But such a month also seems to have contained the magic formula for transforming said 2yo boy from a toddler into a child.

What happened to my boy?  He’s still in diapers (my fault) and still loves his milk in a bottle (his comfort), but suddenly he’s not “The Baby” anymore.  He owns more language than ever before, and is expressing himself like crazy.  Holding conversations, even.  Asking questions and waiting for answers.  Making jokes.  Suggesting fun activities or resolutions to problems.  And get this…he’s even fussing less.  A LOT less.  The temper that seemed to run this family has lightened, and we’re all breathing a little easier.

He filled me with dread the second day of our month-long trip.  All day he cried:  “MY ROOOOOOM!  MY ROOM IS GONE!  MY BEDDDDDDD!  MY BED IS GONE!  LUCY (our puppy) IS GONE!  I WANNA GO HOOOOOOOOOOOME!”  It was loud, aggravating, and absolutely heart-breaking.  I never expected his homesickness.  I worried it would last the entire trip.  But somehow by day three (and by “somehow,” I mean in answer to a pouring-out of prayers), he had resolved himself to go with the flow, which has never been his strong suit.  Don’t get me wrong, every few days his patience would wane and a spark would flare, but that was usually in response to too little sleep and over-stimulation.  For the majority of our trip, he was pretty relaxed and well-behaved.

Now that we’re home, his new-found maturity is seeming to stick.  Or maybe it’s the new way I’m looking at him; once you know what someone is capable of, you begin to expect it from them.  For months before our trip, I spent so much time on eggshells, waiting for the next outburst, next refused nap, next frustrated meltdown (his AND/OR mine).  These past few days at home have been almost glorious – today I even took him to Walmart and we both left the store happy and smiling.

It’s like I’ve been breathing with only one lung for so long, and now I’m able to take a chestful of air.  Here’s hoping it lasts.

The Air Up Here is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Wordless Wedesday: Now Do I Have Your Attention? is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Enjoy!

Looking for a Super Tasty, Fat-Free, No Calorie, Sweet Treat? is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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Last week I decided to randomly jump in and answer a question, and I won a Webkinz Jr Bear!

I have thus far managed to outrun Webkinz Mania by simply refusing to acknowledge their vast appeal.  Our kids have never owned one, bought one, received one as a gift; I have been stern and blissful in my denial.

But, Oh Nellie, this little bear came the other day and he is…….DARE I SAY IT?…….adorable!  So soft, cuddly, just absolutely delicious!

After reading the included Webkinz propaganda – I mean, literature – I discovered that Webkinz Jr has a website (webkinzjr.com) just for preschoolers.  I thought perhaps my youngest son Eli would enjoy it.

We registered our bear (“Berry”…I know, how original) on webkinzjr.com, and Eli proceeded to spend the day bathing him, brushing his teeth, playing games with him, taking him on walks through the local forest.  He had so much fun!  And the site was so intuitive that it was fairly easy for him to use.

These Webkinz may look innocent, but they know how to stage a quiet revolution.  I wonder if they’ll slowly start populating the bed corners of my home now.  If they’re all as cute as this little Bear and as fun to play with online, I just might let them!

*Big props if you can tell me what movie that line is from!  It’s a great one!

*PS:  I know this post is “technically” about a product, and I “technically” tend to do a lot of product reviews, but this post is just from little ol’ me, confessing my utter defeat in the face of a stuffed force of nature (and a pretty cool website for kids!).

“I Told You Them Chickens Was Organized”* is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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(for more Top Ten Tuesday posts, visit ohamanda.com)

I love when I get the chance to see the world from my 2yo son’s perspective.  We’ve recently been reviewing a Kodak PlaySport HD video/still camera as part of the Amazon Vine Program, and I *love* that it is incredibly durable and able to hold up to my son’s abuse.  I’ve been able to give him the camera and let him go on his own, and it’s so fun to discover what he’s captured!  Here now are 10 Pictures My 2yo Took:

#1. Eli is never very far from our puppy, Lucy.

#2. Eli's view from his car seat.

#3: Eli's view of our front yard from his car seat.

#4. Looks like Eli was watching Over the Hedge when he took this picture in our living room!

#5. I'm getting ready to change Eli's diaper here (he's on the floor).

#6. Up close and personal with Mom!

#7. Hanging out with Lucy and oldest sister Hannah.

#8. The box fan in the window (when our A/C was out).

#9. Eli's view from the pew at church. (the little boy was sitting in front of us)

#10. Taken with our Logitech webcam, which Eli loves to use. Here's a self-portrait!

Top Ten {Tuesday}: 10 Pictures My 2yo Took is original, copywritten content (unless otherwise indicated) by Stacey Nerdin for her blog Tree, Root, and Twig. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

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