Happy 2nd Birthday, Preston!

Happy Birthday, Bubba!

My sweet, busy, insatiably inquisitive boy ~

Today you turn two and that means, regardless of my desire to hold onto your "babyhood," you are officially no longer a baby. The truth is, you reached toddlerhood a long while ago, and in your mind (especially at the playground) you have reached little-boyhood, too. I can't even begin to list your milestones and accomplishments here... there are just too many. Thus, so I don't forget (and so that someday you can look back and know what your little two year-old self was doing, especially compared to your one year-old self), I am recording some highlights.

You have an endless and ever-growing vocabulary and you're quite smart. (I say it not just because I'm your mommy - - it's just a fact). I lost count of your words and signs many months ago... you surely are at well over a thousand now with both languages and it is simply amazing. Granted, some of your words need translation because even though your brain has the capacity to grasp the vocabulary, you're little mouth hasn't quite mastered the motions for pronunciation. Some "funnies" that you've picked up as of late - - "Oh, tute" which is "oh, cute" - - something that I say a lot and apparently, because of that, you easily learned how it's to be used! In the last several days, you have commented on Gracie's sheets, her braids in the morning and a drawing we did together. You also say, "Oh gosh" which really cracks up me and Daddy! If you are running around the house looking for something or someone, you say, "Are you?" while signing, "Where?" You are rather chatty and people are constantly commenting on how much you talk, especially "for a boy." I think you come by it naturally - - you are, after all, my child... and I am wordy! And, the fact that you spend about 95% of your time with me, it's bound to rub off! We chat about everything... what we see, what we hear, what we read, what you learn from your favorite shows.

Speaking of your shows, your current playlist is quite "sophisticated!" You love "Signing Time" (on this one, you don't really have a choice, so it's good that you like it!). You also love "Curious George," "Sid the Science Kid" and any of the Frog/Boy/Dog videos directed by Gary Templeton. (These are silent movies, set to classical music that feature real kids and real animals.) Like Sid, you are very inquisitive and want to learn how things work and how they are put together. Now that Gracie goes to school like Sid, you said just this week, "Bubba go school." We working on it, dude! There aren't many preschools that will allow kiddos as little as you! Anytime you watch TV, you love talking about all the things that are happening. You're favorite thing to watch on the laptop (besides slideshows of yourself and Gracie) is an Italian video that features rescue dogs being trained to jump from helicopters into the water. It's no wonder you love this... it has water, dogs, helicopters and adventure! Games on PBSkids.org and Sesamestreet.com are fun for you and you also love several of Gracie's school games and learning software.

You've been drinking from a real cup for a while now, although I still give you a sippy cup most of the time - - only because I don't trust your urge to be "two" and dump the cup! You love bath time, all things related to your self-care and picking out your clothes! Sports are a huge hit with you and you are naturally very coordinated, just like your daddy. You love hitting off the tee, but even more, you love hitting a slowly pitched ball... and often, can do it! You and daddy recently started hitting tennis balls at the courts and you now have your very own racquet! You haven't yet proven to be left-handed or right... but seem to favor your left and are certainly more coordinated as a south paw at this time.

As busy as you are, you are equally eager to settle down and read... thank goodness! You love books, but unless they are board books, you must be carefully supervised because you've discovered how fun tearing paper is. We read together at least 30 minutes a day and you love reading to your stuffed toys, the dolls and, of course, Gracie. You would read all night and avoid sleep altogether if I let you - - another thing you come by naturally! While it's difficult to list favorites, a current "daily must read" is "The Very Busy Spider." When read together, it is a little sing-song back and forth. You have most of it memorized, so I can stop reading at almost any word and you'll say it for me!

You know you're alphabet - you can say it by voice, sign (although not completely accurate by sign yet, you do recognize all letters that are signed to you) and you recognize all capital letters no matter where we are! Street signs, stores, the sides of trucks and buses... it doesn't matter where we are, you "read" me the letters. We are now working on lower case letters! You have counted to fourteen independently, you try to sign when counting, but again, your fine motor hasn't caught up to your brain! The difference between now and a couple of months ago, though, is remarkable and you've become quite obsessed when trying to sign, asking for help and sticking up your hands! You just mastered "I love you" with your left hand - - this made mommy, daddy and Gracie very happy! Gracie now signs it back to you when you "say" it because you are signing to her... which we love seeing!

You are a little sponge, thirsty for more from the moment you wake until you finally rest your head again at night. You fight naptime, I am sure, because you are afraid you will miss something. (Mommy really wishes you'd not fight so hard! She needs to recuperate a bit during the day, too, get some things done and regroup just to keep up with you!) It's a joy to sit back and watch you, Preston... the way you observe, solve problems, role play... it's miraculous, so seemingly effortless. You have impressive manners, often remembering to thank daddy and me when we give you food or refill your cup. You say please, bless you (beesh you) when we sneeze and "cuze me" when you burp or toot! (You also laugh hysterically at the later!)

You relish in making your sister laugh or smile. You always offer unsolicited hugs and kisses, and never go to bed without saying goodnight, giving a kiss and saying "I love you." Like your sister, you have an amazing capacity to love and are eager to share your affection. And then, amidst all this great loving, play and discovery, you hit or kick something or someone... and I am reminded that you are, indeed, TWO!

Happy Birthday, Bubba! I love you with all my heart and am so proud of you!

Mommy