23 Months

Dear Sam,

You turned 23 months old on Friday, March 7.  That means that we have less than one month until your 2nd birthday.  And less than a month to get ready for you party!  Time is flying, and it's so hard to believe that soon we won't be telling your age in months.

We still do not have height or weight measurements.  I just know you're heavy and tall.  You are growing out of your 24 month clothing, and it's time for a size 7 shoe.  You are wearing size 5 diapers. People constantly remark how big you are and constantly are surprised that you're almost as big as Avery.

You're sleeping and eating habits remain the same.  We are thrilled about the sleep and making the most of your eating as a mainly fruit- and dairy-tarian.  You still get a cup of milk in the morning and before bed.  We'll see how you tolerate the switch to 2% after your birthday.  You drink only water other than that.  If we're out and a juice comes with your meal, we will let you drink it, especially if Avery chooses to drink hers.  I took you both out to lunch yesterday and had to chuckle over how things change with a 2nd child as I handed you your juice box and bag of Doritos.

You are chattering up a storm these days and coming up with new words all of the time.  You have been putting 2-3 words together awhile now to say a few phrases, and you are putting together more and more.  Sadly, it's things like "stop it" or "go away" but that's just a part of your age.  I heard the "go away" yesterday for the first time as you sat in the tent by yourself.

Playtime still involves whatever toys are around.  You especially love little figurines, which anyone could have guessed if they counted how many Disney pictures featured your tiny Buzz.  You and Avery are playing more and more and having so much fun.  I don't know how much you understand what she is doing, but I looked the other day and she had you covered up on the living room sofa and you were laying as still as could be.  She had evidently at least got the sleep message across.  You love outside but it has been either cold, snowy, rainy, or a combination of those for the last month it seems.  You even took the Gator for a surprise spin in the garage the other day since we just can't get outside.  TV is most certainly your weakness.  You want it on all.day.long. to a show or movie you approve of.  You and Avery can be playing in the front of the house and I will turn the volume down and try to change it to the weather, and you come yelling.  I really think it's a comfort habit for you, because you really fall to pieces if we don't change the channel or turn it on.  We're going to work on cutting this back majorly, especially as the weather improves.  Right now your favorites are all of the Toy Story movies, Despicable Me, and Mickey.

Two is coming, and while we've been in the pre-two behavior for awhile, it hasn't been too bad.  Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.  You use "no" a lot more than Avery did, and you can make yourself go limp if you don't want to be picked up.  You will lightly hit yourself or another object if you're upset, and I could almost laugh.  It's so obvious that you're just trying to show that you're displeased and don't have enough words to do it.  You have been very much a Mama's boy lately, even crying if Daddy tries to put you to bed.  It's just another stage that we know will pass soon.

Sam, you keep us laughing and on our toes all day long.  Today you sat on the pew for the children's sermon instead of being held, and I couldn't decide if I needed to hold my breath or giggle as I watched.  Life is meant to be explored and enjoyed as far as you're concerned, and we're having so much fun watching you.  As busy as you are, you still love to rock-rock and cuddle, and you are rarely too busy to lean in for one of your signature forehead kisses.  We love you and can't wait to keep experiencing this life with you.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy