I know I say this about each of the kids every year at their birthday but it is CRAZY how fast time is flying by. Anderson turns 2 today and I can't quite believe it! He has morphed into a little man virtually over night. Looking back at pictures from the last few months the change in his looks and abilities is drastic!
At 2 years old Anderson is repeating words and has an extensive vocabulary. Since having his adenoids removed at the beginning of July, it appears that the coughing, ear infections, and runny noses are no more (or at least improved). His favorite words..."what!?", "OK", "Why", "Mom", "Dad", "JJ!" and of course "NO". The attitude he uses with each is an added bonus. His favorite phrases include: "I got it!", "OH MAN!", "I want to see", and of course..."cup Please?!". The boy still loves his balls and by that I mean...basketball, golf balls, soccer balls,tennis ball, baseballs, and footballs. If he can throw it or push it, he LOVES it. He wants to have everything Audrey has and do everything Audrey does. He plays like a 4 year old and is mature for his age. He desperately wants to ride bikes but doesn't quite have the leg length to reach the pedals. Aunt Melissa bought him his very own lawn mower for his Birthday and it is a hit! He has been mowing sidewalks in then neighborhood all week!
The best thing about this little boy are his hugs and kisses. When I ask for them, he will stop whatever he is doing, sprint to me and hug me so tight ! :) I hope that never changes but I have a sad feeling that it will :(. He counts to three, knows basic colors, and shapes. He loves listening and watching to country music. His favorite songs are Done (The Band Perry), Red (Taylor Swift), and I Want Crazy (Hunter Hays). I find we no longer need movies to entertain the kids while taking road trips, they like listening and singing to music just as much. While riding in the car, if one of his favorites comes on he instantly starts moving his head to the beat and will sing along to the words with the biggest smile on his face. He has some pretty sweet dance moves to!
For 2 years old, he is still destructive but is also showing some potential when it comes to helping clean up and doing housework. He enjoys helping with the laundry (loading, unloading, folding) and helping unload the dishwasher. He easily weighs 30+ lbs. and is abnormally tall for his age (accurate stats to follow after 2 year well visit). His hair has lightened considerably over the summer and is rocking a nice tan too where as last year at this time I struggled to keep this kid safe from the sun. He still has his gorgeous baby blues and I couldn't be more in love!
Night time is still a challenge sometimes. Ben and him have a routine of bathing, reading books, brushing teeth that they follow
pretty religiously. He likes his big boy bed but wakes periodically throughout the night and can't seem to go back to sleep unless one of us is in the room with him. I hate sleeping on his floor next to his bed but it is certainly better than listening to him scream at 2 am.
One of his favorite past times is picking on Audrey :(. He has learned so many fun things (fun for him) to do with her hair and knows how to push her buttons. Don't get me wrong...they get along and are truly partners in crime. Where one is at, the other is not too far behind.
His favorite foods are hot dogs, toast, noodles, rice, scrambled eggs, yogurt, pizza, pop cycles, ice cream, sweets (of any kind), fruit, and carrots. He easily chugs a half gallon of milk a day and hates it when we put water in his cup vs. milk/juice. Every night at dinner Audrey says prayer and will catch him trying to make the sign of the cross and repeat the words (he has AMEN down).
I am always looking to the future and it is hard to believe that at this time next year he will be getting ready for preschool! He is surrounded by kids his age every day and loves playing with the neighbor's grandsons (one of which was born the exact same day/same hospital as Anderson. They even weighed the same!) and the Coppage boys. I can tell he is so eager to grow up. I wish I shared that with him.
Today I ended up working but am spending the day with the kids tomorrow taking them to the African Safari and spending time at the beach. We have Great Aunt Mary visiting from out of town this week so we are looking forward to spending the weekend with her and her family up at the cottage. We have our own birthday celebration planned for today but will celebrate one last time on Saturday before the beach picnic.
Anderson.... Words can not describe how much we love you and how much you mean to our family. You are a dream come true! We are so excited to see what the future has in store for you and know how great of a man you will be. You have some great attributes and we are so incredibly proud of you. Always strive to be better and never settle for anything less.You are truly a gift from God and we are eternally grateful that he has blessed us with you! Rock on son!
