My little boo-bear, you're TWO years old. Two! I can't believe how big you are, and I swear from one day to the next it seems like just knowing that you were two made you look older, speak more clearly, and....well, your bangs seem longer. We'll have to do something about that.
I'm sorry to say that I couldn't write your letter on your actual birthday because I didn't get to spend much of it with you. We buried my Uncle Dwayne that day, and I couldn't put you through another long funeral trip this year. I'm sad that you didn't get to meet your great uncle, but I know you would have liked him!
We tried to make up for your quiet birthday by having a big party on Saturday. A bunch of friends and family came out to wish you well and eat cake :) You cried through the first hour or so of the party (off and on). Eventually you played outside with some of the kids, but you were happiest when it thinned out a little and you could spend time with your regular neighborhood crew. I'm sure the Holmes boys were happy to hang around and help you break in those new gifts!
Grandpa/Papa Abke (we're still not sure what you will call everyone because all the old men are "papa" right now!) built your new tricycle Saturday night, and on Sunday morning we spent Aunt Brenda's birthday money to get you a shiny new helmet and scooter. You also experienced Juan in a Million for the first time...you were not impressed. Anyway, we had a great day, and we've got some pictures to prove it!
In other news, you are stinkin' adorable. Ok, that's not news, but it's still true. You can use 3 word sentences. I very clearly heard you say "I want choo-choo" today. Well really you were screaming it from the backseat, but I was so happy that you used a 3-word sentence that I didn't care you couldn't make it from Kohl's to the house before opening your choo-choo!
You enjoy showers mixed in along with baths now. You spend a ton of time in there too, but on the bright side, you can pretty much undress yourself so that saves me a little time ;) I think you're also getting your 2-year molars because there has been some serious finger gnawing going on lately. In case we haven't mentioned, you sleep in a tent. There is a tent in your crib. And I think you're finally used to it! It keeps you from climbing out at least.
I'm sure I'll be writing to you about potty training and toddler beds before long, but for right now, I'm trying to cherish all the baby-ness left in you.
I love you more and more each day. I love that you're growing and changing, even though it means you'll leave me some day. I love that even though you're becoming more independent, you still run back to me for comfort from time to time. You are the most important thing I have ever had or will ever do in my life. I love you.
Your Mom
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Pictures from your actual birthday before I left town that morning:
From your party:
Big hugs to your Auntie-Cousin for helping with the signs! And we would have had a little photo booth action here, but you wouldn't stop crying and clinging to my leg long enough for me to do it :)
You opened ONE gift, and then it was over. We had to wait until the crowd left to do the rest. You were pretty excited about having only 2 other kids left with a mountain of presents to go through!
You love your Papa so much! Probably because he builds cool things for you :)
