4 Years

Oh my, we have a four year old!!! Four actually doesn't sound that old to me but Reed has definitely started to look "older" lately and much more like a kid than a toddler. For most of the last year I have referred to him as a "three-nager" and I hope this moody, defiant, stubborn stage is passed because I really enjoy the times when he has good behavior and is a sweetheart. Reed's vocabulary is still astonishing and even more impressive are his problem solving skills. He is pretty good with a soccer ball and can run fairly quickly but throwing, catching, or hitting a ball are not things he does well. He is still fairly cautious, especially when compared to his daredevil brother and generally pretty sensitive and emotional. Reed does much better with knowing things ahead of time and changes to our schedule are pretty much the end of the world. He definitely challenges me every day but has taught me more in his four years that I could have ever imagined and we love this guy so very, very much!!!

 

 

Interesting Facts

Weight: 35.5 lbs

Height: 40.5 in

Clothing Size:  3T and 4T tops, 4T pajamas, 3T shorts (but I did squeeze him into a couple pairs of 2Ts most of the Summer), and 3T and 4T pants. He's still a skinny minnie but has longish legs so the 3Ts are a bit short.

Shoe Size: 10

Reed likes: Playing outside, especially running, playing soccer, washing cars, and digging in the dirt. Screen time favorites are Super Why, Shaun the Sheep, The Magic Schoolbus, watching Dad play Mario Bros video games, and any movie we'll let him watch. He also loves building with legos, taking care of his cuddly guys, reading books, making up his own games, playing any board game, doing puzzles, craft projects, baking, and science experiments. Reed has a lot of pretend friends and loves making up stories about them.

Reed dislikes: Not getting his way (duh), getting ready for school, days when I don't let him choose his outfit, cleaning up, not getting someone's full attention, and being awaken.

 

Nicknames: Reedster, Reedcito, Buddy, Monkey, Reed-man,  Darlin', and Reeder.

Food: If the Monkey was asked to pick what he wanted for dinner his choice would probably be either pizza, hamburgers and French fries, or steak, lobster, and pasta. He loves fruit, hates beans and vegetables, and likes most meats and grains. He devours any dessert put in front of him and is usually willing to try new dishes as long as they aren't vegetables. He is allergic to dairy, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs.

Communication: Reed is still a rock start in the communication department. He is now even using past, present, and future tenses properly. Probably one of my favorite things he does is narrate what he's doing in the third person ("now he reaches for the door knob, opens the door, and he finds his room is full of toys"). Reedcito is still a chatter box and while I thought he talked non-stop before we have realized there must have been quiet moments because now when he's walking around or trying to figure something out he does this humming chant thing. Reed is very inquisitive but thankfully has stopped asking "why" every five minutes. He knows all upper and lower case letters and the sounds they make and can sound out most 2-5 letter words if asked. He is learning to write letters, specifically R, but isn't quite there yet.

Favorite Color(s): Pink and Purple 

Best Friends: "Best of my pretend are Elsa and Anna and I don't have any Best friends that are real because I just love everybody"

How Reed is sleeping:  He goes to bed around 7:30 pm and sleeps until between 6:00 and 7:00am most mornings. He sleeps in a twin bed, with a night light and sound machine as well as 2-3 quilts, girl soft sheep, Pooh, and however many other cuddly guys he can cram in with him. He had quiet time most afternoons for an hour but rarely falls asleep. Naps in the afternoon mean about 45 minutes of "reading" to himself at night before he falls asleep.

 

Milestones over the last six months:

Reed can now go potty independently but I still assist with the wiping job

He got to go on his first airplane

Reed started preschool

Reed-man learned basic swimming stroke skills

He attended his first baby shower

The Monkey dropped his nap for the most part

Reed had his first Birthday party with non-family kids