Dear Ezra,
You are two! We had a party yesterday with grandparents and it was so much fun watching you eat cake and open presents.
As I sit here and write this, I think back to all the moments that I will always hold in my heart of when you were a baby. The vivid memories I have of baby and one year old you are things such as:
*You being born on Good Friday. We were still in the hospital on Easter, and Daddy bought you some little yellow chickie socks from Meijers. (also, your birthday is earth day. talk about being born on a special day... a combined good friday and earth day hah)
*The way you loved to snuggle and sleep by us when you were bitty. You still take naps with us, and every time I see you tucked in between Daddy and I for a Sunday nap, I think, "Do you even know how loved you are?" You are so, so loved.
*The way you were born after a few very hard months for our family. When you were born, you brought sunshine into our life and so much joy. Your birth was a rebirth for our family.. we were so much stronger, happier, and complete after you were born. It's fitting you have a spring birth.. spring gives hope, and so did you.
*I will always remember how you were so good at nursing. I was nervous about this since Judah was not, and you were awesome from day one.
*You got your first tooth at 3 1/2 months and had all of your teeth months ago. You had all your teeth up to your two year old molars at 19 months, I was glad since I do not like teething.
Wearing the birthday crown mama made for your 1st birthday
You are what I call "Sweet and Spicy". It's not that you try to be naughty, you are just a very curious little boy, which gets you into trouble at times. You have been getting into things I would never dream a child would get into. You found.. and opened... and spilled... my nail polish all over the bathroom and yourself. When I walked in, you were brushing the brush across your whole foot saying, "Painting, mommy." I suppose I should have thought of a better place for my nail polish than a cupboard you could reach into, but since none of my kids so far have thought about touching it, it really didn't occur to me. You best believe it is up high where you cannot reach now : ). You are constantly climbing, touching, exploring. You love to "help" cook. You sample as we go along!
When we have talked about your birthday for the past few weeks, you immediately shout, "Cake!! Grandpa! Grandma!" You wanted Grandpa or Grandma to make your cake, but unfortunately for you, mama is possessive about getting to make my kids birthday cakes. Your cake was chocolate with chocolate ganache and raspberry sauce on top. Gotta say, it was pretty yummy.
As for the sweet part of your personality, you know how to schmooze your mama. You love to cuddle. If I have a blanket anywhere near me, you get it and say, "Cobers." (covers) and then snuggle. You still love to stick your hand up my (or anyone, really...) sleeve and say, "Arm..." as you do it : ) I can't wait till you get older so I can ask you what in the world that is all about!
You are one of the most hilarious people I know. I'm not even kidding. You love to grab my face with both hands and try to lick me because you know I will try to wiggle away from you. It makes you laugh so hard and you only try harder to do it while I laugh. You have such a big personality for being kind of a peanut size-wise.
Even though you are a peanut, you are STRONG! Daddy and I always say that Judah better be nice and watch out because we totally think you will win when you get older and wrestle. Even when I was pregnant with you, I knew you were strong because your kicks hurt me way more than Judah's did! You are very scrappy!
Blowing out your 2 candle. We have been singing "This little light of mine" a lot lately to prepare for blowing out a candle hah!
You seriously have the best personality, and while it is very tiring trying to parent such a curious little boy, I wouldn't trade you for anything. Your curiosity makes me smile most of the time and it will be such a great quality as you get older.
Here are some things you are up to at 2!
*You are crazy good at climbing/jumping off of things. You get out of your crib like it's no big deal and just walk into the living room.
*You are in 24 month or 2T clothes, and just moved up to a size 4 diaper. You have size 6 (or so) feet.
*You love babies and if you see them you say, "baby! cute!"
*You love balls, play dough, puzzles, reading, painting, trains/trucks and music.
*Playing with Judah and Hope is one of your favorite things. You all are pretty good buddies.
*You do not talk a lot, but you are starting to more in the past few weeks. You can say any word we ask, and will say 1-3 words together yourself. You use descriptive words a lot. (Stuck! Hot! Hurt!) A few days ago you said, "Mama, come here!"
*You go to sleep around 8p and wake up around 6a. You take a nap from 1p to 3 or 4p most days.
*You are an amazing eater. You will eat most anything I give you. Your recent new favorites are raw broccoli and carrots. You do have a sweet tooth and love to chew gum (and do a great job at it!).
*You know quite a few abc's when we sing the song or show you the letter book, can identify shapes, and are starting to learn colors.
*There are pictures of your buddies on the fridge and you are always talking about "Kai, Ethan, Asher, Isaiah, and Jackson" You especially always want to talk about Ethan's mom, Auntie Ann!
That little hand holding the present hurts my heart in a good way.
What else can I say except that it is a privilege to be your mama, to get to teach you and watch you grow. I am so proud of you and cannot wait to see who you become. Love, your mama
