21 Months

Dear Sam,

I hope one day you will be confident that the pros of being a 2nd child greatly outnumber the cons, like late monthly posts.  I remembered for a full week that the 7th was approaching then remembered again 5 days later.  We still love you, Buddy!

We have no new measurements but you feel heavier by the day.  You are still wearing 24 month or 2T clothes, size 6.5 shoe, and size 5 diaper.

Your sleep has been a little strange this month but still good overall.  After you had croup, you started taking awhile to fall asleep at night.  You didn't fuss, but you didn't go to sleep quickly like normal.  Then we thought you were sick again, and you had a really bad night.  You weren't sick, so I'm wondering if your 2 year molars are working their way through.  After that bad night you got back on track, but if you have a night that you go to bed a little late, the next few nights you don't go to bed quickly.  You are usually sleeping until at least 6 a.m. and still napping and going to bed at the normal times.

You're eating remains pretty much the same.  You've have picked back up on breakfast items that you snubbed for awhile and are eating good meals at Jennifer's.  Our dinner is never touched on your plate unless it is one of your approved items.  Yogurt, fruit, and cheese are your main dinner items.

You have developed a new love this month: Buzz!  We watch Toy Story or Toy Story 2 all the time.  You ask for it in the morning, in the afternoon when I pick you up, and any other moment that you are not watching it.  It is really cute, but the rest of us are really tired of Buzz and Woody.  You certainly have seen more TV than your sister had at this age, so I hope the cuddling we do when you watch TV negates the rotting of your brain.

We are definitely in the "twos."  I won't say terrible, but they are very different from your sister's time in this stage.  You say no much more than she ever did and just seem a little more emotional and passionate about things that upset you.  You will also hit when you're angry, but only at home.  Jen-Jen was so surprised the first time she saw you hit yourself.  I know you are just expressing yourself the only way you can, and I'm thankful it's reserved for home.  I don't compare you to your sister, but it's so interesting to me how you are so different.  For example, I don't think Avery has ever had a fit in public, while you throw minor ones every time I drag you out of Avery's classroom in the afternoon.

While the times can be trying, they are 10 times more sweet than trouble.  You love to cuddle and are now giving loves with your arms instead of just leaning your head in for a kiss.  You love your family, and you and Avery play some really fun games that only the two of you understand.  You still do funny things that seem babyish, but you are showing big boy behavior that's exciting as well.  I love for you to ask to rock or say "up me" to be held.  There are times that you only want Daddy, but usually you are a mommy's boy.

Sam, you are growing so fast and changing so much.  I just love this age of excitement and learning.  I would love to keep you like this but know things will only be more special as you grow.  We love you to bits and pieces!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy