To my Baby Boy on his 2nd Birthday

Note - This was written on his actual birthday, 7/22/13.  I'm not just now getting around to writing it and trying to pass it off as his birthday letter weeks later.  But so what if I were?  You try making ice and tell me how much else you have time for...  :)

Two years ago at this time I was sleeping, unknowing that in just a few short hours, my world was about to be rocked by the most unbelievable love I had ever experienced.  And in just two short years, that love has grown immeasurably. 

So, what have we been up to the past year? 

We went on a family vacation with Mamaw, Papaw, Aunt Emmy, Aunt Ashley & Uncle Nick to Gulf Shores.  12 hours in the car each way and you were a champ!  You hated the sand but loved the zero entry pool.  And then one day around 13 months you started walking.  In September, me and you took a trip across the country all by ourselves to California to see Aunt Megan.  Mama was SCARED TO DEATH being that it was just you and me and some really long plane rides.  I didn’t want to be THAT person on the plane with a screaming child for 3 hours.  So, I researched and googled and pinned and sought advice and packed bags and bags of entertainment and, of course, you were a perfect angel.  We rarely even got into your bag of goodies or the dozen or so presents I packed for you.

In December, shortly before Christmas, you managed a broken leg.  You somehow managed to squeeze in between the banister and the wall, walk out onto the ledge (as you’ve seen Pea do many times) and plummet to the bottom of the staircase all in a matter of seconds.  I’m convinced you must have been plotting this for months because the speed with which you did it and the way you would have had to maneuver your little body still baffles me.  Needless to say, I ran down the stairs faster than I ever thought possible.  We took you to the ER, found out it was broken, felt like the worst parents ever, had the banisters covered the next day, had your leg put in a cast and wondered how in the hell we were going to keep it from getting wet for a month.  You were a trooper though and managed to squeeze some more Christmas presents out of it…along with a lot of iPad time.  It was all a part of your plot.  And once I was over the initial shock and sadness, I had some fun with it by making signs and taking pictures telling of your injury (Shark Attack, Ninja Fight, New Year - Same F'in Broken Leg...)

We’ve been to a couple zoos, an aquarium, Grant’s Farm, Monkey Joes, concerts, pools, splash pads, playgrounds, wineries, beauty pageants, plenty of restaurants and malls…I must say, you’ve lead a pretty exciting life for a 1 year old.  I hope 2 is just as adventurous!

We had your birthday party last weekend.  It was ‘Hot Dog’ (Mickey Mouse) themed.  You got so many toys you don’t know what to play with.  #twoyearoldproblems  (Hashtagging is really ‘in’ right now.  I’m sure by the time you read this, you’ll wonder what in the hell that even means.)

All About Keller –

You love balls.  You like to ‘yoot’ (shoot) balls.  You like to block shots and say ‘Not in my house.’ You love to be ‘bu-bye’ (outside) and play with ‘Wo-wa’s’ (Noah) ball.

You love to help with everything.  You help mom vacuum (so much so you got a vacuum for your birthday) and swiffer and dust and do the laundry and bake and really anything that’s asked of you.  If I could just get you to start cleaning the bathrooms, I’d be set.  You love to mow the grass with dad (so much so that you got a bubble mower for your birthday).  You love to cook in your kitchen and your new grill (yep, birthday gift)…you obviously get that from your dad because I haven’t seen you cook any grilled cheese or cereal, so you couldn’t have learned from me.

You love music and you are quite the dancer.  You take the remote and often manage to find some random music channel and dance around.  You can’t (or won't) say music yet so if we turn off the music you just say ‘more’, followed by bopping your head up and down. 

Though you can’t say music, you can say a lot.  You have a very extensive vocabulary for a 2 year old and I love it.  Listening to the things that you come up with and your attempts at pronouncing words is the sweetest thing ever.  Some of my faves:

Marley = Wa-we

Love You = Yuv You / Yuv You More

1, 2, 3 = 2, 3, 2

Mama, Come Here = Mama Meer

Please = Peas

Thank You = Tink You

Cookie Monster = Num-a-num-a-num

Shoes = Yous

Keller = Bebe

Your ‘Boppies’ (Buddies) at Ree-Rees – Emma, Archie, Ne-ne (Delaney), Momas (Thomas), Ba-Ba (Bekah), Ya-Ya (Olivia), Yak (Zach), I’is (Willis)

Heeey, Mama Rock Me = Wagon Wheel Lyrics

You are the most perfect little boy I have ever known.  You’re sweet as can be with just a bit of sass and a total Mama’s boy…which I love.  I can’t imagine my world without you.  Happy 2^nd Birthday, Keller Allen!  Yuv You More!