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Dear Sam,

You turned two on Friday, March 7!  Sorry I am a little late posting.  We spent your birthday at home since you have been sick, and we were busy getting ready for your party.  Also, please excuse the lack of pictures.  You are a bit tricky to photograph these days, and I haven't been pulling out the big camera as often as I should.  We got lots of pictures at your party yesterday, so I'll post those soon.

You were scheduled to have your two-year well-check tomorrow, but we've postponed it for two weeks so that you can have your ears rechecked at the same time.  You visited the doctor Thursday and weighed in at 29 pounds.  You miraculously stayed well after croup in the fall, but last week your sister shared her fever and cough, and your congestion also caused an ear infection.  You are now on antibiotics and breathing treatments.  We hated that you were sick all week, but we are really thankful that you made it through most of the winter well.

At 29 pounds, you are nearly as heavy as your sister and almost as tall.  You are moving into all 2T clothing and wear a size 7 shoe and size 5 diaper.  You will outgrow sweet one-piece outfits before I know it, so I plan to put you into as many as I can.

Your sleep schedule remains basically the same.  You aren't waking up quite as early most days, although you are cutting your two-year molars, and that has kind of thrown things off.  You also are laying awake in bed some nights before going to sleep.  The 7 p.m. bedtime still seems to work well and gives you sister some solo time, so I think we'll stick with it until the summer at least.

You continue to challenge me with your eating preferences.  You do pretty good with breakfast (oatmeal, bars, cereal, pancake, waffles) and lunch (grilled cheese, pb&j, nuggets, the occasional hotdog, and a rare piece of deli meat).  It's dinner that you simply will not try anything of what I fix.  It still goes on your plate along with a yogurt, cheese, fruit and/or pouch that I know you will eat.  I'm usually hopping up a few more times to get you more of the mentioned items, so while I don't fix you something separate, I'm concerned you're being catered to a little bit too much.  Eating is my number one question for your check-up.  You are growing, and I'm not worried about that, but there is a fine line between ruining you and a screaming fit at dinner.  You still drink milk in morning and night and water in between with the occasional juice while we're out.  Avery still rarely finishes a juice while you suck it down as soon as it is put in front of you.

Your favorite toys continue to be your Toy Story pals and other little figures like the pirates, Little People, etc.  You like to push items around the house, like your grass cutter or Bitty's stroller.  You love to set up the tent, and you love to play Avery's crazy games.  You also got some fun new things for your birthday that are already big hits.  I'm thrilled that warmer weather must be coming soon, and I know you are too.  You love to be outside and usually go the other way when I get to Jen-Jen's and you're busy playing.  You must choose your own book each night, and of course there is still the TV issue.  You want the TV on to something you approve of 24/7.  I don't know when this even started, but we are working our way back out of it.  You know which remote you need to request certain TV shows or movies, and you know if we need change TV inputs for the DVD player or Apple TV.  You don't miss much, buddy.  Your obsession with Toy Story has died down a little, and you are on a Mickey kick now.  Luckily, you also like Frozen, since Avery wants to watch it all the time.  You even walk around singing "Let it Go."

Your age is definitely showing, but things really aren't that bad.  You say no....a lot.  You will even yell and scream no.  It's the only way you can show your displeasure.  The yelling usually involves the TV not being on or a dinner issue, and those have been fueled by your sickness this past week.  You like to throw, and usually that seems like for fun instead of anger.  You will push and hit Avery, so we are working on that, and you have also been known to use Duckie as a weapon.  So far, Avery has been the main recipient, other than the nice lady at Disney you swung Duckie at.  Mommy and Daddy constantly pray for guidance during this stage!

Hopefully the twos will pass even quicker now that you are rapidly adding to your vocabulary.  You are like a little parrot, repeating everything we say and talking in 2- and 3-word phrases.  I love to hear you say Avery's name (for a long time you said it with your mouth closed) and your buddies names.  We list them frequently.  All these words do mean that you can express your true thoughts, but it is such a joy to hear you learning and growing.  You "say" the blessing with us and count 1, 2, 9.  In addition to talking, you've also pottied several times for Jen-Jen.  I think it's been more luck than anything, but it's a step in the right direction.  I'm sure there may come a day when I'm pulling my hair out to get you out of diapers, but right now I'm just not concerned with it.  When you show me that you're really ready, then we'll get busy.

Sam, you are such a precious gift in our lives.  Words could never express the joy, love, and fun that you show each day.  Things are always an interesting adventure with you around, and we love waiting to see what you will discover next.  We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy