His World Lately

I wrote this ENTIRE post a few weeks ago, right before we packed up the computer. I’m sure I wanted to add pictures to it, but I would rather have it posted without pictures than not post it at all… So here is Atlas in his world lately, at the beginning of December 2012.

I know it’s a lot, but I look forward to the day I print out my blog and make a book out of it, and have all of these amazingly cute memories, moments in this incredible toddler’s life that are so abundant these days, but will some day be different moments, little boy moments, then boy moments, then teenager moments, then adult moments….I want these toddler moments easily accessible to remember and smile about….

These are just a few cute things Atlas has done recently that are just popping into my head as I am writing. I wish I could record everything he does, but he is an endless universe of adorable and leaves me in wonder all day long. I know I’ll be happy I wrote these things down.

His world as a Brother:

Calls Urban either Honey, Sweetie, or Burban (baby Urban). Often rushes to her side when she is fussing, strokes the top of her head, with his brows furrowed ‘Aww, whats wrong honey? Why you cwying?” Genuine concern in his voice and face.
The other night he was being difficult so we let him go to our bed to go to sleep while me and Mike were trying to finish a movie. If you don’t know, Urban is in a co-sleeper right next to our bed. A few minutes later we hear Urban cooing and giggling and Atlas is chatting up a storm with her! We go in and he is leaned over her sleeper with an arm on her belly. Just hanging out, old, best buddies.
He also uses his little sis as an excuse to get out of things. She will make barely a peep and he will suddenly pipe up from his bed “Burban (baby Urban) needs me! She cryin!”
My favorite might be when he does sweet little things when he thinks no one is watching. Like when I spied him explaining Christmas to Urban (I couldn’t really make out what he was saying, but he was pointing at the Christmas tree and leaning over her, speaking softly and happily). And the time I spied him giving her a kiss attack.

His world as a little boy:

Getting really good at riding the balance bike.
Went swimming in the hot tub the other day, fully clothed, and had a blast. Then went and rolled around in the dirt, all wet and now muddy. Loved it. Also loved the nice warm, clean bath afterwards.
Another excuse to get out of bed- “I gotta go potty!”. This is usually true 5% of the time…but what do we say…no, you can’t try to go potty? So back and forth it is.
We finally have a few presents under the tree. Sometimes I will find Atlas just sitting there, staring at them :). I wish I could have that kind of wonder in my heart. I am so excited to create the magic of Santa Clause for him for the first time!
He is getting so good at singing! Among his already favorites Wheels on the bus & ABCs, he now also loves to sing Skidamarinkidinkidink and Monkey’s jumping on the bed. We have such fun dance sessions.
He is in LOVE with “White Christmas” the movie! Its precious. When the actors start dancing he comes up to me and grabs my hand and says “mommy dance with me? please!?!”
On a walk around our apartment parking lot, I asked him if he thought the trees were pretty. He responded “No mommy, not trees, it’s a jungle!”. We then pretended to see Lions and Monkey’s running through the jungle. I love his imagination.
Literally paid for our Christmas lights at Home Depot. I didn’t know he had any such plan. We got to the checkout, he handed the cashier the lights, then reached into his pocket and slapped a penny on the counter, he must have found it on the ground or something. As I tried to contain my giggles and “awww that’s so sweet!!!” I secretly handed the cashier my card and asked him to play along, accept the penny, and act like Atlas had indeed paid for our family Christmas lights. Financial education can come later, his desire was heart melting.’
Another money story – we received a sweet Christmas package from my Grandparent’s with some money taped onto the outside with a note to buy something fun for the kids. Instead I explained to Atlas that the money was a present for him and he gets to buy whatever he wants with it! He responded “….I know….Atlas buy a new house!!” – we are days away from closing on our house, he knows and wants to help!

His World as a Child, full of purity and the Light of Christ:

I wondered if I should share this, because it is so very dear to my heart.
The innocence and purity of a child is beyond beautiful. And the reason I blog is because I want to share the beauty of life.
On a walk/bike ride yesterday Atlas suddenly stopped his bike, pointed to the sunset & beautiful clouds, and gave me chills when he said “Look mommy, its Jesus”.
I thought I must have been mistaken, so I asked him what he said. He pointed at the sky and repeated, “it’s Jesus!”.
Then started riding his bike again, as if it were no big deal.
On a lighter, but just as beautiful note- a few weeks ago, Mike was walking the halls with a very restless Atlas during sacrament meeting. Here are Atlas’s responses to the pictures in the hall, all spoken with complete enthusiasm and joy:

“Jesus Wash the Feet! “

“Jesus Open the door!”

“Jesus tawk (talk) a friends!”

“Jesus Christ Butterfly!”

His World

After doing a post about Urban the other day, I felt sad that I hardly ever write down how Atlas is progressing in life these days. So here is his 34 month update!

Cuteness roundup:

• Chatty little guy. Sometimes when he goes on a rant about who knows what, I think he starts just saying words while he’s trying to figure out what he really wants to say. The whole think and then speak concept means nothing to him.
• Favorite toys (in no order): M&M truck, tractors, aminal (yes aMiNal) train, tow twup, firetuk
• Favorite song- Wheels on the Bus – he is usually singing this under his breath all day
• Another favorite song – ABC song.
• When Urban is sad he will rush to her side and start singing this and stroke her head. Sometimes he will give up and say “not working” and shake his head like he really thinks it should work.
• Every time when he demands that I sing the ABC song, I’ll start singing it, he’ll interrupt “no no no no no. WXYZ!” and will be unsatisfied unless I skip right to the end. Not because he doesn’t like the song, but because the end part is his very favorite part of the song.
• Favorite letter – W of course
• Favorite treat – Toss up between cookies, ice cream cone, marshmallows, and chocolate. Smart, spoiled kid….
• He’s a little helper. Won’t let me do the dishes alone (I imagine this will be very awesome once he gets a little older, but for now, it’s a sweet, but slippery wet mess). Also loves helping cook, this is a lot of fun actually and he’s pretty good at stirring without making a mess.
• Backseat driver – shouts “red light stop!!!!!!!!” “And “Green light go mommy go go!” All throughout the drives. Also randomly points out when to turn left and when to turn right…..lets just say I wouldn’t rely on this method to get home in any timely manner.
• Still the snuggliest toddler I’ve ever heard of.
• Helps give Urban baths
• builds cool “people house” with his blocks.
• Gives the cutest “kiss attack” you have ever had
• NEVER wants to get IN the bath, yet NEVER wants to get OUT either….
• Very imaginative these days, talking to his toys, his toys talking back, going on little adventures together….in his own little land.
• LOVES being tickled, chased, and hiding
• Loves bed time stories and reading books
• Can never get enough CHEEEEESE!

This craft was completely his idea. He called me to help him get some things out of the craft drawers. He chose glue, paintbrushes, paper, brown paint, and sticks. I asked him what he was making. He told me he was making our “new howts” (house). “biiig howtz”. Got a little teary eyed here.

Other cute stuff he’s been sayin….

One day a few weeks ago I told him that the reason he needs to take naps is so that his body can feel good and he will be happy. Ever since then, every time he wakes up, he yells at the top of his lungs “MOMMY I’M HAPPY!!! I’m happy I’m happy!!” Warms my heart.
Atlas was “reading” alone in his bed at bedtime. He started crying out for me or Mike to come to him, very sad-like. When I got in there and asked what was the matter he very sadly responded “reading is hard.”
His prayers are absolutely heart melting. He used to just pray for mommy and daddy. But those days are long over. The other day he prayed to watch a show and have chocolate. Most of the time he will pray for his train or m&m truck. Lot of times he will pray for daddy to come home if he is at work, or pray that he is happy that daddy is home. He also often prays “mommy happy, atlas happy, daddy happy, baby urban happy!”
Yesterday when it was time to go to nursery at church, he burst into the nursery room and exclaimed “Oh hi everybody, I’m back! Atlas is here!” And immediately sat down and started on the prepared activity. No looking back at me, is it wrong that I’m slightly heartbroken when he doesn’t care whether I stay or go?
He’s started learning songs that are not primary/toddler specific. A week or two ago he suddenly just started singing along with The Rock Of Ages soundtrack that I play all the time “More Than Words” and he sang through the whole thing, on key!! Again, a teary moment for me. He seemed so old.
And the thing I am MOST PROUD of him for right now just happened this weekend! We decided that he was ready to be cracked down upon when it comes to food. In case you didn’t know, he is the pickiest little child I know of, I’m not proud of this, and I’m pretty sure its my fault (yes Mike, I admit it), but last night we got him to eat fish, sweet potato's, and green beans! BIG DEAL! Of course, his portions were mouse sized as to not overwhelm him, but he did eat everything on his plate. I hope this is the beginning of a better life!

Some A Lot of pictures from here and there in his world lately: