A letter to my boy on his second birthday...

My sweet sweet boy. It is hard to believe you are two years old already. It seems like just yesterday that you were born, screaming and "anointing" the doctor and nurses upon your arrival, and then placed in my arms - snuggled warm against my chest.

You have grown and changed so much over the last year - and went from the toddler who was barely walking to the little boy who runs every chance he gets, skips, jumps, and hops - just for the fun of it.

At two years old you are energetic and the comment I hear most often about you is "he's cute as a button and so WIDE open!" And they are right - you are indeed cute - and your smile is infectious. You can brighten my day by looking at me with your mischievous grin that melts my heart. I think because of that mommy and daddy have been more lenient with you than your older sister...

And you are a boy full of energy and vitality. Why walk when you can run, right? Your gross motor skills are amazing - and you can accomplish things that children a year older than you cannot. You can climb just about anything - and often do - earning your nickname of "monkey man" around our house.

You also like your quiet times (few and far between and typically when you are tired or sleepy) where you will sit in my lap and read books. You love Curious George books, as well as the Usborne book series "that's not my ...." You can point out almost everything that we ask you to in your picture books, and your vocabulary is coming along well.

You love your big sister, and want to emulate everything that she does. If she is coloring - you want to color with her (on her page.) If she giggles at something she sees - you start giggling too. If she's trying to play with something - you want to play with it to (whether or not she wants you go join in or not...) and you are finally getting to the age where you can play together. It is so much fun to see you interact with your big sister, and I can't wait to see how you play and care for your little brother when he makes his arrival in about eight weeks.

You absolutely adore your daddy - and prefer him to anyone else in the world. If daddy is around, mommy won't do - which is okay with me. I love to see you love your daddy, and him love you - the father/son bond is so amazing to witness.

You love to sing and dance and clap your hands. If any music is playing anywhere around you - you immediately start shimmying and shaking, swaying and bopping your head to the beat. You love your music class at school, and often times at the dinner table will break out in spontaneous "song" - although we're often not sure what song you are singing.

Mealtimes have become a challenge with you - the boy who used to eat anything and everything is just too busy to eat now. Oh, you'll sit down for a few minutes to eat - but quickly want to get up and run around and play. I think in your perfect world you would prefer to have an ongoing buffet set out where you could stop by, take a bite or two, run off and play, then come back for a few more bites. (We're trying to break you of that habit...) If you are finished and ready to "get down" you will throw whatever you can get your little hands on - plate, cup, fork, food - across the table or on the floor (we're also trying to break you of that habit...)

And nap/bed-time is still a challenge with you as well. You seem to like your big boy bed, but somehow can't seem to go to sleep on your own. You require your daddy to fall asleep - sometimes mommy will do - but if daddy's around you really want him to lay with you until you are asleep. Daddy and I are not sure how to break this habit - and with the impending arrival of your little brother we're afraid to push you too hard... but, have every confidence that (like your sister) you will eventually grow out of this phase and be able to sleep independently (we hope...)

You are a curious little boy - and want to know everything about the world around you - from the tiny bugs in the backyard to taking things apart to see how they work - you want to know it all. It is so much fun to teach you and introduce you to this wonderful world around us.

Oh sweet J - my life would be so empty without you. I love you more each day - which surprises me that my heart can grow so much with each passing day. Oh, there are challenges, you are trying at times, but you wouldn't be my son if you weren't. :)

I love you. Happy Birthday sweet boy!

- Mommy