5 years old can be a difficult time.  There is a reason they are called "threenagers".  Strong opinions and meltdowns were almost a daily occurrence for awhile around here.  A battle of wills I guess. Jeff and I both were getting frustrated and we didn't know what to do.  We tried every kind of discipline in the book and nothing seemed to work.  Well folks just as everything else it was just a phase and I think we are coming out of it now.  While it was a struggle at times we actually learned a lot about Austin.  He is strong willed, but also very sensitive and loving.  I am stubborn and so I know the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  We learned that yelling doesn't work for Austin.  After trial and error we learned that time outs, counting to three/takeaway, and hugs work wonders when things get crazy.  Now that we seem to be coming out of that "oh so delightful" phase, I feel like my sweet loving boy is back.  Austin loves being with his family and friends.  He is just a fun loving guy who likes to play and is all boy.  Him and Landon are together all day every day and they love each other to death.  They have their occasional spats over toys, but Austin always looks out for Landon.  Landon thinks Austin is the coolest thing since sliced bread and wants to do everything Austin does.  We believe Landon thinks he is also 3 years old.  It honestly makes me beyond happy to think about the bond that those two have.  

All About Austin:

• Toys:  Favorites are by far Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Donatello and Dogpound), puzzles, trains, dragons, play kitchen.  
• Movies:  Toy Story, Calliou, Bernstein Bears, How to Train Your Dragon, Monsters University.
• Books:  TMNT, Bernstein Bears, Calliou, Dear Zoo.
• Adventures:  Austin's favorite adventures are the bounce house, the mall playground, school, play dates, birthday parties, trips to target, the gym, Sunday school, and most recently swim lessons.   We look forward to getting outside once the weather is warmer.  
• School:  At the end of 2013 Austin went through a phase where he didn't want to go to school.  Luckily now he is back to liking it again.  We bumped him up a grade in preschool so he is one of the youngest in the class, but he is doing fine.  His favorite part about school is show and tell.  His teacher, Ms Jacobs, says that he really lights up and shows his personality during this portion of class.  The rest of the time he is pretty shy which is crazy because he surely isn't like that at home.  He has two and a half more years left of preschool and then off to kindergarten.  I am so not ready for that yet.
• Food:  He is a little more picky then he used to be, but we can usually convince him to eat most things.  I think he is on a growth spurt, because the kid never stops eating!  Every night after dinner Austin and Landon have ice cream.  One gets the scoop from the drawer and the other gets the ice cream from the freezer.  It's really cute.
• Sleep:  Austin is still taking a "rest time" or a nap everyday.  He needs it and mommy and daddy need it.  We limit the time so that he will sleep at night.  He goes to bed most nights around 8-8:30pm (although he falls asleep around 9pm) and wakes around 7:30am.  He is an Ervick for sure and would rather stay up late and sleep in.  We have quite a routine before bed time, but I think we all love it.  It starts with Dad giving the boys a bath together every night which results in lots of loud squeals and splashing.  Then we all read books to Landon and he goes to bed.  Austin gets some alone time with us.  Jeff reads Austin a book or two and then I come in to tell him a "Connor Story" and sing songs.  Its nice to have this one on one time with my oldest boy.