21 months

D still dislikes taking a nap...when he just can't sleep, he repeats my question "why can't you sleep"
Potty training shows some success. At home we try to let him roam without a diaper and he pees on the potty or toilet most of the time. There are some accidents, though. One day, he decided to go out without a diaper. We went to Junibacken and I constantly asked him whether he needed to pee. One half day later, he only had one accident and peed on a toilet twice. It was better than I expected.

In the museum, he had a short conversation with a stranger.
D: a red car, see?
S: yes
D: a blue car
S: aha, a blue car
D: which one do you like
D: it's empty inside. Nothing
S: what should be inside
D: people

In the elevator, D saw an old man who tried to be friendly with him. He quickly went to the back of the elevator and hid in a corner, looking at the man with scrutiny.
But when a young, beautiful woman entered, D jumped with excitement and ran to the back as well to hide. But this time, he smiled at the woman shyly XD

A way to avoid tantrums and foster autonomy is to give children choices. They will think that they are in charge while they actually choose something you want for them. Not too many but usually two choices are good. But when I let D choose between two options, he sometimes says: "how about xxx a third option?" He does not give in and choose an option given by you if what he actually wants is something else! 

I felt like he has reached the developmental milestones of a three year old. Specifically, he can sort shapes and distinguish colors. He remembers what he did yesterday and other memorable events (like eating an ice cream). He speaks in 3-4 word sentences. He is linguistically so much more advanced than children of his age. In terms of physical strength and mobility, he is more limited. He can't walk up or down the stairs with alternating feet. He doesn't care about swings or other exercises with fast movements. He rarely runs or make strange movements.

Although becoming a parent is easy, being a good parent is the hardest thing that requires a lot of discipline, patience, devotion and compassion. A mom with three successful sons shared her advice and I completely agree with all of them. Write it down to remind myself:

1. don't compare your child to other children
2. no materials as rewards
3. no timetable/schedule separating fun and study (mix them and ask questions to stir up their curiosity)
4. no after-school classes to improve grades (grades are not the most important things in the world)
5. let them choose
6. let them date during college/high schools (experience love, teach sexual education)
7. don't scold/hit, but explain, make them understand
8. don't lie to them / do what you promise
9. spend time with them
10. don't say "wait a moment" too often or ignore them when you are busy. put away your work or turn of the stove for a moment and respond

20 months

Dillon's life is so colorful now since we moved to Stockholm. There are so many well equipped playgrounds and children friendly museums...we haven't done visiting all after 1,5 months living here.
Some funny things he said:
Dillon was eating a sausage and said: it's not spicy. it's fine. It's tasty but it's sour.

Dillon was trying to fall asleep but couldn't: Mama sing row row row?
Mama: Dillon sings.
Dillon: (huff) no, I'm tired.

Dillon was walking in a park: What's that sound? Let's have a look.

He is a bit scared of the dark and doesn't want to go to the bedroom since it's usually dark there because of closed curtain.
He has good memory and remembers where he ate his first whole cone of ice cream. When we walked past the bench we sat at he cheerfully said: ice cream?