Dear DJ,
You turned 2 1/2 a few days ago. Part of me feels like you are at least that old; it's hard to remember a time when you weren't in my life (I know it's cliche, but it's true). Another part of me feels like you are growing up too fast and that you need to stay little (I think you agree - you often tell me, "Mom, I not a big boy! I want to stay little!" There's no arguing with that).
We went in for your 30 month checkup yesterday. Not often do parents say this, but your appointment was awesome. You were so cute and friendly and talkative with the doctor. He was amazed at how well you speak and how smart you are - he even found a sucker for you afterwards. You talked to him about his stethoscope and about your toy one at home. And you told him thank you at the end of your check up (you are super polite). Plus, your measurements were great. You are a tiny kid and in the past 6 months you've learned how to eat, so it was awesome to see some progress in your growth. The last time I wrote down your measurements, they were the ones I'd taken at home. The ones we got at your last doctor's appointment were dismal - your weight wasn't even on the charts because you were so skinny. Now, you've made it all the way to the 3rd percentile, clocking in at 24.8 pounds, gaining 2 pounds since 6 months ago. Way to go, buddy! Your height made it to 35.5 inches, which is almost a 2 inch gain. I mean, it's still the 33rd percentile, but dang, kid! Way to grow! Your head made it all the way to the 8th percentile at 47 centimeters, but your head has always been small. Growth is growth - I'll take it!
As I've been thinking about how much you've grown and changed since your birthday 6 months ago, I was struck with the need to write this all down. It goes so fast, and I feel like I forget the little things that are so cute and so precious. I want to remember the funny things you say and the person you are right now. Plus, who knows? You might also like knowing who you were, too.
You are hilarious. You love to say, "Did I make a joke?" and to make people laugh. You will go out of your way to make people smile and laugh. You love to laugh yourself. One of my favorite times of the day is when we have silly time. I love to hear you laugh so hard that you squeal. You like to poke and tickle and tease. You have learned the things that I laugh at that I don't want to laugh at because I'm trying to set an example, and you push those buttons until I do laugh. You love to be silly and make up funny dances and pull funny faces.
You are such a little boy. If something can in any way, shape, or form be a gun or a sword, it absolutely is. You asked for a gun (you call them pew-pews) for Christmas. Sometimes you fall asleep cuddling your Nerf guns. You love balls, cars, and wrestling. You often tackle me or your dad and yell, "Wrestle!" You love to run and jump and collect rocks and pine cones. You love doing what you call "kakking," which is basically both of us karate chopping each others' hands at the same time.
You are a really good cook. You can get ingredients out of the pantry for me, pull out your stool, plug in the hand or stand mixer, dump ingredients into the bowl unassisted, hold measuring cups and spoons while I pour stuff in, help me crack open eggs, operate both the hand and stand mixer, turn on the oven light, hand mix, roll things out, etc. You love to help me cook. I have to remind you not to eat things with raw egg, but you know when I say "raw egg," it's a no-go for eating. You ask me almost daily when our next cooking class will be. But you hate having your hands messy and want them washed as soon as you're done using them for whatever kitchen surprise we're up to.
One of these days, you're going to realize that sleep won't kill you. I have struggled with you and sleep since day one. I think I need more sleep than you do. You still don't sleep through the night. I finally just put you in a toddler bed so you can get out and walk into my room when you wake up in the middle of the night. You usually start the night in your bed and end the night in mine. Most people would get annoyed, but I love it. You and I are really good at cuddling. You have a hard time falling asleep without cuddling me, and I often feel overwhelmed with love for you during our special quiet snuggle time. You like to worm your little arm behind my back, curl your knees up, roll into my side, tuck your head under my chin, and hold my hand until you pass out. I mean, come on - who could say no to that?
You talk. All. Day. Long. Often you repeat things, but that's mostly because I don't give you what you think is a satisfactory answer. You are able to string together 15 word long sentences and you really express yourself well. You like to tell me that you're obnoxious when something is happening that you don't like (thanks for that, Finding Nemo). You even talk in your sleep. You've got a lot to say, and I love to hear your stories, your pretending, your thoughts, and your fully formed arguments as to why you should/shouldn't do things. And, boy, are you opinionated. And you're not quiet about it! (You 100% get that from me, by the way - ask your Grandma Hall!) There's no talking you into/out of things without some serious distraction. It's frustrating in the moment, but you're going to need that spice and fire. You're growing up in a crazy world and you're going to need to be able to stand up for yourself and others with no fears.
You like your TV shows. You get one that you like, and we watch it at least once a day for months. First, it was Signing Time. Then I got you onto Curious George. We started Daniel Tiger from there. Sometimes it's Frozen. Sometimes it's Wreck It Ralph. Sometimes it's Penguins of Madagascar. Lately it's been the Star Wars episode of Phineas and Ferb. First thing in the morning, you want something to eat and to watch a show. It's a silly morning routine of ours that helps both you and I wake up and be prepared for the day.
Speaking of Star Wars, you are obsessed. You own 4 light sabers, a Yoda costume, a Chewbacca costume, a Storm Trooper costume, a Storm Trooper mask, a Darth Vader mask, a Darth Vader watch, a Darth Tater Mr. Potato Head, C3PO headphones, and several little Storm Trooper or R2D2 toys. It's all the time. You pretend to have a communicator on your arm so that you, as Obi Wan Kenobi, can talk to Anaken Skywalker. You often ask me to be Ahsoka Tano. You like to beep like R2D2. You like Clone Troopers more than just about anything else (your favorite is Rex) and you like to pretend to shoot the droids. You and your dad like to shoot the droids together and I often hear your pretend Droid Poppers going off. You like to pretend to get shot so that you can flop onto your face, spread out your arms, and yell, "I'm okay!" You and your dad have watched all of the cartoons and movies 1-6 together. I'm sure when movie 7 comes out on DVD, you'll watch that one, too. You don't seem to know now, but one day you'll find out that I've never seen them, and we might be in a fight.
You and I are best friends. For better and for worse. You love to hang out with me and you love to tell me things and you love to fight with me. And you love to throw a fit when I leave. If your dad is staying with you when I run an errand, you are usually okay, but I literally have to sneak out of the room when I leave you with a babysitter or at nursery class at church. At some point, you realize I'm gone and you lose it until someone distracts you. I know you'll learn to be more independent as you get older, but I hope you and I stay good buddies.
You are so stinking smart. You figure things out and think deeply about things. You can re-tell the story of Jesus walking on the water to a T. You like to be read to and quickly memorize the books so you can "read" along. You wanted to run in a store the other day and I told you that you had to stay by me. You got quiet for a minute, lost in thought. Then you looked at me and said, "Mom, can I slow run?" You then proceeded to slow-motion run right next to me. I was dying - it was so cute and so funny! You like to learn and to have conversations. However, if a question is asked that you don't know the answer to, you always, without fail, respond, "Um, it's about skating." You mean skiing, as in what you saw Uncle Danny do at the cabin this last summer. I don't know why that's your default answer, but it's hilarious.
You are very particular about your clothes. You love your "workout running" shirts. You get mad if I put the wrong clothes on you and you freak out until I change your clothes. I'm learning to let you choose and to let you be your own person. I guess you need those clothes so you can exercise. Running takes a lot out of a boy! When I do work out, you insist on doing it with me. You do squats better than I do, you are a pro at push ups, you are a great weight lifter, and you absolutely must have your own yoga mat when we work out.
You love music. You love singing along to songs and will absolutely correct me if I get the lyrics wrong, even if I'm joking. You will dance just about anywhere, any time, for anyone. You've got the rhythm in you and it just won't stop!
Your prayers crack me up. You can never decide if you're going to fold your arms or your hands. Then, you start by saying, "Heavenly Father, Name a Jesus, Amen." Then once we get you started with an actual prayer, you tend to list all sorts of funny things that you're grateful, and for some reason, you always bless "the great big gorilla." You usually end up thanking God for yourself about 3 times and asking him to bless you about 4 times. And you just can't sit still or keep your eyes closed during the prayer. But heaven forbid anyone but you say a prayer!
You love to help me pick out food at the grocery store. We always end up with one more apple/orange/lemon/pear than I intended to get because you always want to put just one more into the bag. You love getting to help and feeling like a grown up. You love to know what's on the shopping list and you love saying hi to the cashiers. You are notorious for begging them for stickers, too.
You are the sweetest and politest 2 year old ever. You love to say thank you. You often apologize, and sometimes for silly things. ("Mom, sorry I bonked my head." "You don't have to be sorry." "Yes I DO!") You love to give hugs and to hold hands. You are pretty good at giving smooches, too. And you love to tell me randomly throughout the day that you love me. It warms my heart. It's so great to be driving back from the grocery store and to hear you from the back seat from out of nowhere say, "Hey mom? I wuv you!"
I could go on (I kind of have), but this is a pretty good glimpse of who you are at 2 1/2. DJ, I want you to know how much your dad and I love you. We wanted to have you in our home so badly and have loved having your presence in our lives. You are the greatest blessing in our lives. You inspire me and drive me to be a better person. You uplift me and you love me despite of my failings as a mom. I am so glad to get to be your mom and to get to watch you grow.
Love,
Mom
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