Micah: 3 Years

I've put off writing this post for a long time.  It's intimidated me, I want to do justice to the very three-ness that is Micah, to concisely sum up what the last years have meant to me.  Yeah right, that is impossible.  We're having a great time on this journey.

Micah definitely had a developmental spurt a week or two before his third birthday.  All of a sudden, his brain was making connections in a new way, his language skills were exploding, he has a great imagination and sense of humor, and he started working on understanding his independence.  Along with this came a desire to exert that independence.  He wants to do things his way, and he pushes back a lot when things are not going as he thinks they should.  That seemed to peak a few weeks ago, and this past week or two has been more calm.  It seems to go better for both of us when I slow down and pay attention to what he needs.

To my surprise, another thing that seemed to help lessen Micah's ... whateverness ... was holding firm to boundaries.  I like to be flexible when I can, but Micah went through a phase of always pushing and asking for more.  Simple example, but if we were getting ready for nap time and I changed any element at his request, he then tried to change EVERYTHING and fell apart when I said no.  He would specifically ask for things he KNEW I would say no to, it felt like just so he could have a fit.  Like asking for cookies for breakfast or something.  However, when I started (gently and respectfully) telling him that I wasn't going to change my mind, he didn't have to be happy about it but I wasn't going to change, then he started to be more OK with accepting the boundaries in place.  My theory is that as he grows and gets more aware of the world, he starts to test his own power - who is in control?  I do agree, though, with those who say kids do NOT want to be in control really (though they say they do).  Micah wants me to know what's going on, to be the authority, and he is happier and calmer when he's not the one in charge.

Listening to Micah's stories and theories of the world is one of my very favorite things right now.  He's hilarious, from declarations about colors, why the moon waxes and wanes, God, work, to when he'll be a grown up.  I wish I could type as fast as he talks (and he talks allll the time), but his funniest moments tend to be in the car when I'm driving.

Micah's day consists of waking up around 7:30 am, or after 8 if we're all lucky.  He and Luke run around and play while Mike gets ready for work.  For breakfast, he has yogurt and usually some cereal (right now we're into Annie's cinnamon cereal).  After breakfast he and Luke play while I do any morning chores and/or play with them.  We try to get outside for a couple of hours in the morning, or go play at friends' houses.  Lunch is usually sandwiches and fruit with dad, followed by nap time.  We're into watching Dinosaur Train or Thomas the Train after naps.  In the summer, with more daylight and warmer temps, we usually went out to play in the yard after naps.  Autumn found us slowing down a lot.  We usually have dinner by 5:30, followed by more play, bath and bed.

Two toddlers are very destructive.  Cleaning feels like something worse than just going against the tide.  Even if I get the house picked up before they go to bed, before I get up in the morning toys are everywhere.  They also really like to help - help fold and put away laundry, put away dishes, clean up toys.  I'm lucky if I find all the clothes later.

I don't think it's possible to accurately cover the difference between life 2, 3, or 4 years ago and this year.  I love everything about now.  Grossness, loudness, throwing and destructiveness even included.  The sweetness and joy overwhelms me.  Micah is a happy, happy guy.  He loves his friends and family, he loves to bake, and he's learning so much, so quickly.