Canon at 2 years and 9 months

I haven't done an update on Canon lately, so I thought I would document some things for my own records. 

Canon continues to be a busy busy boy. He is full of energy and has a fun and infectious personality. He is still a strong willed child which presents challenges in parenting, but we are praying we will help channel this personality for the good. He is very social and loves to be around other people. He is also very compassionate and sensitive towards others. Canon is still a daddy's boy and wants to be just like him.

Here are a few other things about Canon.

• Potty training,
• We started July 1st and it's going okay. Some days are better than others. When we are at home all day it goes really well, but when we are out he a lot of the times just pees in his diaper (he still wears diapers when we go out at this point). The first week was the hardest and he didn't have the best attitude, but now he isn't fighting it as much. We have talked a lot about having a good attitude even when we don't want to do certain things (good reminder for me). He has been getting stickers every time he goes and we put them on a train chart. He also gets one piece of sour patch candy after he goes, but only if he asks for it and he hasn't been asking for them lately. Once he fills up a chart he gets a dollar prize from Target or the Dollar Store. The other day we were at Target picking out a dollar prize and he spotted a nicer toy (a B toy dog guitar) and wanted it. So, I told him if he could fill up two sticker charts and do it with a good attitude he could earn the guitar. He earned that guitar in a week and a half and did it with a great attitude! Yesterday we went and purchased it. We aren't doing any type of boot camp potty training. That really isn't my personality nor do I think Canon would strive too well with that approach. We are doing what works for us and I think it is going pretty well. 
• Loves to swim and started swimming lesson yesterday (July 17th). 
• We are doing a child/parent class. It is a little below his level, but it is good for him because it is disciplining him to do things for 30 minutes for 2 weeks that we don't necessarily make him do every time we go swimming. He is practicing blowing bubbles in the water as he uses his arms and legs to kick while I hold on to him. Today he went under water which he doesn't like. He is learning how to float and how to crawl out of the side of the deep end of the pool. If anything the lessons are great practice and getting him comfortable with the water. We are both enjoying it. Canon for sure has his opinions if he wants to do something or not, but he is doing a great job so far!
• Loves anything transportation - trains, tractors, airplanes, trucks, etc. 
• Can say anything and everything and pronounces things pretty perfectly most of the time. I do love when he says things wrong though, because he doesn't do it very often.
• He is very witty and says the funniest things.
• Still loves anything music especially the drums. He drums on everything, and I mean everything. He even uses corn on the cob to drum on the cabinets. That was a mess to clean up. :)
• Is so excited for baby sister to be here. Talks about her daily.
• We have the best conversations at night when we are praying and singing before bed. Yes, we still rock him before bed (not to sleep, just to read, pray, and sing. He asks hard questions about God and he will not let you forget to pray before bed.
• Loves to be outside.
• Still sleeps with his blanket and doggie along with Mr. E and lots of different stuffed animals and blankets. And he does notice if you take one out. :)
• Is still a good eater. He loves any and every type of fruit you can give him. Between Canon and me we can not keep enough fruit in this house. I go at least two times a week to get fresh fruit. 
• Has an awesome memory and reminds us of things we did last summer. 
• Is very grumpy when he wakes up in the morning and after his nap, even when he gets really good sleep. It's almost comical some days and other days not so much. :)
• Wearing 2T pants, 3T shirts, size 7 and 8 in shoes, size 5 diapers

We love our little boy and look forward to how the Lord is shaping and growing him.