two and a half!

Dear Jack-
Today you are 2 and ½ years old. While half birthdays are not as momentous as whole ones, you have changed so much in six months and I feel the need to document it. I also feel like I will forget some things from this time because of the craziness of having Madeline join us. It is all going so quickly and I want you to know I was paying attention!
- You are talking so much these days and we love it! Your “f”s are “b”s so you say things like “It’s broken. You bix it,” “I go see my briends,” “I no see Daddy. I go bind him.”
- Your favorite book is Noah’s Ark Animal ABCs. We read it every night before bed. You know all the animals but your favorites are the monkeys, lions, tigers and zebras. The last page of the book has all the animals in the ark and you like to give each of them a kiss as well as Noah before we say “good night.”
- You love all kinds of balls and know the difference between a soccer ball, basketball, baseball and golf ball. You even know that you kick a soccer ball and throw a baseball.
- You have an undying love for Dora and Diego. When we say prayers you always include Tico, Isa and Benny (Dora’s friends). The other day you put all your Little People in the airplane and said “let’s go! Vamanos!” At least while I am letting Noggin parent you, you are learning to be bilingual.
- You were great when we brought Madeline home and for about the first 6 weeks but then you realized she wasn’t leaving and you had to share me. Now whenever I am feeding her, you say “I hungry too” and when I change her diaper “I stinky too.” You also say “I hold you,” where before Madeline you never wanted me to hold you. This is all very normal, I am told and I am thankful you want my attention and do not take it out on Madeline.
- You are such a good big brother. Recently, I was talking to Madeline while she was in her chair and you came over and said “ Hi Madewin, I, Jack. This Momma.” It was very cute! You like to bring her toys, diapers, etc and you get upset if I don’t bring her out to the car immediately when we are leaving. You are always concerned that she is coming with us and do not want to leave her behind.
- You LOVE playing with Daddy. You want his full attention the minute he comes home. You like to play hide and seek, love to wrestle with him and lately you love to be outside together. You have helped plant flowers and trees and always show me what you have done saying “I dig. I water.” You love to be muddy and whenever Daddy is watering you love to get right under the hose and drink from it.
- You love to go to school. You ask every morning about school and then say “Gray, Sydney, Charlie?”- your friends in your class. You love music the best and always tell me you “shaked shaked shaked” today. You also like to paint and tell me what you had for snack- a highlight of the day!
- It has been almost a year that you have been sleeping in a bed but just last week you figured out how to open your door. You came running into our room saying “I wake up! I wake up!” It was 5:45 am. Now that you can open doorknobs we have installed one with a key lock on the pantry. It works to keep you from consuming all the snacks (which you would) and makes me think twice about whether I need the snacks as well J
- You love to eat! This is not new but your favorites are chicken, veggie burgers, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pretzels, dora snacks (fruit chews), hummus (with Daddy) and like your mom, you love Mexican!!
- You are currently wearing a size 4t shirt and 18 months shorts! We aren’t sure where your body came from as I am all legs and no torso and Daddy is pretty proportionate but you have definitely inherited your dad's metabolism!
- You are a very social child. You love your “briends” and are happiest when we are out about. When we arrive places, you walk in and say “Hi guys!” You do this at places like Moe’s too!

Jack, you are a joy to have in our family! Even in the midst of the terrible twos, you have such a sweet, fun-loving spirit. Every day is an adventure with you and we love watching you learn and grow. Thanks for choosing us as your parents! We love you so much!