jess and the gang: Callum {two years}

Weight: 28 pounds, 8 ounces

Length: 33.5 inches

tooth count: 16

Likes: throwing balls, playing with older kids, climbing on things, playing on playgrounds, locks and latches

Dislikes: sitting still, being forced to do anything he doesn't want to do, being in his stroller for too long

This kid is mr. independent. He wants to do everything on his own. And he certainly never wants to be forced to do something he doesn't want to do...it could even be something he normally likes, but if he isn't in the mood, he will let everyone know. Climbing is his jam. He likes to be high up on the play structures at the park and put a foot out like he is going to jump, then look at me and smile. Little turkey!

Callum is talking up a storm. He says so many words I couldn't even count. If I don't acknowledge a word he said the first time, he will repeat it over and over until I get it. He is now also stringing two words together, with "stop it!" being his favorite. Though he has also said things like "Connor school" or "dad car". And another favorite, "ucky poo"...haha, now you know what I say when I change him! Callum loves saying Connor and Isla's names. They are literally the two most used words he says. He says Connor's name "nonnor". It's really sweet. Besides knowing our names and grandparents names, he also knows Uncle Jeremy, as well as a couple kids from the school (Pierson and Jack). And he knows the names of practically all foods, haha! The kid takes eating very serious.

Callum will eat mostly any food, as long as he is in the mood. That is the big caveat right there, it has to be his idea. He loves him some meat. He never turns any type of meat down and will eat copious amounts of it. He also loves eggs, yogurt and bananas. Oh and noodles. He likes noodles. We offer him milk all the time, but he doesn't seem to like it at all. Speaking of milk, we are currently in the process of weaning him from nursing. This has been going on for almost two weeks and I feel like he is finally getting it. But it is so sad when he wants his "ilk" and I say no, he literally goes hysterical...but in a sad way, not a temper tantrum way. Sort of breaks my heart each time. But it's time.

Callum willingly reads with us these days. He will endlessly bring us books to read. He even calls certain books certain names, like a book with a rainbow on it he calls rainbow and a book with a bunny on it he calls bunny. In fact, I would consider the board book I Am a Bunny his current favorite book. Though his grandparents got him the book Good Night Planes recently and he really likes that one as well.

Besides enjoying playing and being outside, Callum loves planes and helicopters. That started with him spotting them outside and turned into him enjoying playing with them as well. He also loves playing with all the matchbox cars we have. Literally his favorite past time is pushing them off a bookshelf one at a time. Then he picks them back up and does it all over again. He also loves scribbling on anything when he can get his hands on any writing utensil. And balls are a huge source of entertainment for him. He is a good thrower too.

Some things I want to remember about Callum right now; how you can't walk past leaves without picking them up and throwing them. And how you can't resist picking up a stick and hitting anyone or anything near you with it. How you come to me wanting kisses when you hurt yourself and how you like giving me open mouth kisses on my lips. How you say a word over and over until I correctly acknowledge it. How you will ask for candy or otter pops ("pop") pretty much any time day or night. In fact, a piece of candy is pretty much guaranteed to make you stop crying for any reason.

I can't believe how much this kid has grown and changed in just six months! Makes this mama all sappy and emotional. And since I am already that way, I may as well make it even worse and check out Connor and Isla at the same age.