We went on a date today. I felt like you needed some mommy time. You've done SO well adjusting to our new little addition, and are such a kind and gentle big brother. But in the bustle of activity at home, you seem to be getting more frustrated and easily upset. It's hard being two. You have to do lots of things you don't really like... letting us help you brush your teeth (you want to do it yourself), take naps, eat food you don't care for (you are a pretty picky eater.) And you have to share and take turns with your little brother. It's hard to remember that. So we went out together, just you and me. You love the library - so we went there first. And you got to do whatever you wanted. You went for the Thomas trains, and then the puzzles. Then we discovered the computer with games. You had so much fun pressing the keyboard, which made the musical instruments on the screen play notes. And you were so adorable with those little headphones on! You could have played that game forever.
I let you pick out a movie. You picked the Leapfrog Christmas movie to bring home - we borrowed it a couple months ago and you watched it so many times. You call it "Christmas Tad" - I don't think we'll ever go to the library now without borrowing a copy of Christmas Tad. :) You also picked something out for Ben. Sweet boy.
We stopped by the post office afterwards to grab some stamps and mail a letter, and then we went to Sonic for a treat. I unbuckled your car seat and let you climb up into the front while we waited for our ice cream. How cool were you!?
The whole time we were in the car, you clutched that movie in your hands. You were so serious about it.
Then they brought our food. We got ice cream to share, and some fries and a drink. You aren't into ice cream all that much - you had a few bites, but were mostly interested in the fries. You got your own box and that was just the best thing ever.
We headed home after that, listening to our Wee Sing CD all the while. You LOVE that CD. We can't listen to anything else in the car now. You and Ben always request the CD and are not happy until I turn it on. It's cute to hear you sing along. If you try to sing and can't keep up with all the words, you just sing the last word of each line. And you have great pitch, too.
You were sad when we got home, because you knew it was nap time, which you hate - but, you still need. We would have difficult evenings if I let you stay up in the afternoon. Usually you cry for a couple minutes, but then conk out, always with your pillow over your head or most of your body.
You have the cutest little personality. You can be so serious one minute, and so happy and goofy the next. You love puzzles, playing with balls, and your trains, of course. You can write all your letters (always uppercase) and are finally starting to draw things other than letters! You know all your colors, and your new favorite thing is to talk about your "favorite color." Your favorite color of the day always corresponds with what you're wearing. Yesterday you wore a white t-shirt to bed, and your favorite color was white. Today your shirt was red, and so was your favorite color. It cracks me up. You noticed one day that when your glasses caught the sunlight a certain way, there was a "rainbow" on the lenses. Now you always try to find the rainbow. You'll stand by the window and tilt your head around until you can see it. :)
I love all the cute little things you do, and I don't want to forget any of them. I can't believe how quickly you're growing - you'll be 3 in a couple months! Three years old! That is HUGE! I was talking to Daddy last night about how old you're getting. He's excited to see you grow up, but I want you to stay little forever. But since that can't happen... I really want to cherish every minute I have with you, to enjoy all your precious little moments. To live in the moment while not being melancholic about the future. I'll keep trying.
Nate, you are awesome. :)
