From the mouth of Stephen

Stephen has some phrases that he uses frequently that I don't want to forget. 

*"Are you seriously?" - said in a very incredulous tone - makes me laugh every time!

*"...but that's okay." - said when something happens, gets broke, etc. 

*"I still love you, Mommy."

*May can I have..."

From the mouth of Stephen

Some of my favorite Stephen phrases...

*morning day

*Sorry, Charlie - he picked this up from his parents. 

*this morrow? - When I tell him something is tomorrow, he'll say "this morrow?"

*Do you unnerstand? - usually said to Paul, another phrase he heard his parents use

*How many times do I have to tell you? - He said this to me once, another mommy phrase. 

*What did you say to Paul? - Being a typical oldest child, Stephen must know everything I say to anybody else. 

*I love you, Mommy! - This is definitely my favorite! 

Translating Stephen

For the most part, Stephen is very easy to understand. However, there are a few words that I have to ask him to repeat several times before I figure out what he is saying. One of the more recent ones is "chim a chims." Any guesses? Definitely one that requires some context. This is what he calls "M&Ms." 

Happy 3rd birthday, Stephen!

Stephen is 3! He was very excited about his approaching birthday and kept talking about his birthday party. Here are some things I want to remember about him at this age...

Stephen requested to wear a tie to church on his birthday.

A picture with our 3-year-old

*He LOVES basketball, football, baseball, soccer, hockey, tennis, golf, volleyball...basically anything that involves throwing, hitting, or kicking a ball. I think basketball is his favorite to play. He loves watching the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and Nebraska Huskers on TV. He knows that John Fox is the Broncos coach and Peyton Manning is the quarterback. Michael Cuddyer is his favorite player on the Rockies team. He also enjoys watching basketball games in person. When he watches sports, he is very attentive and will talk about what is happening. "He just scored a touchdown. They miss the shot. He didn't catch it. He just throw the ball. Go defense!"

*He talks about himself as whatever athlete he is that day. For example, "Basketball player is dribbling the ball. Basketball player is going to Target. Basketball player is eating lunch."

*He loves playing with Paul. He also loves taking toys away from Paul. I love watching their brother relationship develop. They have a great time chasing and tackling each other and spend lots of time laughing together. Stephen likes it when Paul tries to repeat a word or sound he says. Stephen usually uses the cutest voice when he is talking to Paul.

*Stephen will come up to me randomly, give me a hug, and say "I love you, Mommy." So sweet!

*He loves cars and can name a Mustang, Shelby, or Corvette by sight. He likes to watch for muscle cars and hot rods on the street.

*A few months ago, he stopped playing with my hair. It happened all of a sudden and I didn't even realize it at first. I sometimes miss it but am glad he is done.

*Stephen loves reading books. Some of his favorites right now are Pete the Cat, Curious George, "Go, Dog, Go," "Angel in the Waters" (a book about a baby in utero and being born), and the blog book from his first year. There are a few books he can "read" on his own. I love seeing him sit down with Paul and read a book. These include "Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear."

*He can be quite the little chatterbox. I love hearing him talk and laugh at the things he comes up with sometimes. He has quite the imagination. For awhile he had a friend named "Duncan Jackson." Sometimes he has a puppy named "Jackson." (Not sure where he came up with those names.) He plays with imaginary basketball and football players. He talks about going to work. He used to work at the post office. Now he works at high school basketball games.

*Stephen loves helping Daddy, especially if it involves going in the garage. He likes following Daddy around and going on errands with him. He also loves playing football and basketball with Daddy.

*Stephen is usually an early riser...up before 7. He'll come into our room and say, "It's morning day." Sometimes he'll be okay playing or reading in the living room. Other times he'll bring toys into our bedroom.

*One morning Stephen was finishing breakfast, and I was in the bathroom getting ready for the day. He started yelling, "Mommy, I'm done," and got no response. So he decided to try yelling, "Jessica!"

*I know there's more that I just can't think of right now. I wish I could record every cute thing he says and does because I want to always remember him at this age, especially when he becomes an adorable teenager. :)
          

Coming soon...

I want to introduce you to Baby C #3! He/she will arrive at the beginning of May. Stephen is very excited about the baby coming. Paul has no idea what's going to happen. Here's a couple Stephen tidbits...

*When asked what we should call the baby, Stephen enthusiastically replied, "Joey Boo Boo Baby!" We had been to storytime that morning where the theme was babies. One of the books had been "What Shall We Do with the Boo Hoo Baby?" Not sure where Joey came from. 

*One morning Stephen shared some of his breakfast with Paul. I told him, "When the baby comes, you will have someone else to share with. Isn't that exciting?" He shouted with his hands in the air, "Yay babies! God bless America!" Ever since I sang "God Bless America" around the 4th of July, he has been singing it and just saying that phrase randomly. 

From the mouth of Stephen

Most frequently heard sentence in our house - "Let me dood it right now!" Gotta love an independent 2 year old!

Someday...

Stephen has been talking about what he wants to be someday. So far he has mentioned firefighter, race car driver, and Sean White (famous snowboarder Stephen has seen on TV during the X Games). We'll see what God has in store! It's always good to dream!

From the mouth of Stephen

(Said while playing with a toy gorilla) "Gorilla loves Jesus Christ."

From the mouth of Stephen

The other night we asked Stephen who he wanted to pray for. He responded with, "Michael Jordan and Dante Bichette."

A little explanation - He knows who Michael Jordan is because he has some Nike shoes. Dante Bichette is a former player and current hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies baseball team. We had checked out an older book about the Rockies from the library and Bichette was in there. Stephen liked his name and it has stuck with him. As we know, everyone needs prayers, even sports figures.

From the mouth of Stephen...

Enjoying his first popsicle

Stephen is quite the little chatterbox. I love listening to his little conversations with me and with himself. Here are some things we hear frequently around our house...

*"big brother" - Stephen has started referring to himself as "big brother." I often call him that when talking to Paul, so he has picked up on it. He'll say things like, "big brother play trucks."

*"Daddy all done work, come home." - This sentence is said multiple times everyday. I usually have to confirm by saying, "Yes, when Daddy is all done with work, he will come home."

*"way far away" - Anything that isn't right next to Stephen is considered to be "way far away."

*"me Chad" - We have a friend named Chad whose family owns a building moving company. They have lots of big trucks. Chad is also who redid our driveway. Stephen frequently likes to pretend he is Chad and is going to work.

*"me fox" - Stephen also likes to pretend he is a fox and will crawl around. He will also pounce on imaginary food and pretend to eat off the ground.

*"little bit" - I'll sometimes tell him we can do something for a little bit longer. So, Stephen will say, "play outside little bit."

*"say-ball" - This is his word for baseball. Stephen definitely likes playing baseball. He enjoys being a pitcher, throwing the ball, pretending to run the bases, and hitting the ball. I can't wait until we go to a Rockies baseball game later this summer. He will love it!

*"Paul play with me" - Stephen loves playing with his little brother. I love watching them play together. They usually do a pretty good job.

*"muscle cars," "monster truck," "race cars"- Stephen is a also a big fan of cars and trucks. He has quite a collection of Hot Wheels already and has started asking what kind each one is.

"pea budder mamich" - Anytime I ask Stephen what he wants for lunch or supper, he will say this which means "peanut butter sandwich." He is definitely a peanut butter fan like his mommy.

Dr. Stephen

"Mommy, me doctor. Me check Paul."

(He is using a wrist slingshot for his stethoscope. I guess he was inspired by Paul's doctor appointment on Tuesday.)

Gorgeous!

Stephen and I are playing soccer in our living room. He decided we needed to wear hats. I checked myself out in the mirror with my hat on and said, "Gorgeous!" A few minutes later, Stephen looked in the mirror and said, "Gorgeous!" I'm trying to teach him that boys are handsome, but gorgeous is just more fun to say!

From the mouth of Stephen

Three cute Stephen moments...

*I got my first unsolicited "I love you" on Friday. I told Stephen it would be naptime in a couple minutes. He came and gave Paul a hug and kiss, gave me a hug and kiss, and said, "I love you, Mommy" and headed to his bedroom. Almost made me cry!

*I sneezed a few minutes ago and Stephen said "bless you."

*He's started saying "no way." Yesterday he was also saying "no way, Paul."

From the mouth of Stephen

Some water got on Stephen's highchair tray. He pointed at it and said "Jesus." It took me a bit but then I realized he was thinking of holy water. I said the Sign of the Cross, and he said "Amen" with me. He then asked me to do it more.