Milestone Alert: Alexander is 2!

My darling Alexander,

Happy Birthday, baby boy! Oh my gosh, we can't figure out where the time has gone. Is it really possible that you're 2 already?! You've grown and learned so much this year. You continue to be an absolute joy in our lives and we always marvel at your easygoing temperament. You are as sweet as can be and you are generally very happy. That said, you are two, so there are bound to be some issues from time to time. Your new favorite way to annoy mommy and daddy is to throw your food on the floor when you're finished eating. You enjoy throwing your cup, too, and often that makes the valve pop out and liquid leaks everywhere. Yeah, that's not my favorite thing either, but you spend most of your time being an angel so we're willing to deal with a few transgressions from time to time.

At your well-baby check up, the nurse asked if you're saying at least 20 words. I immediately confirmed that to be the case and then later, daddy and I were trying to think of all the words you say. I thought it would be fun to list them here for posterity. They are as follows:

uh oh
mama
dada
sis
Noonah (Juliana)
noonah (banana)
dandet (your beloved blanket)
doggie (bark bark!)
cat (eeeeeoooooooooooww)
cow (moooo)
beeah (bear)
beebah (zebra)
Bue Cues (Blue's Clues)
Wow Wow Wubby (Wow Wow Wubsy)
Peep
eat (usually Eat! Eat! Eat!)
cheese
cacker
gooookie (cookie)
apple
lape (grapes)
wapple (waffle)
juice (clear as day)
gerger (burger)
goger (yogurt)
eeyah (pizza)
bah (bar)
hi (in a high-pitched voice)
lo' (hello)
buh bye
yes
noooo (in a high, singy songy, matter-of-fact voice)
baby
car
choo choo
baw (ball)
book
bowie (boy)
doo (shoe)
da (sock)
kay (okay)
ride
pee pee
poo poo
OW!
nah naaa (knock knock...you're a HUGE fan of the knock knock joke!)
peek
bass (bath)
teese (teeth)
Pooh
Ama
Ampa
Nana
go
up
dow (down)
ya you (love you)
nah ni (night night)
uh (one)
two
ee (three)
ou (four)
eye (five)
i (six)
ay (eight)
nigh (nine)
te (ten)

We're having a great time teaching you new words every day. Your latest new word is "zebra" which you pronounce "beebah". You were looking at a book about a zebra at Ama and Ampa's cabin and you said "beebah" every time you saw one (and there were a lot.) As you were closing the book, you said, "Buh bye, beebah." It was precious and clued us in that full sentences aren't far behind.

You are very playful and often laugh with unadulterated glee (as you're doing now running around behind me while I type.) We can (almost) always count on you for a sweet smile and a giggle, especially when we do high five, down low, cut the pickle, tickle tickle tickle! That's your favorite game and it never fails to crack you up.

You've become increasingly fascinated with the inner workings of the bathroom, much to my dismay. You find it necessary to flush the toilet 1-3 times after it's already been flushed and you are an expert toilet paper dispenser. Whether toilet paper is needed is not your concern.

You love your sisters and they love you right back. Kathryn spends a lot of time making you laugh and Juliana has recently decided that she does, indeed, like you. This has not been the case for the last 2 years, so we're pleased with her recent change of heart. :) I'm not sure what did it, but I hope it continues!

On your actual birthday, we went to Juliana's soccer game and then spent the rest of the day traveling to Ama and Ampa's cabin. GiGi was there, too, to help you celebrate your big day.

We visited for a while before bed and then celebrated your birthday the next day. Mommy made you a train cake because every time you see or hear a train, you say, "Choo Choo!" I worked on it well into the wee hours of the morning, but my lack of sleep was well worth it when I awoke to you hollering "Choo Choo" upon seeing your special birthday cake.

We had pizza for lunch and then I presented your cake. You weren't really sure what to make of the candles so Kathryn, Juliana and I helped you blow them out. You got to eat the mini-cake riding on the caboose of the train. We opened presents and you had a blast playing with the Little People Train Ama and Ampa got you and the Racin' Ramp Garage from us. It was a fun day and you stayed very busy with your new toys!

Well, my little Pumpkin Pie, that about wraps up your 2nd birthday extravaganza. As you can see, we absolutely adore you and we're so happy you are a part of our family.

We love you very much,
Mommy, Daddy, Kathryn and Juliana