Punk: "DON'T tell me 'No', Mom!"
How do you not laugh! :)
Punk: "DON'T give me big hugs and kisses, Mom!"
Me: "It's my job, Buddy. I have to tell you 'No' sometimes and I have to give you hugs and kisses ALL the time!"

I'm thinking Punk is hearing a lot of "Don't do this; don't do that" lately because I'm hearing a lot of that back from him! He obviously really, really wants to be in control of his world.

The other day I was on the phone with my mom and Punk wanted to go out in the shop with Dadders, but, as usual, he was naked. So, we began the process of getting dressed. It was a pretty comical process as I allowed him to assert his independence and do it the way he wanted to. Getting shirt and pants on were pretty uneventful, but when I suggested we go downstairs for his shoes, he told me, in a very authoritative tone: "No, Mom. You stay here. I be right back." My mom and I laughed together while Punky fetched his shoes and brought them to me. He hid one sock in the closet and then one shoe. The whole process of getting dressed probably took about 20 minutes. It was probably funnier in real life--I just enjoy seeing him develop into a little man at 2.675 years old!

Aside from the overgrown sense of independence, he's also developing into quite the little lover. Pretty much every day his Bear turns into BabyBear and needs to be swaddled. Lately, Bear has been crying. I ask why he's crying. "He wants a mommy!" (We've been reading A Mother for Choco). I say, "I'll be his mommy and you can be his brother."
"No," I'm told. "He no wants a brother. Just a mommy." Well, okay, then.
Punk carries Bear around, wrapped in his blanky and takes good care of him, making sure he has enough to eat, takes plenty of rests, and gets his share of tickles. It's really sweet. I can't wait for my...uh, I mean Pea's...baby dolls to get here and try them out on him! :)
My faith is becoming sight in that I can see that God is certainly doing his part to prepare my little man for his new family dynamic, but I can still tell, it's going to be one doozy of a shock when the other kids do come home! Wowza!