36 Months
Thirty-six months. 1,096 days. 13,149 hours. 3,124 diapers. 104 gallons of milk. 12 states. Hundreds of tiny plastic toys lost under the couch. Thousands of tantrums. Millions of hugs and kisses. Today, Evan is 3 years old.
This age, it is awesome. And horrible. Totally horrible. But also so so awesome. Instead of feeling like I’m constantly catering to a helpless baby’s needs, I feel like I have a little friend who hangs out with me all day. He’s cooler than I am, and funnier, and cuter, and has more friends, but he still likes me best and that’s pretty neat. He gives me hugs in public and wants kisses when he has a booboo and wants to be carried sometimes and I’m going to encourage that behavior for as long as possible. Because when he’s not being adorable and cuddly he’s screaming his head off, punching me in the face and refusing to eat a single bite of his dinner. What is WITH the not eating?! He never holds still, how can he not be starving?
Evan is super friendly and will talk to anyone who talks to him. He tells the old ladies in the grocery store about how Captain Hook tried to take Pirate Mommy’s treasure and Pirate Evan came to the rescue! And he says it just like that: “To the RESCUE!” with his hands on his hips like Superman. His trains have crazy adventures with plots more complicated and twisty than a Christopher Nolan movie. How someone who’s only been alive for 36 months has so much imagination is beyond me, but I will do everything in my power to make sure he keeps on using it forever.
Because he LIKES being the center of attention, when he’s not the center of attention he gets a little…loud. Like hey guys, looks at me check this out GUYS I’m SERIOUS look at what I AM DOING RIGHT NOW MOMMY LOOK LOOK LOOK MOMMY LOOK AT MEEEEEEE. I mean, I suppose that isn’t SURPRISING, since on daily basis I spend 13 hours a day with him and only 2 with E, but sometimes I don’t WANT to talk about his boogers. Evan’s boogers, I mean. E normally keeps his boogers to himself.
Speaking of, uh, speaking, Evan says about a zillion adorable things on a daily basis. We’ve started having family dinner at the table every night and he tells us all about his day. He calls Caroline “Baby Sister” and says “Baby Sister gives the best hugs!” and “C’mon Baby Sister!” when he takes her hand and they run around the house together. He tells the dog he’s a “Good boy, Brutus Brutus.” When E gets home Evan says “Daddy, missed you ALL DAY.” He’s been talking non-stop about his birthday party when he’ll see “all my friends”. As much as I’m looking forward to the party on Saturday, I’m also looking forward to Sunday, when I’m sure Evan will have TONS to tell me about how much fun he had. It makes all the work so worth it.
Honestly, no matter how many tantrums and how much attitude he pulls he is such a good kid. I’m not even going to pretend I’m super sad about him not being a baby anymore because you know what is better than a baby? A kid who craps in the toilet.
Evan’s likes include running, kicking things, his tricycle, gymnastics (finally!), Baby Sister, dogs, kitty, helping me around the house, friends, Daddy, bathtime, sleeping, milk, coloring, talking, singing, chocolate, strawberries, dinosaurs, cheeseburgers, lemonade, books, pirates, The Disney Channel, his cousins, counting, pillows, and elevators.
Dislikes include being tired, band-aids, falling down, being ignored, spiders, and being forced to pose for pictures.
And now for some totally unbelievable photos from Evan’s last 3 birthdays:
35 Month Milestones (from BabyCenter, as usual)
Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
• Describes how two objects are used – He knows the iPhone is for Angry Birds and the TV is for Disney, so we’re good right?
• Uses three to four words in a sentence – On Wednesday, he woke me up by saying “Mommy, I got poop in my butt!” So that’s seven words.
• Names two actions (e.g., skipping, jumping) – He often demands that I RUN FASTER at Stroller Strides or that I do HIGH KNEES when we’re shopping. He’s a tiny personal trainer.
Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)
• Hops and skips – Someone last month said I should ask him to skip for the lulz…and they were right.
• Follows a two- or three-part command – He can get himself to the bathroom, take off his pants, flush and wash his hands all by himself. It’s the BEST SKILL ever to emerge.
• Separates fairly easily from parents – Yes, he likes us OK but realizes other people still fall for his “I’m so cute give me a cookie” routine. The real test will be preschool, which I was super excited about but now I’m dragging my feet.
• Rides a tricycle – Yes, on flat ground. And now he has an awesome bike helmet thanks to his Mormor.
Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
• Balances on each foot for three seconds – Yes. The kid can walk the beam at gymnastics too.
• Gets dressed without help – He got caught in his shirt trying to pull it over his head (of course I immediately rushed to help him without laughing even a tiny bit) and it was kind of traumatic so now he won’t take off his own shirt. But he CAN dress/undress himself.
Happy Birthday my wonderful, special boy!
Tags: 36 months, baby evan, big kid, birthday, evan, photography, toddler evan
Happy Birthday, Evan! :)
Happy birthday to our wonderful grandson! Wow, what a change over three short years!
I’ve said this so many times before, but when did our babies get so big! I too love this age. I thought I loved the baby stage, but this stage is so much better.
And what’s with the band-aid hatred? Rory hates band-aids too and if anyone offers one when she’s hurt she cries even harder and gets all panicked.
Happy Birthday, Evan! I hope it’s full of laughter! On a side note, Suzanne, I just connected that our son’s birthdays are only a day apart… which is funny because I started reading your blog because Evan reminded me of my son, and it makes me excited for all the fun things to come! Kai’s birthday is tomorrow, and he’ll be one! And we’re having a party on Saturday, too! Little kid birthdays are pretty much awesome! Have lots of fun!
Oh, it seems like just yesterday I was asking you to please not go into labor in my living room.
Happy birthday Evan!
Happy Birthday Evan!!! You guys are lucky to have such an incredible and handsome little man! I can’t believe it’s been three years already! I started reading your blog back when you were pregnant with Evan and I was only considering having a baby! And now Evan is a three year old KID!
Ooh, he’s getting so big! As always he’s a major cutie, but he’s starting to get that big boy face and my heart is melting over here.
this —–> ” I’m not even going to pretend I’m super sad about him not being a baby anymore because you know what is better than a baby? A kid who craps in the toilet.”
totally, lol!! Happy birthday Evan!
no, wait a minute, Evan is 3?????? How did that happen? I got a bit all teary eyed looking at his birthday pictures He is such a wee man now. Gorgeous. Yippee!! Happy Birthday Evan x
LOVE the helmet Evan!! Happy birthday big guy!
Happy Birthday, Evan! He is such an incredible little guy, and I hope we get to meet him soon :)
First off, before I forget, I need to know where you got his “Mike Mulligan” shirt! We love that BOOK!!
Three scares me, I’ll be honest. It’s been the most challenging age at our house so far. I would just say if you’re a drinker, stock up on wine and you’ll all do fine. And if you’re not, you might wanna start… ;-P
He’s adorable. Happy Birthday to him!!
p.s. K barely eats lately too and she’s 2.5. But it doesn’t seem to phase her one bit…
Hi there Suzanne. Thanks for such a beautiful post. Happy birthday to your little king Evan.
Happy birthday not-so-baby-anymore Evan!! Calvin has the same Mike Mulligan shirt, it’s his very favorite. I have to hide it if I want him to wear something else! He was thrilled to see Evan in it (after I assured him it wasn’t his own shirt).
He’s so adorable! My son is 21 months, so its awesome to see how they get bigger but stay the same in some ways. Where did you find that awesome Mike Mulligan shirt btw? That book was written in our neighborhood so we are big fans.
Happy Birthday to Evan! And what a fabuolously charming 7 word sentence!