Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

Dear Little Buddy,

I cannot believe you are already a whole two years old! Seems like only yesterday, you were using my bladder as a trampoline. Fun times! You have so much personality and we just love you so much! You had a really fun birthday party and I hope you know how special you are. We always try to create a birthday theme that will be just exactly what the special birthday boy would like and this year, we didn't even hesitate to choose Barney ("darney") for your party. You love him! I ordered you a HUGE Barney balloon and I will never ever forget your face when you saw it. If you could have snuggled and slept with it, you would have. So fun! You had Barney on your cake and some little Barney plates too. You love love love Barney...not sure why, exactly, but you do!

You also love trains and I'm so glad we got you your very first train set for your birthday present. It's so cute to watch you play with it! You say "I dee I dee" (watch me watch me) when you put the trains on the tracks. The wooden tracks would have frustrated you, but your Papaw fixed it for you so that it doesn't come apart so easily.

You continue to be a fantastic sleeper and we are so glad about that. You are still in your crib and seem to really love it there! You still love your bear and monkey and sleep with them every night. You also still have your pacis - I know we should probably take them away, but I just can't bear to think of you as THAT grown up. You only get them to sleep, so I'm not too worried. I know though when I go to your 2 year check up next week at the Pediatrician's office, I'll probably get a little lecture. Oops.

Here's some other things you are really interested in right now: puzzles, balls, slides and books. You are really getting good at puzzles. You even "help" your brother - it's so cute watching the two of you work together. We've raised up your little Tikes basketball goal to up the challenge for you. (you have to keep up with your buddies Walker and Caden!!!) :-) You got a new swing set for your birthday also, and YOU LOVE IT!!!!! I hear "Idee Idee" a million times a day to watch you go up the rock wall and down your slide. I'm so glad you like it so much!

Jonathan, I hope the rest of your life is as happy as you've made me the first two years with you. I love that you are so compliant (most of the time) and you almost always say "otay" when mommy asks you to do something. I love that you think the "little piggy" trick is the funniest thing on the planet. I love that you are working so hard to learn your words. I love that you yell "momma HEP" at the top of your lungs when you need something - even if it's as simple as you spilled a tiny drop of yogurt on your Elmo shirt. I love how you admire and follow your brother. I love that you like to learn and want to do "big kid" things. You even try to "Poppy" on the tree like our big bro does. I love that you say "shoo wee" every time I change your diaper. I love that you are most definitely a daddy's boy and while I'm a smidgen jealous, I'm so thankful you get to have such a great daddy. He loves you very much!!

I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the way you clasp your hands to pray with mommy every night when I lay you down and say your prayers. Special memories. I hope I never ever forget how great it is to be your mommy. I love you so much and pray that you learn to love about Jesus and choose to follow him all the days of your life!

Love always, MOMMY