To my sweet little boy,

How is it possible that you are already 2 years old? I hear other parents say it often, but it’s so true that the time since you’ve come into our lives seems to have gone at warp speed. It seems like just yesterday that the doctor placed you in my arms at 8:10 p.m. on December 5, 2006. While at the same time, it’s hard to even remember what our life was like before you were here. Time goes so fast, and I hope I can savor every minute I’m given as your Mom.

This second year of your life has definitely been a year of firsts for you. You started army crawling, standing, crawling on all 4s, cruising, and walking. Yes, all in less than a year! And now, we have to clear everything out of your way as you run full-speed ahead most anywhere you go. You have worked so hard this year to learn all of these new skills, and we are SO proud of you. It has given us true joy to see you discover this new world of mobility. It has seemed to make you much happier as well.




As strange as it is, I’ve learned a lot about myself as your mother, as I’ve learned more about you. It confirms to me that God makes us each so unique and different. Your personality seems to be more similar to your Daddy’s compared to mine. But I love that about you and appreciate so many characteristics that I know will be such important strengths for you as you grow up.

You have become quite an enthusiastic, social, and outgoing little boy. Most of the time when we go out to dinner or go to a store, you find a way to say “Hi!” to anyone and everyone that walks by. Sometimes you keep saying it over and over until they finally turn around to acknowledge you.

You also have a lot to say. Sometimes it’s in your “Tateish,” but each day you’re talking more and more and recently you’ve started putting two words together pretty regularly. There are still some things you say wrong, but we can’t bear to correct it because it’s too cute. When you see a bicycle or motorcycle, you will say “Go, go, go, Daddy.” You started that this year after watching a bike race with Daddy. You can spot them in a heartbeat and say it every time.

And speaking of your Daddy. You LOVE your Daddy. I know you love me too, but you definitely have a unique bond with your Daddy. You get so excited to see him when he comes home every day. It might be because he’s started taking you to get Krispy Kreme donuts every Sunday morning.

We learned very quickly that you are a true explorer. You don’t sit still much at all and love to check out anything and everything that is around you. It’s sometimes a dangerous combination with your boundless energy and high pain tolerance. It’s rare that there isn’t some kind of bruise or scratch on you somewhere. Sometimes we think that you think you can physically do the things a 5-year-old can. That’s hard for me to balance letting you try things while making sure you don’t get hurt. Thank goodness most of the times you fall, you’re pretty quick to bounce right back up and keep going.

My favorite part of the day with you right now is actually right before you go to bed. Daddy gives you a bath and gets you dressed in your PJs. Then I get to rock you in the chair and sing Jesus Loves Me with you. Then we say a prayer. You put your cute little hands together and then we say thank you for all of your favorite people…and sometimes for football as well.

Things you love: watching SportsCenter with Daddy, playing with any ball, playing with any car, reading books, playing outside, swinging, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, your cousins, your friends, milk, Chick Fil-A, Chipotle, blueberries, yogurt, guacamole, rice, beans, throwing your food, finding the moon, swimming, bath time, Gymboree class, going to church, fun music, Sesame Street and Elmo, the Backyardigans, Macy, trains, fire trucks, jumping on pillows, and taking 3-hour naps (keep it up!).

Things you don’t like: trying new foods, being constrained, holding hands in the parking lot, sleeping past 7:00 a.m., getting your diaper changed, and when I stop to talk with people.

You truly bring so much joy to not only your parents but to others as well. I can’t put into words how thankful I am for this gift God has given me. I hope and pray for wisdom every day so I can help raise and prepare you for your wonderful future that awaits.