TWO!!

Dear Luke,

You are TWO, my little boy! Such a big boy you are. It was so special to celebrate your big day with Honey and Grandpa. We just had a simple dinner at home and Honey made you oreo brownies for your birthday dessert. You were delighted when we all began to sing and you saw the sparkling candle on your brownie. You also had a good time opening your presents once you got the hang of it. :) We had a birthday party with your toddler friends the week after your birthday at La Centerra's Central Green and you had a ball running around. I was so glad you were happy at your party this year. So, what stands out about you at age 2?

You love exercising your independence. You buckle yourself into your highchair and stroller now. We just recently let you start walking up and down the stairs, as long as you are holding a hand. This makes you just giddy. This week I needed to run into Walgreens to pick up some pictures and decided to experiment with letting you walk. I told you while you were still in your carseat that I would let you walk, but you needed to hold my hand. You got a big smile on your face and did great. I even had to let go of your hand to pay for the pictures, and told you to stay where you were, which you did! I was so proud.

Your language is exploding. The other day when we drove into the garage, you said "home". It caught me off guard, but then I asked you if you said "home" and you repeated it a few more times. I realized I often tell you "we're home" when we pull into the garage. Yesterday you pointed to a heart in your book and told Daddy, "heart." You are obsessed with numbers and letters and can count and say 1, 2, and 5. I think 5 is your favorite, but hearing you say 2 is my favorite. It's the French two as Daddy says. You will often surprise me by pointing at my shirt or coffee mug and say "I" or "E" and sure enough, I look to see whatever letter you just spouted out. You notice letters everywhere and Honey thinks you're going to be an early reader.

You take pride in a job well done. This morning you were playing in your crib with your new stackadoos while I vacuumed. When I went to get you I asked you to clean up and left for a few minutes to finish getting ready in my room. When I came back you had put every single stackadoo back in the bucket with the lid on. I went overboard praising you and clapping my hands. You clapped, too, and said "yea!" Now that you can open doors, you sometimes go into the storage closet upstairs to pull out a toy. When I say it's time to go downstairs or onto the next activity, you first take the toy, put it back in the closet, and shut the door. You make me proud!

You are happy to play at church, ibloom, and Peyton's house. In fact, last time I went to pick you up from Devyn's, you didn't want to go and cried when I picked you up and carried you out of the house! It is so nice to be able to leave now and not worry about you having a hard time. The exception is when we leave you with a babysitter. When Daddy and I both leave, you cry hard, but apparently it doesn't last long. I'm glad.

Today at lunch Daddy sat down to join us and you looked at us and started to fold your little hands together, like, "Are we forgetting something?" So, we prayed and you said "Amen." I pray that your little heart grows closer and closer to the Lord who loves you more than we even do!

I think you know this, but I am so proud of you, little Luke. I know we have big changes coming soon with the addition of Nora to our family. I am so excited about her and to see you come into your role as big brother. I know it will be an adjustment, but I also know you will adjust. You will always be my special little boy!

Love,
Mommy