Callen 2 1/2

Being the 25th today, Callen is technically 2 yrs 7 mos, but oh well. Here is 2 1/2 year update on my favorite little man.
Sleep: Sleeps from 8pm - 6:30am, nap from 1:30-3:30. He sleeps with his tractor blankie, scout, green pillow, a bottle of water, books, and an assortment of trains and cars

Food: He is a pretty good eater, favorite foods are breakfast cereal, pancakes, waffles, applesauce, cereal bars, granola bars, fruit snacks, fruit leathers, smoothies, yogurt, chicken nuggets, pizza, spaghetti, peanut butter. He almost always will try dinner, and will usually eat it all. In general, he doesn't love fresh cut fruit (weird I know) or vegetables unless they are mixed in like a casserole or pot pie. He does like caesar salad though. He likes to eat peanut butter by the spoonful and is known for actually climbing into the cupboard to acquire some PB. He also loves ketchup and could eat that by the spoonful if we let him.
Characters: Still lovin all things Thomas the tank engine, Lightning McQueen and Mater, Dora and Diego
Toys: Plays with train table daily, lately has been liking playing in Amara's room with her dollhouse. He loves toy cars, construction vehicles and PLAYDOUGH. He also really likes doing 24 pc puzzles.

Callen has a contagious laugh. He will find something so funny, he will giggle and laugh till he can't breathe anymore. He is constantly on the go. Him and Amara chase each other around our house, laughing hysterically. He adores Amara and wants to do everything she does.

In public places, such as community centers and gyms with tons of kids that he has never met, he stays more to himself. He doesn't follow or talk to kids that he doesn't know if there is a big group. But in a smaller setting, with fewer kids, he is very talkative and will chat with other kids. He is NOT a follower by any means unless it comes to following Amara. He will follow Amara anywhere, but not anyone else. He would rather do his own thing. He is a very independent individual. He knows what he wants and doesn't like to be told otherwise. He really is happy most of the time. Unless he doesn't want to do something, then it is not happening. When he doesn't want to do something, he will let you know, loud and clear.

He has always been a good sleeper but lately, over the last month or two, he has been sometimes waking in the middle of the night because, "a fish bit his finger", "a tiger bit his hand", or most recently, "a crab bit his chin." He has these dreams more than once too. I wonder if he is just dreaming more and when he wakes up, he is just disoriented.

There is no stopping this kid if there is something he can run through. Crunchy leaves, snow, rain puddles. He will find them. And run through them.

My sweet boy. He gives hugs and kisses and says, "Mommy, I love you". I love him with every beat of my heart and will never stop telling him that. There won't ever be a day when he tells me that he loves me that my heart won't melt. I am SO lucky to be this little boys Mommy.