Da-Boo

2 years old
What is Da-Boo?
It is Evan's favorite word. We have no idea what it means, but he says it all day. He says it while pointing to a toy he dropped, while pointing at food he wants in the refrigerator, while pointing at daddy using the drill outside. WHAT IS DABO?

On the flip side, he has starting stringing together 2 words. He says "daddy go," "mommy go," "no go go," "mommy car," "my gogo [which means my yogurt]," "my gugu [which means my juice]," and things like that.

I was getting worried he wasn't developing fast enough because I hear all these amazing success stories about other kids who recited Shakespeare at age 2, but we met with his doctor and went down the whole developmental checklist. He was right on for everything and ahead on a few things (mostly the physical things). The only one he was behind on is he doesn't jump yet. But she is only concerned if there are a few things they're behind on. My theory is that moms whose kids are ahead share those success stories with everyone, and moms who are worried keep quiet about it. So I shall worry no more.

Now it's my turn to brag, but it is my blog, so I get to.
He started to announce when he needs to use the potty. We put him on yesterday, and he peed about 2 drops. A few minutes later I got him up and he finished emptying his bladder all over the floor. So we are working on it. Not there yet, but working on it.

He has had 3 ear infections in 2 months. The doctor talked about the possibility of putting tubes in his ears, but I'm not crazy about that idea. I said we need one more chance to get over this, and then we'll talk about tubes. It just sounds so invasive. But I don't really know a whole lot about it, either.

Tonight he gets to see his girlfriend Lexi while Jerry and I have a date. I can't wait.

Evan has a girlfriend

Last weekend we had Lexi over to our house for a playdate (actually, her mom and I are swapping babysitting hours, so neither of us has to pay a sitter). Evan followed her around everywhere, they giggled at the same things, they ran in circles around the house for an insanely long time, they played play-dough together and went down the slide together. They were both so cute and happy.

At one point, I went to take their picture, and I told Evan to put his arm around her. He looked confused, so I said, "put your arm around her." So, instead of putting his left arm around her, which was the arm closest to her, he took a step away from her and placed his right arm on her arm. He was trying...

And the end of the night, they kissed goodbye... twice.

That same weekend, he peed in the potty four times, but he hasn't been interested since then. Hmmm...

Happy Birthday to Evan!

I don't think he cares that it's his Birthday.

Evan's Birthday expectations: come home from daycare, play with garden hose in front yard with daddy, greet mommy and sit in her lap for awhile, pull mommy's finger to backyard to play with sprinkler, eat hotdogs, chase the cat, take bath, go to bed.

Our expectations: Go toy shopping! Pick out Birthday gift in elation! Blow out Birthday candle and eat cake!! Open gifts!

How it really went involved crying on the way to the toy store, only wanting to play with the big, expensive train set, a dinner at IHOP that involved spilled ice water and preoccupation with picking up the ice on the floor for the duration of the meal, going home and blowing out the Birthday candle but then crying because the flame is gone, eating cake and then spitting it out.

Sorry for placing all those expectations on you, sweetie. Sometimes life is better when it's simple.

Letter to my boy on his 2nd birthday

First, I'm so proud of you. My heart bursts just thinking of all that you have become. You're all I can talk about wherever I go and people who haven't even met you in person know your every accomplishment. They say I'm a lucky father. Yes, I am.

I think a man hopes to see himself in his son and I'm no different, but when I look at you I see a person already capable of being much greater than myself, a little man more outgoing and tons happier than I ever was, a fiesty redhead that even says "mine" and "no" with a sly half grin.

And you have so much ahead you, but for now lets think about whats passed.

Thank you for being cuddly, for being easy going in the face of major changes, for adapting easily to daycare and the move, for taking to the weening process and the sleep training, and thank you for forgiving usour daily mistakes. Thank you for the hugs and kisses every morning. I hope those will never end.

That said, we still need to work on potty training and hair-pulling. None of us are perfect and I will never expect perfection from you.

I'm trying to think up some incredibly deep piece of advice that will help guide through the rest of your life and all I can come up with is, don't leave your car without first setting your parking brake. Oh and I love you with all of my heart.

Happy 2nd Birthday my precious baby boy.