Matt, Christen, Derek & Rylie

Derek (2 years, 3 months)
Derek continues to amaze us with his obedience, kind heart, confidence, athleticism and vocabulary. Derek is such a sweet boy. He is always concerned when Rylie cries and tells her "Rylie, its ok" over and over again. At church this past week a boy in his class was crying and the Sunday school worker told us that Derek stood next to the boy and told him over and over again "its ok." Derek is always looking out for Mommy. For example when we are playing trains (or shopping at the children's museum) he makes sure I have an engine to play with (or shopping cart to use) and if another child takes the train (or shopping cart) he gets very upset (often resulting in tears) and goes after the toy for me. It makes me feel so loved and also a great sharing opportunity. Derek is very good at verbalizing his feelings and needs. Its amazing to see how much progress he has made. Derek gives amazing hugs (lots of them)!! He is very interested in the big hand on the clock and regularly point it out to us. "Mommy, big hand on -- (a number)!" He has can count to 20 and often does before he jumps into the pool. Derek LOVES Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater and brings his Duplo McQueen and Tow Mater with him everywhere. He enjoys singing. Two new songs he has begun to sing himself this month have been Old MacDonald and Jesus Loves Me. We often make up verses of this song with Old MacDonald having George, the Man with the Yellow Hat, Thomas the Train or Lightning McQueen on the farm. Derek thinks its hilarious! After his bath Derek LOVES for Daddy to wrap him up in his towel and make a "Derek burrito." The minute Daddy sets Derek down he runs naked down the hallway, beginning his sprints. Derek LOVES when Matt and I run with him. "Derek run so fast!" This month Derek began using the word "I" in his sentences. He repeats most everything he hears us say (usually we will hear things come out later on). His favorite TV show is Curious George (specifically Sea Monkey and Rocket Monkey episodes). After Derek goes swimming he goes pee pee on the potty outside all on his own! Derek LOVES to read. He will sit for 15-20 minutes or more listening to books and reading some himself too! He favorite place to listen to stories is right in our laps! We are impressed with his attention span, comprehension and memory. Derek is learning lots at PJ's clubhouse (Bible story time at church). He tells us all the time that "God wants us to make right choices." It is the cutest thing...often he yells it out at the dinner table. Derek thinks its hilarious that when I joke around and call Rylie "Lady Jane" or "Missy."

 

Derek LOVES riding his bike. He is getting better and better every day. He still rides about an hour/day. He LOVES to go down the hills at the park.

playing with Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and Finn (his FAVORITE cars).

Enjoying a snack with mom (GF and dairy free too) after his nap.

Derek LOVES to go swimming and is getting very confident. He LOVES dunking on our basketball hoop, jumping off the side, touching the bottom of the pool, swimming halfway across the pool, and getting rings.

stretching like Daddy in P90X yoga

Derek thinks its so fun to play with Rylie's toys, especially her car seat and bouncer. He gets himself in all by himself and then needs help getting out. 

Sometimes he asks me to carry him in Rylie's car seat.

finally got a video of him singing the ABC's (He LOVES his Bob the Builder tool box)

 making play dough pancakes

Derek LOVES taking bubble baths.

Watching baseball with Daddy before bedtime has become a regular routine.

"Bye bye Mommy. Derek go to work!" (notice the keys in his hand)
Derek LOVES to pretend to be Daddy and go to work with his lunchbox, work bag, cellphone and keys. He even climbs into the car puts his seat belt on and "drives"

Derek is a tough boy...notice the 3 bruises on his forehead. For the most part he shakes things off really quickly and is back at it again! We are grateful. (He looks like he is in pain, but he just didn't want me to take a picture of him at that moment.)

painting the rocket ship at the Children's Museum with his good friend Bella. He got paint all over himself. I was able to wipe some of it off and then he looked like a character in the movie Braveheart.

Derek still sucks his thumb from time to time and sleeps with his shirt (one of my maternity shirts)