Graham turns 2. It can't be true.

Graham,

My son, my baby boy, my little spit ball of fire, where in the world do I begin with you. First, you turned two. Not yesterday, or a week ago, but it was almost a month ago and your mama is just now sitting down writing your letter. I think I avoided it like I have avoided everything else that involved acknowledging that you are in fact...two. How could this be? I know the time has gone by fast—I have pictures to thank for that, but the realization that you are no longer a baby just has not hit me just yet. Maybe it's because when your sister was this age, you were born and so she automatically, in our eyes, grew a couple years older. For you? There is no other little sibling to do that. And so for you? You're still our baby. In fact, I'm convinced you will always be my little baby boy even if we do have another sibling to kick you out of that baby spot.

But, that's probably not what you want to be reading, and I'm way off track. Probably because I still don't want to talk about it.

You're two. You're two and you are all boy. You run, jump, hit, throw, and all bits of rough when you want to be. And just when I think that you have totally forgotten me and my existence, you bat those eyelashes and throw out "I love you mama." Not to mention the way that you just come over to me on the couch and want to "snugga." It's funny to me how rough one can be, and yet how gentle their qualities are at the same that. That's you.

We celebrated your birthday, on your birthday—the day after Christmas.  You were surrounded by those that you love the most, you had a big truck theme party, and it was exactly what I had imagined it would be like {minus all the Christmas decor}. I'm not sure how we are going to be able to pull that off every year as you get older, but for now, it works. I hate that you will ever feel cheated on your birthday, and I hope that I always work hard to make you feel the complete opposite. But if I was a betting woman, I think you will be just fine.

***Party supplies are courtesy of Big Dot of Happiness. Highly recommend, great quality, personalization options, and ships the next day! You name it, they can do it!

At your two year appointment, you were 34% for weight and 84% for height! Both numbers have increased as you were last 25% for weight and 50% for height! Maybe you will be

 

Your security blanket is mama's hair. Not a real blankie. Not a stuffed animal. Not a pacifier. But my hair. You will literally walk up to me and say "I won to hold your hair." Then you clench onto a fistful and are content. And if I put it up in a ponytail? You get mad. You also love other people's hair {if mama is not around}, and will rub the back of their head if they are holding you.

 

You use your manners well, but only the first time that you ask for something. If someone doesn't respond to you right away, and I mean RIGHT away, then you just get loud and mean. "Mama, I want cereal! MAMA...I WAAAANT CEREEEEAL." I don't know why I think you're cute even when you're mean, but I do.

 

Trucks, cars, and trains are by far your most favorite thing to play with in the world. You love to take your cars and "drive" them on people, on couches, chairs, the floor, and anywhere else that you can think of to be a road. The noises come along with the play as well. Recently, you have really enjoyed planes and helicopters as well. Mama and papa try to get you and your sissy different matchbox cars, and your collection is definitely over 100.

 

When you talk, it's low and exaggerated. Every word is drawn out, "Noo, I donnn't waaant toooo." Which by the way, that is a phrase that you say on the daily. Speaking of talking, you talk a lot. You can say 5-7 word sentences, and you say things that I think are more complex for your age.

 

We are still working on our ABC's {you know 80% of them}, your numbers, and recognizing your shapes. You are very stubborn when it comes to learning, and really have no interest. Honestly? I'm not in any hurry.

 

You're really into hitting and pushing. Thankfully the biting {mainly your sissy} now appears to be a thing of the past, but the hitting is still something we are working on. Not sure where you picked it up, or why you think it's a good idea, but I know that you will outgrow it eventually, so for now we are just trying to teach you different ways to deal with your frustration. Oh, and throwing. How could I forget the throwing.

 

You turned out to be a book lover, just like your sister.  For the first 9 months of your life, you wanted nothing to do with them. We kept on reading to you, kept taking you to the library every week, and now you get so excited when we get new books. It's funny to watch you two just grab books and go sit in the corner by yourselves and read. Sometimes you prefer books over toys. We have them in every room in the house, and even the car, and it seriously never gets old watching you two.

Speaking of your sister, she is hands down your best friend.  Besides the 10%

We chopped off all your hair. And by chopped, I mean buzzed. And not because we wanted to, or even that we like it that way, but because you hate getting your hair cut. You scream the entire time, and yell for "HELP!" True story. You would think that we were physically harming you. But no, it's just a hair cut. So this past time when we went, I just told her to take it all. I told the hairdresser that I didn't want to be back for a long time, and then she started buzzing it all off. As soon as she started, I realized what a mistake it was, but at that point, there was no turning back. It's slowly growing back, but I hope that by the time we go get it cut again, that you will outgrow this fear of the scissors.

Potty training. You know. You're ready. but you just have no desire. So? I haven't been pushing it, but we talk about it every day and we try about every other. You have gone 8 hours with no diaper on and held it because you refused to go. There's that.

Your favorite shows are Thomas, Jake, Super Why, and Chuggington.

Your favorite foods: bananas {3 a day}, blueberries, strawberries, apples, cucumbers, carrots and peppers {but only with dip}, cereal, granola bars, granola and yogurt, smoked salmon, salami, egg sandwiches, spaghetti and meatballs, homemade veggie pizza, tacos, and quesadillas. And? You can seriously out eat all of us!

 

Thank you Graham for knocking down all the fears I ever had of having a second child. You make us laugh, you make us proud, and you certainly make us honored to be your parents. I know that you are going to grow up into a fine young man, and I am so grateful that we get to be right beside you as you grow and discover this life. We love you forever and forever, to infinity and beyond!

Love,

Mama, Papa, and big Sissy!