Alexander - 2 Years Old

Alex,

I cannot believe you are already 2 years old!  You have grown up to be quite the fun little toddler.  Your dad and I have had so much fun with you lately.  There's so much to catch up on since my last post.  Here are some things we have been up to the past 6 months.

During your 19th month, we were all adjusting to the news that you are going to be a big brother.  You didn't seem to mind at all since that meant that mommy gave you a yummy cookie to eat out of the announcement bouquet.

You still don't seem to understand exactly what being a big brother means yet, but I just know you are going to be the best big brother ever!

You have continued to keep mom and dad on their toes.  We can't seem to find a child lock that works on the lazy susan where we keep all the snack food, so this has happened on way too many occasions:

Daddy and I have been working with you and we're hoping that you will learn how to keep all the chips in the bag soon!

Since it was still winter time, during your 20th month dad and I took you to the Science Center for the first time.  You really seemed to enjoy yourself there.  You have been exerting your independence and had fun just walking around the place.  You didn't seem to care to ride in a stroller anymore, so we just let you walk around, play and have fun:

We all really enjoy our weekends together these days.  Dad likes to make you eggs and toast and you seem to love to eat it.  You especially love the strawberry jelly that is on the toast!  Most days we eat at the table, but ever so often we have breakfast in mom and dad's bed.  It's such a nice time, just the three of us!

We had a late snow this year.  You were still not quite sure about the snow, so we didn't bundle you up to play outside in it this year.  You were interested in touching the snow but right after that you were pretty much over it.  You will probably be up for going out in it next year, but for this year you did enjoy watching dad as he shoveled it up:

The snow melted up pretty quickly and we were able to have a nice Easter.  You really enjoyed the egg hunt this year.  I'm not sure that you really understood what you were doing, but you sure did have fun picking up the eggs and putting them into the basket:

Since we had been so cooped up all winter long, I was so happy when Grant's Farm finally opened this year!  You and I went on opening weekend.  You had so much fun feeding the goats and just walking around looking at all the animals.

We also started walking up to the park after work each day.  You would get so excited when I picked you up  from Chrissy's house and we would get immediately into your stroller for walk to the park.  You love playing on all the playground equipment, especially the slides.  But even moreso than that you love just running around.  You and I run down the hills saying, "Ahhhhhh!"  It's so much fun and it has given mom some much needed exercise!

We had so much fun at Grant's Farm the first time we went this year, that I decided to take you again during your 22nd month.  This time we decided to ditch the stroller as you were really just liking running around by yourself.  Since we walk part of Grant's Trail to get to Grant's Farm, I was a bit worried how you would do without the stroller.  I was worried for nothing.  You  didn't need me to carry you at all.  You enjoyed walking the trail as if it was just part of the day's fun.  You especially enjoyed walking right on the line.  This was fine most of the time but you were not all too pleased when I made you move to the side every time a bike needed to pass us.

While we were at Grant's Farm this time I decided to try putting you on the carousel.  You rode it last summer, but didn't seem to get it and you held onto me the entire time.  This time you really had a good time on it and enjoyed going around and around.

We had kind of a weird spring where some days it was really nice so we played outside, but other days it was not so nice outside so we took you to play inside.  One of the places we took you was the Magic House.  You had fun running around especially in the "A Little Bit of Magic" area.  I had dad take you to the machine that makes your hair stand up.  You didn't seem too amused at this, but dad and I were!

Unfortunately this cool spring got in the way of the Color Run this year.  We went anyway, but it was cold and rainy.  You were such a trooper, but you were ready to be warm and dry by the time we finished.

Hopefully it will be nice for it next year because we sure do have fun at the Color Run when the weather is nice out!

I had a very nice Mother's Day this year thanks to you!  You gave me a new pair of Tom's Shoes and a really cool card with lots of pictures of you on it.

At the end of May we made a big change with you.  We moved you from your crib to your big boy bed.  Since I know how much you like Curious George, I bought you sheets with George on them.  You absolutely LOVED that part of the move, but the transition wasn't the smoothest.  Little by little you have been getting used to sleeping in your new bed.  You are getting up less and less as time goes by and you are really enjoying showing off your awesome Curious George sheets to anyone who comes over.

We have been talking a lot about you becoming a big brother and what a big job you have to do.  I know you are up for the task.  We have been practicing with you at Gram and Poppy's house.  Gram has a baby doll and a cradle that you use to practice being a big brother.


By your 23rd month, it was finally June and it was finally warm outside.  We have been doing a lot of outdoor activities ever since it has gotten so nice out.  Dad and I decided to take you to the zoo.  We got to see the new baby elephant as well as lots of other animals.  You have always loved the zoo and this trip was no exception.

(at 22 months - we will get another one to compare to your 1 year photo on your birthday) 

We decided to go back to Grant's Farm again, this time with dad.  We had a great time, walking Grant's Trail again, feeding the goats again and looking at all the animals again.  The one thing we did this time that we didn't do before was going to see the animal shows.  You were mesmerized by all the little critters, the birds and the elephants.  You loved clapping for the animals too.  We are looking forward to many more times of going to Grant's Farm with you.  You really have a fun time when we are there.

Of course we just have ordinary days where we hang out in the back yard enjoying the patio.  You still love playing with your water table.  Dad likes to BBQ while you play and we eat water melon.

Dad has to work late some days which is a big bummer and sometimes it is hard for mom to get dinner on the table because of that.  So, instead of putting you in front of the TV while I am trying to cook, we have been doing some cooking (and baking) together.  Gram and Poppy's neighbor made you an apron and you just love wearing it and helping mom add ingredients to the food.  Dad says it tastes better when you help.

You just love Gram and Poppy's cat, Sunny.  Everytime we are over there you follow him around and you pet him and love on him.  One day he was laying on the floor and you just snuggled right up to him.  I love how much you love animals.  You are learning how to be gentle with the cat too, which bodes well with us having your brother or sister join the family soon.

Dad and I have also been taking you out to eat with us when we can.  We love to see you enjoying the food.  You tend to do really well still.  As long as you are behaving, we will continue taking you out with us.  I took you to Pastaria  with me one day when dad was out of town and of course we couldn't deprive you of your absolute favorite, Cunettos!

Once we hit your 24th month, we of course continued the outdoor activities.  I have been taking you to some spray pools since you like fountains so much.  The place you take swim lessons has a little fountain area that goes into a zero entry pool.  You love running through the fountains and then plopping into the pool with me.  We also went to the City Garden.  You had a blast running through all the fountains and playing in the pools there too.

Since it's summertime and mom is pregnant, we have been going out for ice cream a lot too!  We usually just let you eat off of ours, but since you took such an interest in my ice cream cone we decided to get you your very first ice cream cone.  You really liked holding onto it, but we had trouble getting you to eat it all before it started melting on you.

Recently you have gotten so much better at sleeping in your big boy bed.  I think you are ready for your little brother or sister to join us next month!  For your bedtime routine, we get you some milk which you enjoy in mom's bed while watching George.  Then dad comes in to get you to brush your teeth and then you head off to bed.  You are staying in your bed more and more often  now!

Like most kids your age, you love boxes.  Sunny was sitting in this box, so you wanted to get in as soon as he got out:

The most recent big development we have made is that you are now FINALLY able to sit facing forward in your car seat!  We turned it around just the other day and you are loving it!  When I get to a red light, I will turn around and look at you and you will just smile and wave at me.  It's awesome!

You are talking quite a bit now and it is so much fun to find out what's going on inside your little head.  Also, as I mentioned earlier, you are crazy about Curious George.  When you watch an episode, you are constantly saying, "George!"  and making sure mommy is not missing it.  Sometimes I will start to fall asleep during the show and you put your forehead right up to mine and shout, "George!"  It's so funny!  You know all your letters and most of your colors and numbers.  You can tell people that you are 2 now and you hold up 2 fingers (though it is a bit of a struggle!).  You are a very loving little boy giving mom and dad hugs and kisses all the time.  When you say 'mom' it actually sounds more like 'mum'.  You also ask for 'help' anytime you need it.  Your favorite food is spaghetti although you are pretty good about eating pretty much anything we put in front of you.  Your stats from your 2 year doctor's appointment are as follows:

Height: 34" (35th Percentile)

Weight: 26.2 lbs (25th Percentile)

Head Circumference: 19.2" (50th Percentile)

Alex you are such a wonderful child.  I couldn't have been blessed with a better first born.  I love you so much.  Everytime I look at you all I can think is that God sure must love me to give me a gift as great as you.  Can't wait to celebrate your 2nd birthday with you!  

Love,

Mom