2.5

Dear Sam,

You turned 2.5 on September 7!  I am behind because I had big ambitions of getting some good pictures with the big camera.  Since October is coming, I decided it was time to get this done.

You had your checkup last week, and you are 31 pounds and 36 or 37 inches.  You are high in your height percentile and low in your weight.  You're only 3 pounds shy of your sister, though, so you're plenty big.  You wear mostly 2T clothes but some shirts and all longalls are 3T.  You shoe size is an 8.

The biggest news since you turned 2 is that you are well on your way to being potty trained.  Once all the big kids went back to school after Labor Day, Jen-Jen started putting you in underwear during the day.  You had a few accidents before you caught on, but you got the hang of it quickly.  It took you a few more days to potty at home, but I got brave and put you in underwear too.  You've got the easy part of pottying down pat, and you're doing pretty well with the other part too.  You've only had one accident at home, and that was my fault.  Last Saturday we were gone all day, and even though we put a diaper over you underwear, you stayed dry all day.  We are so proud of you.  

Eating and sleeping habits are still basically the same.  We would love to add a few vegetables to your diet and pray that your afternoon nap continues for quiet a while.  You are very mild-mannered and a fairly good listener.  Tears are the main reaction if things aren't going your way.  Our biggest challenge right now is getting you out of the house to run an errand, go to soccer practice, etc. once you have settled in.  You like to go, but I also think you are a homebody like your mama.

Your new love is Thomas.  You always have several trains in your hand, and you want to watch Thomas shows all day long.  You play so nicely at your train table and it's so neat to see you working and thinking quietly.  You still love playing outside, reading books, and joining in on Avery's crazy play ideas.

You still sleep in your crib and have a tight grip on your pacifier.  I have started thinking about your big boy room but hope you will stay in your crib until at least 3 as Avery did.  As for the pacifier, I just have no desire to take it away.  You go all day without it at Jen-Jen's and don't even use it to nap there, so I know you are playing us well.  I'm sure we'll get rid of it by Kindergarten, and it should be noted that it's in your genes to want to keep it that long.

I love to hear you talk.  You have the sweetest voice and put the funniest things together.  You are also quiet the parrot, repeating what any of us say.  Sometimes you voice your opinions a little too clearly.  At a church lunch recently, people sat down at our table and they got a "Shoo, shoo.  Go way."  You like people but you like them on your terms, which involves a little bit of space and a full stomach.

It's so odd to think that you could join Avery and I at school next year.  We are already praying that what you need next year will be very clear to us so that we make the best decision for you.  You have plenty of schooling ahead of you, so I'm in no rush.  I'm also not sure how my mama's boy will do.  Thank goodness we still have time to decide.

 Sam, you are the perfect compliment to our family, always ready with some comic relief or a cuddle.  We are so thankful for the joy and energy you bring into our lives.  We love you to bits and pieces.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy