Dear Max,
I'm not quite sure when it happened, but suddenly you are a two year old little boy! There are hardly any traces of baby left in you, and you move and talk non-stop from the moment you wake-up until the moment you finally fall asleep each night. Our lives have never been filled with this much joy, excitement, and love.
I'm sure every mother feels this way, but you are truly the most amazing little boy I've ever known. You live life in a big, loud way. You have an incredible amount of enthusiasm for things I usually see as ordinary. You're quick to laugh and love to be "in" on a joke. You're full of hugs, sweet kisses, hand holding, and tickling.
At this age everything about you is so physical. It's like you're learning about your emotions and the world around you with every inch of your tiny body. Certainly, it's been incredible to watch and experience alongside you. Your curiosity about life is insatiable, and you are like a little sponge soaking it all in. With each new sight, noise, taste, smell, or texture you exclaim, "What's that!?"
You are most definitely an extrovert right now, and love to meet new people. When we go on walks you love to wave and say, "Hi!" to people and dogs passing by. If they pause to speak to you, you often share some random rock or stick you've found or ask them a question. At school, you greet your little friends with a big hug, and love to say "Good morning" to people we pass in the hallway. You always get energized when we have company over or if we're with a big group. I love how you love people.
When I think back over the past year it is incredible to think how many things have changed in just 12 months. You've learned to walk, run, jump, talk, make a joke, tickle, memorize books, can count to 10 in English and Spanish fairly consistently, can identify many objects, shapes, and letters, and know the words and hand motions to countless songs. The pace at which you are developing is really incredible.
Dad and I were recently talking about your baby days, and he commented that it's almost like you were a different person. So small and dependent on us for every moment of your day, communicating only in squawks, squeals, and cries. Getting to know you and see you start to become a little boy has been one of the most humbling and exciting experiences of our lives.
Max, in some ways I hope a piece of you always stays two years old. I hope you always have this much love and zeal for life, always find a reason to laugh, seek to learn about the world around you, and engage new people you meet to share your joy with them.
I'm so glad you're part of our little family, and love you more than words could ever describe. Here's to another wonderful year!
Love,
Mom
Fun facts after the raspberry photo!
Fun Facts About 2 Year Old Max
Height: 32 inches (5th percentile) /
Weight: 23 lbs 7 oz (5th percentile) As the pediatrician said, you're a peanut but at least you're a proportional peanut!
Favorites: Being outside for as much of the day as possible, construction equipment, trucks and cars, dogs, balls, reading, singing, dancing, going for walks, and climbing
Favorite Foods: Peanut butter, cheese, fruit, yogurt, smoothies, crackers, milk, raisins
Morning: You usually wake up between 6:00 and 6:30 and Daddy and I alternate who gets up with you in the morning. You like to hang out in your room with the lights off, and read some books and play with your elephant and lion. After a bit, we'll change your diaper, get you dressed, and head down for breakfast. You take one nap a day and go to sleep between 12:30 and 12:45. Naps can be as short as one hour or as long as two and a half hours (usually longer at daycare).
Bedtime: We start your routine around 6:30/6:40 and in bed by 7:00 (fall asleep between 7:15 - 8:00). You sleep in your crib with a stuffed elephant and stuffed lion. My two favorite parts of the routine are our group hug (Mommy, Daddy, and Max) during bedtime prayers, and cradling you in my arms to sing one last song before laying you down. I also must admit that I sneak in your room every night before I go to bed to see you one last time for the day (and check that you are still breathing-- haha!). When I come down and see Daddy he laughs because I always say something along the lines of, "Max is so cute! I sure do love that little boy."
