"i got skillzzzz"

so, although we have been posting a lot these days about lizzie and how much she is changing (yes, she can crawl now, and yes, she turned 6 mos old just 5 days ago!), ezra has been growing and learning a LOT, too! his pediatrician said that he would likely "regress" developmentally after lizzie's arrival. he has done no such thing! ezra shares a lot in the video of his "developmental tasks" he has reached during the last few months where his independence has SWELLED! i will highlight a few more here:

• no longer sits in his high chair to eat ("that's for missy!")
• stands to pee ("just like daddy!")
• can get dressed "all by myself!"
• can make his bed "all by myself!"
• can put on his own shoes - even tennis - "all by myself!"
• can do forward rolls/flips
• can bathe himself, as in from start to finish ... hop in tub, soap up, wash hair, rinse off, put all bath toys away, get out, dry off and put on his pajamas - "all by myself!" ... a HUGE help for when we just have one parent @ home putting two kiddos to bed @ the same time
• can make his bed "all by myself!"
• can buckle his carseat straps "all by myself!"
• can put all his toys away "all by myself!"
• likes to pick out his own clothing ... lizzie's, too if we are feeling generous. definitely has opinions on what matches and often declares, "ooh! that's cute!" a few times i've come home to lizzie wearing definitive winter clothes in the heat of summer. apparently, dad has felt more generous than i ever have in terms of ezra's creative dressing of little sister bent. :)
• can carry items that are precarious or might spill quite carefully - "fingers on top thumbs on bottom" - yes, the montessori way, and yes, he mumbles this phrase to himself over and over while he is hunched over walking ever so slowly and carefully with his object :)
• as of 07/03/2011 he officially was night trained! (glory hallelujah!) he has the occasional accident here or there, but those are rare indeed (maybe 10 times total in the last 3 mos!)
• we are still waiting for him to wipe himself after #2. i'm sure he could do it, but honestly, i'm not a fan of skid marks, so i'm really fine with being involved til he can do it better. :)
• can turn on lights in dark rooms by using a book
• can open the front screen door to holler @ college students passing by ... "what's your name?! i'm EZRA!!!" (cutie) not gonna lie, this new skill def makes me nervous that he might run out without our knowing so we've been having LOTS of convos about that one.
• will bring mommy her work phone when it's ringing and will even trouble shoot how to get it (ie drag a stool) if it is up high. if i miss it, he'll say, "hurumph. maybe you should text them back or something, mommy." REALLY?!?! REALLY?!?!? coming from a 3-year-old?!?! THIS is disturbing considering I just starting texting @ the ripe ol' age of 31!!!
• will fix his breakfast ... measure oatmeal, stir, pop in microwave, get it out, add milk, take to table, etc ... "all by myself!" you have to admit. that is pretty darn impressive!

clearly, he is loving being three and is doing GREAT. we have been setting goals around the house and awarding stickers on a chart for his 'sponsabilities as he calls them. :) he completed his first chart in june and earned Red from Cars. we are on chart # 4 or 5 already now...on his way to a new puzzle. (yes, he LOVES puzzles. i came home from work today, and he had completed every single last blessed puzzle that we own in our entire house all on his own ... i basically had trouble walking anywhere in the living room without stepping on one of his puzzles!) currently we are working on school naps (yes, those have been a challenge, but shouldn't they be if you're crammed into a room with 21 other 3-5 year olds!?), manners, making the bed, picking up toys before nap & bedtime, and putting away the silverware. he LOVES the positive reinforcement!