Dominic - 2.5 Years

For now I'm doing semi-annual updates for Dominic. He is growing up so much, so fast. He is a boy now. He's as big as, or bigger, than his 4/5 year old friends, and is talking non-stop, using his imagination and showing empathy and kindness. 

Here is a picture of Dom at 2.5 years, followed by a couple older ones to compare!

I tried to get him to pose with his hands under his chin. So close, but way more adorable this way.

Quick & Dirty photoshop of his pictures 1 year -> 18 months -> 2 years -> 2.5 years

Weight: 36 lb (95th percentile! First time he's been under the 100+ in almost two years!)

Height: 3ft 2in (90th percentile)

Likes:

• Favorite toys: cars. No matter what he's playing with, cars get involved. Lego? Build a garage! Paw patrol? Driving them in their cars! Sensory bucket? Better bring the cars! He plays a lot of "parking lot", where he drives the cars with all the car sounds and then parks them in a neat, very particular line up. If we play too and park a car backwards he says, "Ummm... maybe not backwards," and fixes it.
• Routine. This boy knows what to expect in a week, and is very sad that Tot Romp is over!
• His people. He lights up when he sees our families and his little friends. He is growing to be more confident all the time. 

Dislikes:

• The usual toddler things: sharing, being left in the church nursery, being told no. 

Notes:

• He is wearing size 4T and 5T clothing depending on the brand. He can sometimes squeeze into 3T bottoms as well. Size 8 shoes, but he still has fat feet so we have a hard time finding shoes that work. 
• He's still in diapers; size 6. He has no interest in potty training, but I'm not in a rush. I pretty much expect to do Dom and Emilia at the same time; she'll likely be ready long before him.
• We haven't taken him to the dentist yet, but I believe he has all his teeth he should have right now! Nice break from teething.
• I sort of wonder if he has some asthma or something. Whenever he gets sick he gets it way worse in the chest than the rest of us. He actually was prescribed a puffer a few weeks ago when he was sick. When he runs he does get a little huffy and cough-y. Here's hoping it's something he outgrows. David would be devastated.
• He talks a lot. Like non stop. This would surprise many people because when we're out he's quite shy with new people. But seriously... he doesn't stop! We have an adorable narrator for our lives.
• No sense in writing down the words he knows anymore. His vocabulary is huge and getting clearer every day. He is randomly understanding new concepts though, for example, "Mommy, I see a big digger! Oh, but it's in the background... wayyyyyyy over there!" - that is literally a sentence he'll say. So many words!
• He is very passive with other kids. If we're at Tot Romp and some kid comes to snatch his toy he sort of steps back and stares, almost daring them to take it. If they do take it he just moves on. If he's going for a toy and another kid runs in and gets to it first he just casually turns around and comes back. I'm glad, because he's a big kid. He could do some damage if he wanted to. (Emilia knows all about Dom losing his cool...)
• While he often doesn't like sharing and has a good little tantrum, he occasionally flips a switch and becomes the sweetest little human. All the "please", "thank you", "excuse me", "here you go," etc. 
• He is empathetic. If Emilia is sad in the car he will put his hand over into her lap and just hold her leg or hold her hand. If we're at home he'll bring her whatever he thinks she needs, even if he is using it (during a nice streak). If one of us is sick or coughing he'll come and say, "Mommy, feel better." If I stub my toe or bonk my head he says, "Oh oh! Mommy needs the boo boo bag!"
• He has started asking to come out of the stroller and walk during our walks. This doesn't work great for us. When we go for a walk it's usually to walk the dog, which means not going at toddler pace. We give him a snack and a couple cars and "forget his shoes" to keep him in the stroller. 
• He is cautious. Emilia is bringing out some of the adventure and confidence in him, but he is typically quite calculated and cautious. Typical first child, haha! She will be climbing tall things (like a ladder...) and instead of taking a turn, Dom just stands there and cheers her on. Oh the next few years should be fun.
• He knows so. many. cars. It is honestly so impressive and outrageous. If he gets a new Hot Wheels car he grabs it and right away looks at the headlights and tail lights and then identifies it. If it's one he "should" know, he gets it. If it's not one he's familiar with he makes a very educated guess. He honestly corrects me quite a bit when we're out. 
• He also knows many Star Wars characters. He's never really watched it, but he has books and action figures. David is training him well.
• He knows his alphabet. Not in any particular order, but if he sees a letter he knows what it is, or what it stands for.
• He can count to 10. Sometimes 11, but then jumps to 14. 
• A few weeks ago he very suddenly (like overnight) became a champion eater. He will eat anything we put on his plate. He ate more chili than I did the other night. He still has his favorites (quesadilla, toast and jam, yogurt, etc.), but I no longer stress that he's not going to eat enough during the day.
• He's started calling himself Dominic instead of Dom. Emilia has also graduated from Yaya to "Weelia". 
• He can recognize his name if we write D-O-M. 
• He is still in his crib. He sleeps so darn well, I'm just not ready to risk that being messed up! All his friends are in toddler beds though.

A Typical Day:

Some of his little friends around his age are starting to drop their naps. I'm not ready for that! Luckily, I don't think he is either. He doesn't nap as long as he used to during the day, but when Emilia goes to bed he so enjoys his alone time that he just plays like a little angel until I decide it's nap time.

0700: I get him up from bed; he's often up before this, but he sits quietly in bed

0730: Oatmeal with honey & cinnamon, banana, and yogurt with fruit (eats the most at breakfast)

0930: Snack time

1100: Lunch time

1230: Nap time (this 2+ hours is very very important for me)

230: Wake up (if he is up earlier I will most often just leave him until 230)

300: Snack time

500: Dinner

700/730: Bed time!

Some of my favorite pictures from January until now!

Many of his super cheesy smiles in this set...

My Valentine's date

Can't believe he's mine!

His nurturing side, changing the puppy's diaper

If you ever lose him, he's probably off in a corner playing very nicely and independently, probably with cars.

Dominic brings so much joy to our lives every day. He's goofy, loving, kind and loud. He loves being the center of attention, but is learning to share the spotlight with his little sister. 

We love you! <3