two years, three weeks

Dear Zac,

The following conversation took place on Saturday morning while we were out for a walk.

Me: Zachary, you need to hold Mommy or Daddy's hand while crossing the street.
You: (while attempting to pull your hand out of my grasp) It's MY hand. MY hand!
Daddy: Hold mommy's hand in the street.
You: It's MYYYYYYYY hand!!!
Me: (grabbing the edge of your sleeve) It IS your hand, but you're still going to hold mine when we cross the street.

You see, Zac. Since you're only 2, not everything that belongs to you is yours to control.

Some other examples:

When you throw your toys, yes, they are still technically "your" toys, but Mommy and Daddy will still take them away. "But it's MY toy!" doesn't really mean much at that point.

When you throw your water, yes, technically it is still "your" water, but Mommy and Daddy will still ask you to pick it up and put it gently on the table. "But it's MY water!" won't get you anywhere.

When you take out off your socks from your drawers and lie down on top of them gathering them all under you like a football player trying to maintain control of the ball after being tackled, Mommy and Daddy will still tell you to put them away. (After taking a dozen pictures and videos, of course!) "They're MY socks!" is true, but it's also your mess to clean up.

I have to say, I am quite enjoying this explosion of language recently. It seems that whenever a new tooth comes in (and you've cut 2 molars in the past 2 weeks!) that your sentences become longer and more complex. On average, your sentences range from 4-8 words and your grammar and syntax is excellent. "I need to get out of my crib", "I want to do it myself", "I want to see in the mirror", "I need to eat breakfast" and "I need to play with my toys" are frequent.

I love that we can now have conversations and your answers aren't (usually), just "yes" or "no". I love that you ask for things and people by name. You continue to bring joy and meaning to my life and I love writing these letters to you each week.

Until next time,

Mommy

two years, two weeks

Dear Zac,

"What are you doing?"

This question has become quite a joke around here. While you continue to master the English language, you still continue to need some help using the words "I" or "me" when talking about yourself. "Mommy carry you" really means "Mommy, carry ME", "you did it, Zachary!" means "I did it", "you okay?" means "I hurt myself doing something I shouldn't have been doing" and "what are you doing?" means...

"I know I shouldn't be doing this, so come FAST!"

Yesterday, while I thought you were playing quietly in your room, you were actually in the bathroom. Usually, when you play by yourself, I peek my head in every so often and make sure you're not climbing on the furniture or writing on the walls. Most parents know, silence from your child is not necessarily good! (Just go ask your Aunt Micki.)

So, when I heard you say in your cute little voice, "What are you doing?" after several minutes of quiet, I came fast. Before I made it to the other side of the living room, out you ran from the bathroom with one end of the toilet paper roll. I couldn't help but repeat, "what ARE you doing?" while doing my best to stifle my laughter.

Just a few minutes later, you were settled back with your trucks in your bedroom and I heard a crash. This time it was my turn to ask "what are you doing?". Your response? "I break it!" And you were quite pleased with yourself. So,  I came back to your room, this time a little faster. Your brand new tractor (from cousin Willow), was lying on the floor on its side and the shovel front was in your hand. Mommy was able to easily clip the shovel back on and what did you then say? "I do it again!"and you sent the tractor off the side of your bookcase only to break it again.

Thanks for the endless hours of entertainment.

Love, Mommy

two years, one week

Dear Zac,

What a busy week you had! Your Grandma, Grandpa and Bobé all flew in from California to celebrate your birthday. On Sunday, we celebrated your birthday with a party at home. Mommy made you vegan gingerbread cookies and Tata made you a chocolate cake. You happily devoured several cookies, but when it came time for the cake, you had absolutely no interest. Tata sat you in your booster and offered you your first taste of chocolate. After several attempts at persuading you to take a bite, (yes, I had to beg you to try chocolate!) I finally gave you yet another cookie.

On Monday morning, Mommy and Daddy went to our very first parent-teacher conference. You have quickly warmed the hearts of your teachers and classmates. Your teachers noted that you are both "the youngest in the class, and the oldest" - chronologically, you are the youngest by several months, but you are more verbal, more alert, and a leader among your friends. My little creature of habit, you wait until everyone is asleep and for your teachers to be in the same chair every day before you can take your nap.   If they move to a different place in the room, you won't nap. You notice everything and everyone and are so curious to learn new things. You greet your teachers and friends at the door with a "hello" and their name and a smile,  and you know where everyone is at all times. When someone is late to school, you notice and you ask where they are. When someone leaves the room, you notice and you ask where they are going.

One thing your teachers notice and love about you, and this is something that makes me so happy and proud, is that you are so assertive with your words and not with your body. You don't grab, you don't hit, and you don't push. You use words to express yourself, to express your needs and your wants. (Sometimes quite emphatically!)

I am so proud and so moved by how caring and and considerate you are becoming. You are a happy little boy and I am a very, very lucky mommy.

All my love,
Mommy

two years old

My dearest little boy, Zachary,

Happy birthday! Today you are 2 years old.

When I look at you today, on your 2nd birthday, I am so proud. You are developing quite a unique personality and sense of humor. You make yourself laugh and find the littlest things amusing. I so love getting to know you and teaching you and watching you grow.

The first 2 years of your life have gone by so fast that I decided to write you a letter every week so that years from now, when you ask, "what was I like when I was two?" Or, when you are parent many years from now and ask, "Was I this difficult wonderful?" we will be able to look back at these letters.

I do have to warn you, though. Mommy isn't always going to be happy about all the choices you make and sometimes these letters may be more of a vent than a profession of my undying love for you. What I can say, is that I will always forgive you and I will always love you. No matter what.

Happy birthday!

Love,
Mommy