Happy 2.5 Years!

My little kiddo - you turned 2.5 years old today! You are a true joy in our lives - full of energy, smiles and general silliness! You're a really good helper and you particularly like to help me cook waffles or pancakes on the weekend mornings. When your daddy mows the lawn, you have to be outside with him, with your own little lawn mower helping out and supervising. When your daddy or I are using the computer (or the 'puter, as you call it), you like to help my forcing us to play a video of Curious George, Thomas the Tank Engine, tractors or turtles on YouTube.

Your language grows and grows. Earlier today you told Ollie that he was "beautiful" while feeding him your popcorn! You can say most words that you want to say, though sometimes get stuck on a word or two and stumble around while your mouth catches up to your brain! Some of your favorite words and phrases are "I want more milk!" and "Dinosaur's gonna come get you!" and "Mommmmmmyyyyyyyy!"

You have become quite the "mommy's boy" over the past few months...all the things that your daddy and I are equally capable of doing - you often insist that "mommy do it!" You like to be carried a lot still, though you can run and jump and spin like a wild man. You're about 33 pounds and carrying you is getting harder and harder. You're daddy measured you last week for your passport application and you are 3' 2" tall. Your brown hair is turning blonder again this summer from being outside so much. We spend a lot of time outdoors now that the weather has finally started to warm up and be sunny. We go to the playground and spraygrounds around town almost every night. We also spend lots of time in the back yard. You like to help daddy scoop up all the dog poop and have your own little shovel to help. Your mommy is happy that you and your daddy take on that chore together!

You're still in the toddler room at your day care, but I think you'll be "graduating" to the next level soon. You are one of the oldest kids in the toddler room and all the other kids look like tiny babies in comparison. You have not really shown a large amount of interest in potty training yet, but I think we might attempt it a bit more this summer. Teacher Dawn, one of your favorites, has offered to help you to start potty training with a few other kids. You have not liked being dropped off at day care recently...you give the most pathetic cries and plead for us to not leave you in the morning - very heartbreaking. But you seem really happy and playful by the time we pick you up in the evening, so it can't be that bad! When we pick you up, you look up at us, smile, yell "MOMMMMYYY" and with arms wide open, you run and leap up for a hug. It's one of the best parts of my day!

You are fairly affectionate, though not as much as a few months ago. When you were learning about eyes and ears and nose and lips, you liked to give a kiss to whatever face part you were naming. My favorite were the ear kisses, because you made the cutest "SMACKing" noise as you gave your kisses. You still give lots of kisses, but not always so readily...and sometimes you just refuse altogether!

Eating is still easy - you eat nearly anything put in front of you. Popsicles are a favorite this summer, along with frozen yogurt and ice cream! You drink lots of milk and water. Yesterday morning I heard some noises in the kitchen. When I came into the kitchen, you were sitting on the floor with your sippy cup in one hand and a carton of milk in the other...you were independently ready to refill your empty cup!

You are so entertaining and really enjoy an audience. You can be a tiny bit reserved when you first meet new people, but if given a few minutes, you warm up and become anyone's buddy within minutes. Your laugh is adorable and heard often. You have a great smile (though keeping those teeth healthy is sometimes a battle, as you're not always excited about brushing your teeth). You love splashing in water at bath time (but hate having your hair washed). You are very healthy - I can't remember the last time you were sick...it must have been about 4 months ago in March when you had a little bout of croup. Otherwise, you've been very healthy and that makes your mommy happy - no more snotty-nosed Silas!

Happy 2.5 years, my little monkey! We love you more than you know!