Been a long time since I last wrote an entry. Here's a summary in bullets, before I try to print all my entries for safe keeping.

• He turned 3 on the 16th of January 2006.
• He had éclair au chocolat as his "cake". Was really sick then, I couldn't bake him anything - not even get up the bed to get him a glass of orange juice. Pathetic. He did have a good video clip when he's trying to blow the candles.
• He went to Geneva at the end of Jan with his dad to attend a baptism. It's his 5th trip out of France (others were Philippines, England, Germany, US).
• He stayed with my in-laws for almost a month in February. Well, someone had to take care of him during my sorry pregnant state.
• Eventually, his mom joined him - they got to spend Valentine's day together and dad, who was left in Paris, sent flowers.
• He's such a bilingually talkative kid now.
• Somewhere along the way, I realize that his capacity to read letters/numbers (whether it's in two languages or not) is not the norm for his age...so I must be doing something right. I'm sure it's the same thing with his tendency to identify countries through flags and cars through colors and brands.
• I remember the first few weeks of March as being terrible in terms of dealing with his character. He's not a "saint" anymore. I think it has something to do with seeing his mother weak for 2 months...he probably thinks he can do whatever he likes now. And my ILs had a different way of raising him. But as I've gained my strength - the authority figure is back. He's ok now.
• I enrolled him for school - classes start in September. Six months to perfect his potty training.
• Fast forward to this past week...he started developing the fear of the wind. It got very windy in La Défense and we were strolling with JL. Then suddenly he cries and asks to be taken in my arms aka "carry me, mom" (which I physically couldn't and shouldn't right now). I thought he was just tired. We found out later that his imagination tells him the wind is going to blow us away...(note to self: don't let him watch superman now). He was really convinced that even at night, he'd tell me "I'm afraid of the wind...maman et papa...flying in the sky." So now, he refuses to go out for walks...unless I put him in his stroller (he prefers the bigger one too...to make sure it's heavier and more wind-proof).
• Saturday, April 1. He took his toilet seat and put it over the adult one. He sat and pretended to pee. I'm used to that (normally, nothing comes out but I let him do it. I'm one of those who believe never to force kids to potty train -- they'll do it when they're ready). Anyway, this day, something else happens. He pooped. Congratulations! First toilet performance at home. (He pees in the toilet sometimes when he's in daycare). Although it wasn't his intention - in fact he was surprised to see °2 in there, I congratulated him and told him he did a great job.
• Yesterday...I remember getting mad at him several times for touching my stuff or drawing on the bed. After releasing my anger, I just felt like crying in the kitchen (hubby was there to console me). I hate being angry, and I hate to be the "bad guy" - but it's part of parenting.
• Today, April 3. He went to the toilet to pee, without telling me. This time, he didn't sit down. I think he tried it the "boy's" way. But having not completely removed his pampers, and the seat is also a bit too high for him, he ended up spraying part of it on his shirt, and the rest on the floor. Even though I have to clean up the mess....I think it's a positive situation. Shows his independence, willingness to do it, and recognition of the difference between girl and boy pee positions.
• Hours later, he'd just visit the toilet and flush. That's 3 liters of water flushed for nothing. I explained that we flush after pee and poop. He lingered inside the restroom (which is separate from our bathroom) and I was afraid he's going to do something naughty like put the roll of tissue paper in the toilet. So I asked him to go out and I locked it from outside. Big mistake. Next thing I know, he comes to me to say he pooped. Seeing he has no pullups on, and the toilet is locked....the only conclusion is that he left it/them somewhere else. I was right...he did it just in front of the restroom. I imagine the scenario (the way CSI experts do)...lil guy felt n°2 coming...went to the toilet..but it's locked. Too late, time to do it. Then calls his mom. Again...the intention was there. Or maybe I'm being too positive with this potty (lack of training) thing. Thank goodness it's an easy to clean type of...droppings. LMAO.