For one thing, we've been more adventurous as a family. At the beginning of the month we went boating with the Pattersons and had a BLAST. Atticus was so brave and went on a tube for his first time. Dane and I both got to try wake surfing. It had been too long!
Atticus has found some pretty creative ways to play with his baby brother. He still has a LOT of angry, selfish moments (and Hinckley really seems to enjoy getting a rise out of him- yikes!) but it's so fun to see how much they love each other.
Hinckley got three teeth (#5, 6 and 7) between September 1st and 6th. At the beginning of the month we noticed that he holds his mouth with an underbite the majority of the time. It makes for some pretty adorable smiles and a cute, intense face when he holds objects as tight as he can and starts shaking. He has such a strong grip!
Our title ("Big gulps") comes from his cute, very audible gulps. The kid drinks with a whole lot of gusto.
On Sept. 18th he (finally!) learned to crawl forward. It's a whole new world for this little guy. We love the way he crawls- it's still slow and jerky so he looks like he's strutting. He also still backs up to sit on his bum all the time, as though to stop and assess the situation before continuing forward.
He broke his first dish this month- he has this talent for whipping his head forward and backward while he's in his high chair (which has wheels) and one night he did it so he could get closer to the counter and grab some dishes. He is a smart little guy- he'll use just about any nearby object as a tool so he can move another object closer to him or around. He loves rolling balls (and foam rollers) around and chasing after them.
He has started coasting verrrry slowly along furniture. He's wanting to pull up to stand, but hasn't yet done so- he's just teasing us so far.
He had a really great night toward the end of the month (sleeping for 10 straight hours!) so we are hopeful that he'll start to get those kinds of stretches regularly in the near future.
Atticus did get a (very!) quick stomach bug, but rallied quickly. Other than that, he had a fantastic month. We started our second round of Joy School (he is LOVING it!) and now that it's cooling off we can play outside in the morning and early evening.
It's amazing. He's growing up so fast. He learned to button and unbutton his clothes (he completely dressed himself this morning!) I'd say he completely stopped taking naps halfway through August, so we are spending more time than ever together. Some days it drives me crazy, but others we have a lot of fun. Sometimes he'll "work out" with me in the garage and he has been helping me cook and bake a lot. In fact, this month he learned how to crack, mix, and start cooking eggs. He also has learned to fold laundry. When we had guests coming over a couple days ago, he kept asking how to help and he set the table, cleaned the counter, and started sweeping the floor. He's still only 3, but I love how incredibly willing he is to help.
A real benefit of his consistent, no-napping schedule is that (now that he goes to bed at the same time every night) he really hasn't been struggling with night terrors. He'll still have nightmares and will cry out here and there but I don't think he's had a genuine night terror in a couple months. Hallelujah!
He has days where he acts so responsibly that Dane and I even feel comfortable letting him play out front by himself (for a few minutes at a time). He's so cute, going outside with his backpack full of tools, a light saber, and a magnifying glass so he can go on "nature walks" to look for bugs. He has started taking all of his sidewalk chalk in his tricycle and leaves smiley faces on our neighbors' sidewalks (our driveway is full of these little beauties).
Don't get me wrong. We still have more tantrums than I would like (and they're probably louder and more intense than his peers), but he seems to be getting past them faster and having them less often.
There was one such occasion a week ago. I had been heading over to put a bib on Hinckley when Atticus started yelling about something that he was upset about. Without even thinking, I headed straight to him and started putting the bib on him (Atticus). He was already upset at the moment but became nearly apoplectic at the thought of wearing a bib! Dane was quick on his feet and told him he was acting like a baby so I was treating him like one. It was unintentional on my part (and absolutely hilarious) but probably a good lesson for him.
Atticus participated in his very first primary program. He and the other two sunbeams were so well-behaved! He didn't sing with all his heart (like he had in the practices), but we'll take it as a win.
At the end of the month Atticus went to a "Mad Hatter" birthday party for his cute little friend Islay. I just love how willing our wild little man is to play the dapper part (when the occasion calls for it).
Oh, and here's a (hilarious) letter he wrote to his friend Collin who is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Africa:
Our boys are crazy but pretty darn lovable.
Atticusisms:
"I'm going out to investigate."
"Can you imagine driving a garbage truck?"
"Mommy, what are they drinking?" "It's none of our business." "Is it soda business?"
"My knees hurt!" (from pretending to be a wolf)
"This road is so dirty!" (he's been sweeping the road every few days)
"I got hit by science." (trying to explain how he got a bonk on the head at the science museum)
"Daddy, you're so selfish!"
"If your ears are popping, burp!"
"I'm sorry Ellie." ("Now give her a hug.") "But she's NAKED!" (with friends after swimming)
"Yesternight"
"Can I help you?" "How can I help?"
"I love you because you make me raisin bread." "I love you because you let me rake."
"You're handsome, Daddy." "You're pretty, Mommy."
"Please, please, PLEEEEEASE.... Pretty please with a cherry on top?1!!" (Said in a very high, screeching voice ALL the time)
