Two

This little boy!

100% cute and 100% trouble.

How is it possible that you've turned 2?

What's new with you, little man?

To say you keep us on our toes would be an understatement.  You are all boy and always on the go.  You love to run, and you're quite fast.  You love to get going at top speed and then look down at your feet in wonder.  It's almost like you're thinking how awesome it is to move that fast.  You love to climb.  We've found you on top of your dresser, sitting on the window sill in your room, at the top of the girls' loft bed and on the kitchen counter.  You have no fear which is probably why we've been to urgent care three times this past year - the most recent time being on your birthday. Here you are waiting to get your head glued back together once again.

 I am increasingly thankful for great insurance as it seems that with you, we will definitely get our money's worth!

You have now graduated out of your crib and into a big boy bed.  Much to my own personal dismay, this was a very necessary transition as you've been climbing out of your crib for many months.  Mama was even more dismayed when you combined this talent with the ability to open your bedroom door.  Ay yi yi!  Mama was not prepared.  We often find you sitting in the hallway with your blanket and a book just listening to the goings on of the evening.  

You are a people person.  I like to call you a one man parade.  You treat a shopping cart like your own personal float waving and blowing kisses to all who pass by. You love your sisters dearly, especially your biggest sister.  After your nap, you run immediately to the back door and yell outside "Cowa!" until she notices and acknowledges you.  The next item on your agenda is to go and visit our neighbor, Auntie Linda, as soon as you think no one is looking.  You will run at top speed to the side of the fence, sneak over and slip through the doggie door which I'm sure you believe was put there expressly for you.  It's an extra treat when Mr. Rick is there, too.  You love to give him a big kiss right on the lips, an action that understandably unnerves him a little.  No one could accuse you of being shy with your affection.

You love books.  You will actually sit still and listen to book after book.  Then, you'll take those books and practice "reading" them to yourself.  It is so much fun to listen to you because even though your vocabulary is limited, your inflection and intonation always draws me into your story.  

You love to eat.  I joke that my children are hobbits.  And, like hobbits, they eat breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, lunch, afternoon tea (snack), dinner and supper.  When it is dinner time, you will get so excited that you will scale your high chair in order to get to the victuals.  Much to my surprise, you love spicy food.  You will chow down on a spicy meal like your father and I do.  In fact, today at lunch, you noshed on our friend's jalapeno chips for as long as you could stand it.  Other favorite foods include yogurt, apples, clif bars, pizza and cheetos. 

Little man, you love your boots.  You have worn those little boots out.  It brings so much joy to my heart when you wear those because they are one of the few things that all three of you kids have worn.  You definitely love them the most as you will actually sleep in them.  The first night you wanted to wear them to bed, Daddy came in after you were asleep to take them off.  Surely, it can't be comfortable to sleep in them!  But, you woke up in a fit of fury at 3 am when you discovered they were off.  You sat on the floor crying and holding the one boot you were able to find until I helped you put that book back on.  

I'm biased, but you are a total cutie-pie!  

You are very expressive.  You will intently converse with someone even if you don't quite have the vocabulary to make your exact intentions known.  You know enough words to get most of your needs met.  Some of the words we hear most often are mama, Cowa, yogurt, cracker, pizza (papa), puppy, bath, no and night-night (usually heard together).  Your phrases include go bye-bye, you okay? and luhhhh (love) you.  

What can I say?  Nothing could have prepared me for having a boy.  You will certainly give me the most gray hairs during these early years, but you more than compensate for it with your sweetness and affection.  We are so very thankful for our handful of a little man!