2.5 Years Old

Happy HALF birthday to my little man, my handsome fellow, my Luke Edward!  You are the quintessential two year old, a perfect blend of crazy tantrums and adorable sweetness all rolled up in the cutest little boy I have ever known.  

Luke loves the water- bath, ocean, pools, shower, sprinkler, rain, water dripping out the bottom of our flower boxes... he's happy if he's wet.  Even washing hands lasts forever because this little fishy doesn't want to stop playing with the faucet.  Other interests at age two and a half include watching Paw Patrol, climbing on Matt, chasing Kate, snacking, and being outside.

Luke is very considerate of others, for example he is the first in our house to say "Bless you!" when someone sneezes or runs over concerned when I say "Ow!" from bumping into something he kisses the boo-boo and asks "You OK, Mommy?"  

Favorite foods: oatmeal, avocado, popcorn shrimp, sour cream on anything, Parmesan cheese on anything, pop tarts, goldfish, juice

Dislikes: getting dressed in the morning, when Kate tells him to leave her room, when Kate gets to do little things that he wanted to do himself like open the pantry door or turn on a light, authority

Other favorites: Reading Penguin and Pinecone, singing Jesus Loves Me, wearing the same Mickey Mouse shirt over and over (and flipping out if it is unavailable), hiding, his Bearby, and riding his rocket around the living room while shouting "zoom! zoom!" or "blast off!"

Sometimes Luke still wakes up in the middle of the night.  Usually he has lost his Bear or pacifier.  Lately, it's because he wants to come in our bed, where he is not welcome due to his squirmy, playful behavior.  If he would lay still and cuddle he might be allowed, but that is not the case so he doesn't get to visit.  He has climbed out of his crib before, but luckily he hasn't tried it since.

I love this age even though it comes with many challenges (like potty training, lack of logic, stubborn opinions, angry outbursts that include biting and hitting, and picky eating).  The fierce hugs, and "I love you Mommy" shouts, and hysterical giggle fits, and creative little mind learning and processing right before my eyes make it an amazing time.

Kate and I have been singing "You Are My Sunshine" to Luke at bedtime since he was a tiny baby, and it is still so true- Luke, you'll never know dear, how much we love you!  Thank you for brightening up our lives more than we ever could have dreamed.