Ethan is 2

Ethan turns 2 years old tomorrow.  I still remember clearly the waiting, the tears, the cookies & cream ice cream, the walks, the coughing,  the 3 am contractions multiple nights in a row, etc.  Perhaps that should have been my first indication that he would be a strong-willed little guy.  He was going to come out when he was good and ready and test his mama's patience in the meantime :)  But it did make these moments all the sweeter.

Ethan is a bright, charming, on-the-go toddler.  Sometimes I feel like he never stops moving.... which is kind of impressive, since he prefers to spend most of his time looking at/reading books and doing puzzles.  But even then, he squirms and stands up and sits down and readjusts all the time.  He is also a talker.  It continues to blow my mind, since neither Ryan nor Kaeden were particularly early talkers or very talkative by the age of two.  But Ethan makes himself known in a very verbal way.  He always wants to know what things are called (books and songs in particular lately), and he seems to retain that information very effectively, so he has a huge vocabulary.

Like I said, his favorite activities are reading and doing puzzles.  He adores puzzles.  He is also moderately obsessed with the game, Sequence for Kids.  It involves animals, which is his other primary interest.   Give him a puzzle or a book about animals, and he's good to go.  Unfortunately, he has recently stopped being satisfied with doing those activities on his own, which means I am either doing them with him or he is whining at my heels... or purposefully trying to punish me for not paying him attention by getting into trouble.  Did I mention that he's strong-willed?

While he wants constant companionship, Ethan loves to do things himself.  I can't count the number of times I hear, "SELF!" every day.  He is determined to figure this world out, one way or the other.

Ethan is our little family clown, which is a title I thought would always belong to Kaeden, but Kaeden really just loves to be silly mostly for his own benefit.  Ethan seeks to entertain with his humor and he loves to laugh with his brothers.  And speaking of his brothers, he adores them.  He always needs to know where they are... on mornings when Kaeden's at school, he often repeats, "Daddy work?  Ry Ry school?  Kaeden school?"  He & Ryan are such sweet buddies.  Ryan is super patient with Ethan, and Ethan treasures every bit of attention he gets from his biggest brother.  Kaeden and Ethan get into it more, which is not surprising since they're only 2 years apart in age, but they still like playing together and are great company for each other when Ryan is at school.

Ethan adores his extended family as well.  He really appreciates having his aunt, uncle, and cousins so close and has a special bond with each of them.  And he thinks the world of each of his grandparents.  He is one lucky boy!

He always has smiles for Auntie!

He enjoys playing outside in general, especially now that we can go in the woods again. He loves to explore and go for hikes.  And, of course, if we happen to encounter any animals along the way, then all the better!

Ethan still loves his "Bubba" and sleeps snuggled up with him every night.  He likes to be "cozy," and insists on being covered up by two blankets as well as his sleepsack when I tuck him in at night.  He still takes a nap almost every day.  Most of the time, during the week, I have to wake him up after an hour or so to go pick Ryan up from school, and he is such a good sport about it.  He typically just sits up, looks at me, and says, "Time go get Ry Ry?"

Thankfully, in spite of his constant motion, he is still willing to give me quick snuggles here and there, especially at bedtime.  I treasure these moments, because I know they will pass so quickly. 

My favorite Ethanism as an almost 2 year old: consistently calling marshmallows "mushrooms" :)

Ethan is definitely a challenge right now.  There are plenty of things about him that I don't necessarily want to remember forever (think poop), but he is also such a joy and a sweet companion for this mommy.  He keeps me on my toes, and then he flashes me his beautiful smile, and I am always thankful for each new day with him.

Happy Birthday, my baby.  Mommy loves you.