The Dixon Family: Connor is 2!

My baby is 2 years old! It is crazy how fast this last year seems to have gone! I have to say I really like year two better than one. Year one was HARD! Connor was not a happy baby and then once we figured out it was food allergies it turned into a different kind of hard. But now we have a good handle on things and it is all learning, exploring and fun! Honestly, Connor is pretty good and easily distracted so even frequent tantrums are not that big of a deal.

If I had to sum Connor up in one photo this one below would be it! He is so strong, fearless, loves being outside and his little happy face is just the cutest!

On his birthday I measured him to be 28.4 pounds, 35 inches tall and 19 inches in head circumference. When I looked it up that puts him in about 50th percentile for height and weight and then a little under for head size. His 2 year check up is next week so we will see where they put him.

A few months ago he grew like crazy moving up in a clothes size early and skipping a shoe size entirely. He wears size 2T clothes and 3T PJs and a 6/7 in shoes. Right now he has been putting on a ton of weight and is no longer super skinny but a nice little kid size.

Connor says lots of animal sounds and some words. He is still a bit delayed on language and comprehension but he uses more words now and more accurately so I usually know what he wants. Hint: He usually wants to go outside. My favorite animal sound he does right now is a wolf because he stretches his neck up and howls at the sky!

These are the words he uses the most:
(Pl)ease

Yes

Shoes

(Out)side

Sauce (=park)

Lizard

Fish

Dog

Slide
Da (daddy)

He loves the park, rocks, shoes, dogs, airplanes, balloons, being outside, his fruit snacks, olives, blankies, his pacifiers, being chased, trampolines/jumping, the iPad/TV, lizards, running, water, and things with wheels.

Water in all forms is the best!! His favorite drink is water! He will down a whole one one of his water bottles if I let him (and then pee out of his diaper the next few hours). Puddles must be splashed in with both feet and hands - then he usually tries to drink out of them. Washing hands is so exciting and he loves getting a drink out of the faucet. The hose in the backyard leaks a little and that is perfect for washing hands. The bath tub is a blast! And don't even get us started at the beach where there is water and rocks!

Connor has the best smile ever! His laugh is adorable too! He is the most ticklish around his neck. I also love his excitement for life! At the park I have been told several times that Connor looks so happy because he just gets so much more excited about little things then the other kids do.

Things Connor doesn't like: When he can't run around or go outside (sacrament is interesting). Having his shirt off or not down all the way - if it is up he will pull it back down to cover his tummy. He doesn't like having his diaper changed unless he has something in his hands or to watch - again this is a restriction of his movement. I have to work on rotating his food frequently - the first time he loves a new food but then after a day he won't eat it again until it is "new" again.

As far as I know, Connor doesn't have anything he is afraid of. He will sometimes hold onto my leg if he isn't sure about something but thunder, large barking dogs, fireworks, and hanging from the monkey bars up high don't phase him like they do with other kids. Sometimes thats nice, other times when he is trying to walk into a bonfire or jump off the 5 ft tall playground platforms it is scary because he doesn't have enough fear to keep himself from getting hurt.

Here is the link to all the photos from his photo shoot (no account required). Sorry They are big files and it takes forever to download them to the blog - this was easier.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10157525287330026.1073741850.534280025&type=1&l=cf55fb2ef0

Birthday boy after his party and nap. He was so happy with his blankie, pacifier, a car in one hand and balloon in the other while I let him watch a little TV. That is pretty much a perfect moment for him. Then he found some bonus olives under the couch from his party and that was great too!

Birthday dinner. Not that exciting but he did get another cupcake!!

Opening mom and dad's present! I scooter and helmet!

He had to wait to open the rest of the presents because we wanted him to get to try the scooter out before it got too dark. We took him to the park and taught him how to push with one foot. It took a little bit but he got it after a while!