What has Hunter been up to?

Hunter, Hunter, Hunter.

I haven't written about him in a while!  This kid has the unique ability to be both the sweetest, most affectionate three year old I know one minute and then act like an unruly monkey the next.  Being three must be tough-- all these new things around you that you can't physically do or comprehend.  And then, of course, there are all the RULES.  He must feel constantly squelched by our insistance that he obey.  I can tell you that it isn't easy to raise a three year old.  Josh & I both feel the weight of trying to shape this little boy into a decent, well-mannered human who loves the Lord and seeks to help others.  But sometimes just making it through the day is a feat!  I have this image of lovingly teaching and encouraging my children to make good choices, while cuddling them on the couch and stroking their hair.   But in reality, some days it seems more like we are in a battle of wills in a wrestling ring.

Hunter is strong-willed.  He is bright and hungry to learn.  He can be so stubborn (and Josh & I know that he was really doomed to this, as both of us are stubborn!).  He is good at playing by himself and very imaginative.  He has started giving his toys unique voices and creating story lines as he plays.  He likes to set his own pace and sometimes tells me to "go away" when he is in the middle of play.  At other times he loves including Josh and me in his games.

Hunter loves to wrestle his daddy, which usually turns into an hour of burying daddy and then squealing with delight when he busts out of the pillows and blankets.  They also do a lot of sword fights and hide-n-seek.  With me, Hunter likes to build train tracks, read books,  and enjoy "baby sister" as he calls her.  We also like to cuddle when Hunter slows down enough to sit still!  He likes to twirl my hair and press his cheek to my face.  That makes my heart melt.

His verbal ability constantly makes Josh and I stand in awe.  He understands and comprehends so much more than we give him credit for.  When he starts to verbalize it, we begin to understand what an incredible memory this child has.  He associates things very well and often can tell us where we were when we heard things or saw something new.  According to Hunter, everything happened, "yesterday."

He is really into numbers right now and often talks about when he will be TEN.  He can't wait to be 10.  He says when he is 10 he will go to school, run fast, and be able to watch Toy Story 3.  When he asks for something small like fruit gummies, he asks for "A HUNDRED!"  He can almost count to 29. He usually has problems with the number 13 and 15.   But if we help him with those he can make it to 29.  Then he says "Twenty ten!"  We are still working on understanding the concept of 30, 40, 50, etc.

He is almost completely potty trained.  He still wears a pull up at night and during nap time, mostly because I haven't wanted to risk changing the sheets multiple times a day.  He does great during the day, though, and even takes himself to the potty now!  Hooray!  Hunter still has his paci at night and nap time, too.  I keep telling him that is about to come to an end.  But it is hard to take something like that away from him.  He loves it.

Hunter is really into Bob the Builder right now.  He walks around the house singing the song all the time.  We have been taking weekly trips to the library to get new Bob the Builder DVDs as well as Clifford books.  He also chose a few Dr. Seuss books this past week.  When he sees any book or movie he wants he always says, "Mommy, can we buy this at the library?!?!"

Hunter does spend a considerable amount of time in Time Out.  We do 3 minute time outs where he has to keep his hands on his knees.  He usually knows when he has to do a time out and is generally good about staying put.

(Hunter in time out) 


 He is a sweetheart.  We are thankful to have him filling our days with laughter, trains, hide-n-seek, pillow fights, peanut butter toast, sweet hugs, discipline questions, PBS, and curly red hair.