Like Mommy, Like Packy

Paxton's memory stuns me. I bought him a book two days ago and have read it to him twice. I don't generally read the title, as a rule, when I read him a book. Apparently, though, I must have said the title at some point, because when I went to get him out of bed this morning, he held up the book and said, "See, Mommy? Counting Kisses". Sometimes Chris and I are convinced that he can read. We have no recollection of teaching him so many things he knows.

Because he's so curious and ready to learn, I make it a point to tell him the correct information that he's asking about. He now knows that the three flags outside our neighbood entrance are the American flag, the Texas flag and the POW flag. He knows that girls have vulvas and boys have penises. He knows the difference between a construction truck and a telephone repair truck. There's no question that being his mom has made me more informed. Because he cares about the details, I do, too.

He's starting to use his imagination more and more. For months, he has been pretending that a french fry is a plane or a cookie with a bite taken out of it is a number six. He's been creating active little worlds for his cars. He enjoys driving them down the "road" and parking them in the "lots". Lately, he has started telling me things he did "last night". "Packy rode a big boat last night!". "Packy saw a big rig last night". I don't know if he's actually recounting dreams he had, or if this is a new game he's making up. Regardless, it's fun to hear about his nighttime adventures.

Anyone who knows Paxton would likely describe him as "emotional" or "dramatic". The kid is always the fastest one in any group to have a meltdown. I think he's prone to overstimulation, for one. And I'm sure I've fed into recognizing his breakdowns and giving him attention for them. But he's also sensitive to others. I'm seeing this more and more. At Tatum's birthday party, he doted on her. He put his hands out to catch her when she came down the slide, and when she fell, he helped her up and brushed her off. He loves his friends. When Harper is here, Paxton always makes sure that I get them both milk or a treat. Today, I hit my leg at the store and Paxton said, "Momma, you okay?". I love the nurturing side of him.

We haven't really begun a strict discipline system for Paxton. For most things, I'm able to explain to him why what he's doing in inappropriate. We will soon have to sit down and instigate a 'time out' penalty so he can really grasp when something is unacceptable. Currently, I find myself giving him a deadpan stare when he's working my last nerve. For some reason, he finds this utterly hilarious. He now stares right back at me until one of us cracks up like we're giddy teenagers. It's become something of a game for us, and though some people would surely frown on letting my 2-year-old get the better of my disciplinarian stare, I love sharing a good belly laugh with him more than anything. I should worry that my toddler and I have the same sense of humor, but I've never been known for acting my age.

Plus, it's clear Paxton has a great mind. And we all know that great minds think alike.

One cool bunny.

Swinging his bunny.

Such a little angel.

More Random Cute Stories About the Boy

• Today, Paxton and I were walking one of my client's dogs and we were noting the numbers on the mailboxes. Although he can count to twenty, he has some trouble matching the numbers with the names. He called fourteen "four", and I pointed out that it was "fourteen". He then called thirteen "three", and I again corrected him. When we got to 12, he hesitated and said, "that's twelve-teen". Oh, so cute!

• He's added to the list of cars he knows. He now can recite that Amy drives a "Skip-burban", George drives a "Civic", and Nana drives a "Focus". I still don't know how he can spot a Corolla from a mile away. I drive one and it still looks like every other car to me.

• Often, when he naps, I spend a little time getting some things done around here, and then for the last 1/2 hour or so, I lay down for a nap of my own. I have the monitor on so I can hear when he wakes up. The other day, almost as soon as I lay down, I heard him start to stir. I tried to ignore him and grab a few minutes of sleep. Then I heard him quietly start to sing a song from Music Together. He sang it quietly and slowly. "This train is bound for glory. This train is bound for glory. This train is bound for glory. Children get onboard. No more weepin' and a-wailin'. No more weepin' and a-wailin'. No more weepin' and a-wailin'. C'mon children, get onboard." I can't ignore my child singing old gospel songs. I just can't.

• We went to the mall for Paxton's annual picture with the Easter Bunny this week. He got to hang out with the bunny and chat him up a bit while we were waiting for his pics to process. We had a nice lunch. Did a little shopping. He played with the toys at the Children's Place. We even had Dippin' Dots for a dessert. The highlight of the whole day for him? Riding the "escavator". I was a little nervous getting on it with him. He, however, loved it. We may have to go to the mall more often just for that experience!

• We got an iPhone a couple of weeks ago, and per the suggestion of my friend Amy, I bought some toddler-friendly apps. There are some flashcards, some songs, some animal pics that will make the sound of the animal when you tap them. But what he likes best is an app that quizzes toddlers on everything from numbers and letters to colors, animals and vegetables. He loves it! I realize I'm going against everything I hold sacred by making him at video game kid at this tender age, but I reason that he's learning things while he plays. He can identify an eggplant, a firefly, upper and lowercase letters and any number. He still struggles with colors. I know now that he isn't colorblind, but it just isn't his strong suit. Watching him do those quizzes is just dizzying. He picked it up so quickly. This is the future. We start them out as tech whizzes as toddlers. It's stupefying.