Aiden: The Two Year Old

Our little bug, Aiden, turned two on Sunday! I can't believe how fast the past two years have gone. Looking at Andrew, I can't believe that just two years ago Aiden was just a teeny, sleepy newborn. The past two years have been the best years of our lives and I am so excited to see where the future takes our little Aiden:)

I can't believe how much you know and can do for such a little boy:

• Your language has picked up like crazy the past months! Now, you make two and three word sentences. You know a TON of words-some of your favorite things to talk about are: your family members (including aunts, uncles, cousins), modes of transportation (choo-choo train, trucks, bus), animals (Sheffy and Abby-my mom's cat), Mickey Mouse and Elmo, asking for food (milk, waffles, snacks, etc.), winter things (Santa, snowmen, and House-our elf) and SO much more! You can almost count to ten and just started naming colors. You like to help make decisions on what we are doing (playing toys or reading books, what outfit to wear, what books to read, etc.). You try to procrastinate the next activity by holding up your fingers and saying "two minutes" more! Most of the day, you never even stop talking!!
• You are still my tiny little bug. At your two year appointment, you weighed in at 22 pounds and are about 32 inches. You still remain below the third percentile in weight and height, although you are still growing along your own curve:)
• Although you are small, you have become a much better eater the past few months! You continue to eat three meals a day and two snacks (which makes the doctor happy) and we will continue you on whole milk for awhile longer. Your favorite breakfast foods are: oatmeal, bananas, and waffles. For lunch, you love fruit, Go-Gurts, peas, and other random selections. You often eat what we are eating for dinner, although sometimes you choose to be picky and refuse to eat! You rarely choose to eat meat and can be somewhat picky when it comes to vegetables, but Mommy still tries to feed you well-balanced meals every day. You love snacks...your favorites are cereal bars, apple crushers from Trader Joes, goldfish, and fruit snacks. I'm always trying new things, but it often ends up in the NO MORE category!
• You have started to watch a few shows on television (mostly due to the fact that Mommy needs to entertain you while she is feeding little Andrew)! You love Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Wheels on the Bus, and this December...you have enjoyed a little Frosty the Snowman:) Although, with your short attention span, you rarely watch a whole show before moving on to the next activity!
• You definitely have started the toddler meltdowns:) When I'm not tired and stressed, these little outbursts make me laugh! But sometimes, they add a little more tension to the house. When the tantrums get serious enough, you take a little "Uh Oh" break in your room to give you some time to cool off. Most of these tantrums, lately!, are due to electronics:) You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE anything electronic that adults use, such as iPods, iPhones, and computers. You may be one of the only two year olds who know the word, iPod. And you often ask to dance to music on the iPod. I think that you know how to use the iPhone better than your mommy does, often trying to manipulate Daddy or Grandpa Ruff into letting you borrow theirs;) I'm not sure how you learned to slide the bar across the screen or click on your own game applications. You love electronics so much that Mommy keeps her computer, camera, iPod, and cell phone away for most of the day, only bringing them out at naptime and bedtime! One reason that I'm never caught up on email or phone calls:)
• Despite the tantrums, 95 percent of the day, you are a bubbly, wild, joyful two year old. You have such a great sense of humor and sometimes I wonder what crazy thing you are going to do next;) You often crack up for no apparent reason! You love to dance-doing twirls, rolling your hands, head banging, and bobbing up and down all over the floor. You love to chase the dogs, especially Sheffield, often following him up on the top of the couch. When people sneeze, you often throw your self on the floor and say "Bless You".
• You love to be out and about, seeing new people and doing new things! One of your favorite things to do is going to the library storytime. You talk about the bubbles and stamps the whole way there and the whole way home. This month, you have been carrying Mimi (Grandma)'s purse to her and ask to go "shopping". You love to say "hi" and talk to people waiting in line and other random strangers.
• We have spent a lot of time at home this month, especially since your brother was just born! You LOVE to help do any chores, especially sweeping and vacumning. Your favorite toys right now are: the Cozy Coupe, Mickey Mouse, books, your new Handy Manny tool set, bubbles, your phones, cars and buses, and balls. Although with all the visitors we have had, you just love tagging along on the bottom of their shoes trying to get their attention and include you on their activities!!
• Now, at two years old, you are BIG brother! You give your brother kisses and point out his body parts. You call him "baby" and let mommy know if he is crying or napping. You try to give Andrew his pacifier and just yesterday, you were trying to soothe him when he was crying in his carseat before we left. You like to help give his bath, although I think you like to help because Mommy lets you play with the lotion bottle while she is busy trying to quickly clean your screaming brother!

Here are some pictures of our favorite two year old!!!!!

SOO happy

Getting ready to eat his Elmo birthday cake:)

Showing off his belly while riding around the house

Thanks Mommy and Daddy for my own broom!!!

Aiden, we love you SO much and are SO thankful that you were brought into our lives two years ago!!!!