Andrew Lately-From Toddler to Little Boy

I haven't written a post on Andrew in a while, but it's not because there isn't anything new with him. He has made the change from toddler to little boy so quickly!
In an effort to finally crank out this post and include all of the information about sweet Andrew I can think of and do it in the little time and clarity of thought I have, I'll use bullet points.

He talks all the time now. He can say most things that he wants and tries to have conversations with us, though we sometimes don't understand what he says. He'll say a few sentences then laugh like he just told a joke or started a funny conversation and we wish we knew what he said. He can say most things he wants to say, though, and is understood most of the time.

His first night in an open bed was on July 2, and much to our surprise and utter disbelief, he does not get up. At all. He even waits for us to come in and get him in the morning. We are so very thankful. We had just the front off of the crib for several days, but after he fell out while he was sleeping a couple of times we put a rail on the front. He can get out just fine as it doesn't cover the whole length of the front, but it keeps him from falling out. He likes it. And he stills has to sleep with a ball. The green wiffle ball is the favorite right now. Next up, twin bed and a shared room when the baby comes!

• As of July 27th, he is potty trained! You have to take him every 30-40 minutes or else he will go in his underwear sometimes but, if you take him in regular interval he will go on the potty every time. He is starting to show signs of holding it and letting you know he has to go in time to take him. I'm counting it as potty trained even though he doesn't tell us. I've got friends with older boys that say they still have to tell their boys to go potty. He'll start telling us one day, but until then we will just keep in the groove that works. He will even stay dry for a trip to the grocery store and back,  during longer outings, and even during nap. Oh, and the cutest thing- He potties then says, "Get a emmeee, emmeee!" (M&M). It works EVERY time. ***I have the cutest picture of him in his new Spiderman underwear but decided it best not to post it online for all to see!
• He eats the same types of things as Hannah and Hudson and doesn't require any special prep, really. His favorite foods are fruit of any kind (though he is phasing out of his love of bananas), cookies of any type, crackers, cereal, toast with jelly, macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, pizza, hummus (and other types of dip such as sour cream and onion, salsa, bean dip) with chips, spaghetti, and many more. He will eat most anything we give him, though, except we often have a hard time getting him to swallow chewy meats.

I think this kid knows how cute he is!

• He pretty much does anything Hannah and Hudson do. He still amazes us with his coordination and athleticism. He can ride the scooter, run, and bounce with the best of them!
• He loves to play the same types of things as Hannah and Hudson as well. He  keeps busy with his Duplo Legos (and snags the big kid Legos as often as he can) and the Playmobil little sets. The Rescue City and vehicles still get a lot of use too. 

• He is still such a little helper. He loves helping me do chores around the house like taking the laundry out of the dryer (which is especially helpful now that Mommy has a pregnant belly), unload the dishwasher, water flowers, and more. And he is great to clean up after himself when he plays. I have to tell him to clean up his mess far fewer times than big brother. He is more of a natural with putting toys away when he is done with them. 
• And we have a come a long way with discipline. He is showing a lot more self-restraint and self-control with retaliation when he is annoyed, and he hardly ever spends time in his time-out spot anymore. He is learning how to behave appropriately and respond with obedience more often than not. This is such a blessing! He has become so easy!
• Some little fears have crept into his life, mostly involving sounds. He is afraid of thunder, fireworks, Hudson's talking Hulk figure, and pretty much any unusual loud sound. He makes a stink face and covers his ears saying, "No wike (like) it, too wowed (loud)!" And he is actually afraid of walking on the linoleum in some stores. This has happened with the cracked tile in Trees N Trends and with the shiny light-reflecting floors of Walmart. He will stop, stand in one spot as if he is standing on the edge of a cliff and cry for me to pick him up. It's a little humorous, but I feel bad for him because he looks genuinely terrified when it happens. He has been having some night terrors off and on as well. Poor little guy. It's probably good, though, that a little guy so adventurous, active, and athletic is cautious. If not, we might have had more than a few head injuries and a broken collar bone to deal with in his short two-and-a-half years. 
• He still loves playing with balls of any type. We play catch and kickball daily. 
• When he sees me enter a room after a while, he excitedly says "Hi, Mommy!" He does the same with Daddy. It's precious.

This boy is an absolute joy! He is funny and amazes us constantly. He loves to make us laugh and loves to play and have fun. He is so smart and methodical. He is a great helper. He plays as well alone as he does having the other kids home to play with. He is laid-back and compliant. He always holds my hand when he is supposed to when we are out, and he loves being outside and being active. And he will make a great big brother!