Ivan the Great

Ivan turned 4! Here's what you were up to at 4 Ivan

We've been in a little rut lately, he and I, but the suns been shining and he's been able to play outside more and I think that has solved our problem. My hormones and his whineyness was surely taken it's toll, but I think the poor thing was tired of being inside and has had a little too much mom for a while. So anyway- You'll definitely get the better version of him since I'm writing now and not a few weeks ago.

We do love our boy! He is very sensitive, which I think contributes to the babyness that comes out sometimes, but the positive side is he makes sure that if Jack is sitting with dad then he will sit with me so I have someone. Or he often comments about how sad he is to leave grandma and grandpas because then they are alone.

He is VERY observant and notices anything new I put in the house or anything I've changed. He also notices all detail on his toys, to the point that if there are two of the same he can tell them apart by a tiny scratch, faded sticker or bent ear. He of course prefers the better one so when he and Jack are ready to play with the same toy together he inspects them and gives himself the one in better shape.

 He does take good care of his toys, I really don't think he's ever broken one from being careless or too rough. He knows what toys he has and he can tell you (for the most part) who gave him what. In an appreciative way.

He loves to pretend right now. His favorite is to be our pet cheetah, but he wants to pretend to be all sorts of animals. So when we eat dinner he can't sit up to the table, he has to be an animal under the table and steal the food from off the fork.

When he watches a movie or show he has to have, in his hand, whatever animal or car or whatever is in the show. So if something comes on about motorcycles he'll get out his motorcycle.... etc....

He'll have to spend some time in the loony bin when he is older because he has some obsessive compulsive behaviors coming out already. Getting him dressed each day is going to be the death of me. He is VERY picky about how things fit. When I put a long sleeve shirt on him he measures it to his wrist and it has to be just right or he won't wear it. I think it's mainly because when he gets down on all 4's to run around like an animal he doesn't like the feel of the sleeve coming up too much or something. Anyway, right now he will only wear basketball shorts  ("soft short pants") and a short sleeve shirt. I have to stick him in rain boots everyday, otherwise we spend 15 minutes getting the tongue in his shoe and the velcro straps just right. Ahhhhhhh

When he's thirsty now he wants a glass of oj, a glass of milk and a glass of water. So 3 cups sitting out in front of him. (we rarely satisfy that need though)

He loves to have you tell him a story. Books too, but more so just laying in bed and telling a story about something. We've been doing books on tape in the car and he loves it

He's addicted to blue

When he goes #2 on the pot he wants me to go out, shut the door, stay by the wall and not make any noise. He often yells at us all to be quiet when he is in there.

Loves to snuggle!!!!

A little stingy with his friends, has to get his way or take toys they are playing with.

and he eats like crap

But we love you Ivan and think you are the smartest, sweetest thing in the world. Happy Birthday!