His Second Loop Around The Sun!

Our littlest one is TWO...

And it is bittersweet. So sweet because he is an adorable toddler, playful and just amazing to watch grow up with his two older siblings. He brings to our big kid family the tender/rough touch of toddlerhood and it is so much fun to watch L and M play all the baby games- blocks, trains, balls- with him that would otherwise be a long gone memory in this house if it weren't for little R (though the kids really do still enjoy playing these things, but would be inhibited to if it weren't for the excuse that they are "taking care" of R) .

Back when we were agonizing over whether a third child was a wise decision for our family we thoroughly, for 2 years, weighed in what we thought were all the big considerations including but not limited to: parental stamina, resources, overpopulation, personal life goals and things we wanted to do in our grown-up (but not too grown-up) life time, and we really came up a wash. That nagging feeling that we were just not done pervaded and, obviously, we went for #3 as an unlikely one shot attempt the night before Rob left for a trip to India leaving it up to the higher power to make the final decision for us. And voila, upon Rob's return I had added a new row of empty picture frames under the rows already on the wall of Baby #1 and #2 to let him know what to expect in 8 months. What I didn't expect, or factor into my micro-analyzing during the deep consideration of #3, was what a wonderful experience having a baby in the home is for the older sibs. It so brings them to a kinder, gentler, nurturing level. They too take pride in the little achievements of R, just like his mom and dad do. It is endearing to watch their faces light up when he says a new word or hits a ball of the T.

A tiny bit bitter, because he is the last of our little ones and I just don't like endings of happy times. He marks the end of the child-bearing stage over here and after 2 years of letting that sink in I am seeing that we are almost at the end of the early childhood-rearing years too. Close to done, but certainly as not done done as I recently have been feeling. I need to slow myself down with how I sometimes perceive his age, which is older than he truly is. It really hit me on his birthday that he has only been on this earth for two years . When I think of it as nights of poor sleep, it seems like a long time, but when I think of it in the big picture of how much more life is ahead of him, how many more baby milestones have yet to be passed, two years is a minuscule fraction.

So more about the birthday boy...

Had I written this on his actual Bday I would have proven to be prompt, which I am not, but I would not have been able to tell you the leaps and bounds he has made since the the day after his birthday. Really, isn't it just amazing how they make huge developmental strides so suddenly sometimes? One day you're worrying that they are behind on something, then the next day they are doing just that thing. He went from sounds that had meaning only to us, to saying "I wan muk" ("I want milk" for those who are a few years out of deciphering toddler talk) in one day. Two had a wonderful start!

Good thing I chickened out, I mean postponed his 24 mos. check up until next week, so now I can report his progress with speech to the MD. This may offset the fact that per my calculations his weight is still at the 5% mark. Maybe next week he'll make leaps and bounds with eating.

Here's a little stroll down Memory Lane de Ryan:

First words: Ma, Da, oh no (said fast), Wii, Dunda aaaaa aaa (that would be to the tune of ACDC Thunderstruck, not because of our hard core love for rock, but because M's soccer team was named Thunder and that chorus was their practice theme song)

Favorite Things: anything that flies, trains, cars, blocks, sand, water, balls, paci, reading find-it books, sports (I should upload the video of him playing soccer at 12 mos when he could only crawl between the goals, too cute!)


Favorite Food: Ice cream, and ...