Over the years I have been pretty spotty with the blog. I like to post when I’m able to find the time, not because I actually like blogging that much, but I love being able to look back at things. I like having easy, searchable access to memories, trips and the moments with my kids. I like to record what they’re doing at different milestones but I’m not SUPER committed and often I miss some. BUT, I posted an update on Colt at this age and I want to do one on you too, Finn. 2 years 9 months may seem like a totally random point but it’s actually such a FUN age – I am constantly wanting to capture all that you’re saying and doing so here goes!
Finn developments: Precious Fincher, you are an absolute BLAST. 
How can I put your personality into words? You are a JOY and a challenge and hilarious and a mischief maker and through it all you just have this X factor. Whatever IT is, you have IT. You light up a room and totally know how to play to the crowd. You know you’re funny and can always make me laugh – even when you also make me crazy! 
Although you are generally well behaved, you’re more defiant than Colt ever was and I always wonder how much of that is just your personality, how much of it is your big brother egging you on, how much is just being a second-born…? You’re comfortable in your own skin. It’s like you just don’t care AT ALL what anyone else thinks of you or your decisions. (I’d love to borrow a little bit of that!) Your dad and I can’t quite figure out what motivates you and your behavior. You don’t seem super motivated by discipline or consequences. You’re not really motivated by treats or rewards. You just seem to be your own person, motivated most by whatever is going on in your own little mind. It makes things fun and interesting and challenging. 
If you’re not responding to us in utter defiance then you will often seem to be OVERJOYED with whatever we have presented to you. “Finn, do you want to go to the park?” “I DO Mama YES I DO THANK YOU so much Mama!” You have GREAT inflection in your voice and eyebrows to match. I wish I could bottle that up. 
You are SUCH a talker. I call you our little narrator – always talking about whatever is going on around us. You talk more and in more detail and color than Colt did at this age but I think part of that is just keeping up with Colt and all of our conversations. Some recent quotations from the past couple days:
“Wait for me, Momma! I am coming! Let’s walk together and hold hands. You don’t want to miss me!”
(After telling you that you should ask me before turning on the hose in the backyard) “No thanks Momma, but thank you for asking.” 
“Daddy, Daddy. I have keh-stion bout dat page. Thas the chimney.” (“Yes. So what’s the question?”) “I don know. I jus said it.” (“But that was a statement.”) “No, thas a CHIMNEY!” 
You speak pretty clearly and often opt not to use contractions (“No I do NOT like that!”). The one sound that you really struggle with is the L sound which makes saying your sister’s name a little funny. Lillian has become “Yih-yian” but of course it’s adorable.
You are confident but also sometimes like to pretend to be shy.
You’re VERY snuggly and always love to cuddle and be close. 
You will take my face in your sweet, soft little hands when you talk to me. You sit beside me at our dinner table always try to touch me and rub my back during meals which is sweet but also a little yucky since your are always covered in food. 
You are BEST BUDS with your big brother Colt. You copy EVERYTHING that he does. You love to play with him and do whatever he is doing.
You are still working on learning your ABC’s. Right now you know A-H, M, O, Z and maybe a handful of other ones. I think you definitely COULD learn it all right now but I never work on it with you because…#middlechild. That being said I look back and see that Colt had already mastered the alphabet AND all the letter sounds and we definitely aren’t there yet with you. You can count to 12 and are good at counting objects when they are fewer than 10.
You love to dance and have awesome moves that absolutely crack us up. My favorite is your robot.
You’re actually really good with all music. Although we listen to several different radio stations you have learned tons of the songs and when a song comes on you ask, “Is dis Yights Down Yo?” (“Is this Lights Down Low?”) You also remember song lyrics and are pretty good at singing songs on key on your own.
You have NOT mastered the scooter yet and this is a big bummer. I was hoping that when Lillian arrived you and Colt would both be able to scoot to/from Colt’s preschool but maybe you’ll be there by next fall. For now it seems like the idea of steering just has not connected with you and you basically just head straight off the path, often falling and then you ask to be pushed in the stroller. 
If we’re on a big trip we’ll use the double stroller but generally I have you walk because I think the activity and exercise is a good thing. Usually Colt smokes us but sometimes he slows down and lets you run beside him as he scoots and you two just laugh together and this is adorable. 
You love puzzles and as of a few months ago, you’re suddenly really good at them. I think the biggest one I’ve given you to do is 30 pieces but you can do these in your sleep so I know you could do more. You also love reading books, playing chase, building with magna-tiles, throwing rocks into water and playing in your little house in our backyard. 
Health: Praise God for your continued health and growth. You’re about 33 lbs, 37.5 ” tall wearing 3T – 4T clothes and size 6 diapers. 
You have THE MOST BEAUTIFUL blue eyes. They are a super light, crystal clear blue. And beautiful dark lashes you lucky duck. 
Your hair is still fine, almost baby hair, and very blonde. You have the fairest skin of the whole family – definitely showing your Irish roots. 
Your dad and I describe your body-type as sturdy. You’re not really chunky, just THICK. 
We have not attempted potty training with you (I’m still recovering from my last trauma of potty training Colt and am in denial that I actually have to do it again) but you do pee on the potty a few times / day. I’m hoping to tackle it sometime this summer when we’ll spend a lot more time outside (and in less clothing!). 
Feeding: You are a good eater and love to eat. Your favorites are blueberries (and all berries), oranges, cereal with milk, oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, eggs, avocado, hummus, PBJs, cheese, sweet potatoes, broccoli, green beans, pasta, peas, salmon and anything that falls in the “snack” or “treat” category. You eat chicken and turkey every day but you’re a little less enthusiastic about it. You and Colt have very different eating styles. Colt doesn’t want any of his food to touch. He starts with his least favorite food and methodically works his way towards his favorite food (often coming home from preschool with his fruit snacks or pretzels because he ran out of time before he was able to get to his favorite) and when given sufficient time, Colt will not leave anything on his plate. You don’t mind foods mixing, you’ll get your hands (and face!) a little dirty and you eat food at random, grabbing whatever you want in the moment. You can be two bites away from finishing (and earning dessert) but if you decide you’re done, you just stop eating and are totally happy not to get a treat. 
Sleeping: Lots of changes in this category. On Christmas night we moved you from the nursery and the crib into Colt’s room and into a big-boy bed. You actually moved into the bed that Colt had been using which was MY grandfather’s old “youth bed” from when he was 5 years old! It’s in between a toddler bed and a twin and has little rails on the sides. You LOVE being in the same room with Colt and you love your bed but this change was not without some heartburn – at least for Mom and Dad. You and Colt can certainly get after each other during the day but when it’s night time and you’re supposed to be sleeping (or eating dinner or getting ready for bed) then inevitably you two get along GREAT. So great that you Can’t. Stop. Playing. We would have been happy for the two of you to chit chat, maybe play a little and then go to bed but the problem is that you guys only knew how to escalate. You would start out by talking, then you’d go over to Colt’s bed then you’d be getting out books then dumping out bins of toys, turning on the lights and jumping on the beds. Colt was more obedient if we stressed the importance of going to bed quietly but you seemed impossible. We tried lots of different strategies and ultimately we realized that you just weren’t tired at bedtime. I tried shortening your nap but the past few weeks you were protesting taking a nap at all so finally we just pulled the trigger and gave up the nap. This helps at bedtime and we are appreciating the newfound freedom in our schedule of not having the afternoon nap but it has brought it’s own set of struggles through the day. You have been melting down more in the evenings and I feel like you’re tougher throughout the day too so not exactly sure we’ve figured out what to do… This transition time when you’re outgrowing your nap but still kind of need it AND just being 2 and a half is…interesting. 🙂 
Schedule: Your current schedule is:
7:45 Wake up
7:50 Clock turns yellow – get dressed, brush teeth
8:15 Breakfast: fruit and yogurt or cereal (weekend pancakes!)
9:00 Take Colt to preschool then morning activity
— We had been doing a gymnastics class that you loved. Now we have my women’s small group on Wednesdays and we do a music class on Thursdays.
12:00 Lunch: PBJ sandwich or turkey roll ups & cheese. Fruit, etc.
12:40 Go to pick Colt up from preschool.
1:00-5:00 We used to come home after school for your nap but now we’re taking advantage of the freedom for afternoon adventures to the park, nature center, etc.
5:15-6:00 We usually do cartoons before dinner so that I can get a dinner together, feed Lillian and have you and Colt to wind down a bit.
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Bath
7:45 Bedtime routine: PJs, brush teeth, read devotional and another book or poems if we have time then lights out. Dad always does bath and bedtime if he’s home and I use that time to do dishes (and I feed Lillian at 7:30).
Mama’s Thoughts: 
Oh, Fincher! My little rascal. My buddy. My love. You are a bright, shining light in my life. Every day with you is a tremendous blessing – you bring loads of joy and laughter and FUN. Although this age is sometimes a challenge, I truly don’t want to miss a moment.
Your dad and I were talking about you the other night – how we see something so special in you, Finn. We see a spark that is unique and wonderful. We can already tell you have such an incredible spirit and so many gifts to offer this world. But there is still so much to discover about you. What will captivate you, Little One? What will excite you and get you out of bed each day? Surely this changes with the seasons and the seasons of life, but what will be the thread that runs through it all? We look at you in wonder and, as your parents, we are praying and dreaming that God would capture your attention and affection and that He would use you for His kingdom and His glory.
You are fun right now – so freakin fun – but I always say that you are going to be an absolute BLAST to parent over the years. You keep us on our toes for sure, but the JOY you bring is unmatched. I love who you are today and am SO excited to watch and see what God has in store for you and who you are going to become.
Thank you, Lord, for putting me on this awesome journey with this awesome boy. I love you, Little Finn. 
You also like to do your business while you’re feeding – especially the blow outs. So, thanks…
Your first Nats game!
At this point I am feeling good and am basically recovered from the birth. With the boys I hung onto about 5 extra lbs for the 13 months that I nursed but with you I seem to be keeping a little more. I’m trying to be patient with myself and my body as the “return” process just feels a little slower this third time around.
Jeans & A T-Shirt 