I can't believe you're turning TWO! These past two years have been the best of my life. You have brought so much joy and happiness to our family.
Ever since you were born you were mostly a happy baby. You've had your occasional unhappy moments but overall you are almost always smiling.
Now that you've turned two you are not afraid to show it. You've gotten very good at showing us your tantrums. Roid rages, your dad calls them. You hold nothing back; throwing yourself down on the floor, kicking and screaming, often banging your head or hitting your head. Luckily, they don't last too long and we are usually able to get you interested in something else pretty quickly.
You are boy all the way! You are so much like your dad in so many ways. (note to dad, this is a GOOD thing). You LOVE to be outside all the time! I think you and your dad could live outside if I'd let you. Maybe next summer you can. We have recently introduced you to hiking. It started out just as marching through our gardens but now you love to go down to the river walkway (or beach as you call it) and hike by the river.
Our neighbor Papi, got you your first bike for your birthday. You aren't quite able to use the pedals yet but that will come with time and practice. You are able to reach the ground so you can push yourself along a little. Your favorite thing to do is go fast down the curb of the driveway backward. Very adventurous is what you are!
Just like your dad you LOVE electronic devices, phones, computers, cameras, anything with buttons that makes noise. Play with them, bang on them, try to take them apart; it's what you do! You also love music. You are great at singing. Right now, your favorite songs are ABC's, Twinkle, Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, C is for Cookie, e-i-e-i-o (as you call it) and Happy Birthday. Along with singing, you enjoy playing your two pianos, and two guitars and banging on what ever you can find for a drum. (and no we don't need a drum set, we have plenty of metal bowls for that!).
You have been a trooper about wearing your brace on your right leg. Sometimes you will even ask us to put on your "sandal". Mom and dad are so proud of you for wearing it to help you walk better. Even your therapist Mary Anne has said you are doing so much better now.
This year to celebrate your birthday we had a family party with an Elmo theme. You are really into Elmo and love to watch him on Sesame Street. With the help of Grammy Rachel, we were able to make a cute Elmo cake. We had a little issue with the food coloring, but it all turned out cute in the end. I'm not sure you ever said Elmo when you saw it, oh well.Not all of our family was able to come celebrate your birthday, but you still had a wonderful day.
Grammy Rachel was able to come visit for a few weeks and you were able to spend the day with her and Poppy (my dad) playing. You went down to the river and got to throw rocks in the water, what fun!
Grammy even took you for a ride on your bike. How fun!
You also had fun shooting baskets!
Playing in your sandbox was fun with Poppy!
Uncle Craig was able to make it down for the weekend. He enjoyed teaching you how to properly eat a chocolate cookie. As long as it ends up all over your face, everything is great!
And who could forget the funny faces from Grammy Terry.
Jabez, the dog, was able to come celebrate your special day. You liked to say hi to her and even wanted to try and walk her. Luckily, she was a well behaved dog and didn't take you for a ride.
You are such a friendly boy and love to share. Especially sharing your Cheerios with Jabez.
For your birthday dinner, Dad made his famous bbq chicken wings. Yum. You enjoyed eating these the best and left the potato salad for the dog. I think you may have taken a bite of the lettuce but that was all.
Opening presents was fun! You understood that they were ALL for you and no one else. You were very interested in the remote control train and played with that for awhile. Since mom and dad are "toy rookies" and forgot to check what kind of batteries the toy needed we were able to convince you to open a few more presents.
Uncle Craig and Aunt Olya got you a talking Elmo. You love the way Elmo laughs and try to imitate him every time.
Now Cookie Monster has a friend!
One of your favorite presents was from Grammy Rachel and Poppy. Who knew a $2 spider-man hamper would be so much fun. I think you wore it on your head for a good 10 minutes.
Grammy Terry and Grandpa Ed got you a little guitar. You are a natural, playing and singing at the same time. We may have a future musician in the family.
Your favorite part about cake was blowing out the candles. We sang 3 times so you could blow out the candles. By the third time you were able to do it yourself.
Thank you to our family for making this a special day for Cooper!
And how could we for get these moments. Cooper had such a fun weekend with everyone he didn't want them to leave. Every time someone left he cried and cried. He misses everyone so very much.
Cooper is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met (besides his dad, of course). He almost always takes a second to give his mom a hug or kiss. He's not a cuddler but that's ok. He's learning to let me rock him at bed time, sometimes.
Thank you Cooper for bringing joy and happiness to our lives. I am so very honored to be your mother. I love you very much!
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