Two Years

Two years. Two years since we became parents to a six pound little man, who was very distressed about how cold it had suddenly become. Two years since we started to get to know this new little person. Two years since our lives changed.

The first photo we ever took of Elliott...before he even had his name!

I think about all the monumental changes that occurred in Elliott’s first year and honestly never thought his second year could ever hold a candle to it. But then I sit here on his second birthday and I am in awe of all of the changes in the last 12 months. He started his second year cruising around and just starting to make his first independent steps. He didn’t talk (not that he was quiet by any means). And I’m pretty sure his favorite past time was pulling all the CDs out of the cabinet (something he wasn’t allowed to do, but did anyway). He needed help to do almost everything.

At his 1st birthday party

Now I see a little boy who loves to run and play and climb. He can tell us what he is seeing (‘water in there’), his wants (‘more bananas’), and his plans (‘go play legos?’). (Heck, the fact that he makes plans!) He knows acceptable behavior in our home (even if there’s a little slip now and then – our bags are just so tempting!) and follows it! He is even starting to make friends (although opportunities to foster any real friendships have been few and far between). He is always exploring and observing the world around him, something that has helped mom and dad reconnect to some of the simple beauty in our world (when was the last time you stopped to notice the truly magnificent sight of cars and trucks streaming over a tall freeway interchange at sundown?).

Walking: when it started to become second nature

We are also discovering who this little man of ours is. He is bright, curious, and ever fascinated by how things work. He is also kind and giving (one of the best sharers I’ve seen!) and sensitive to others and what they are going through (he cried when Remi was separated from his family at the beginning of Ratatouille – note to self: we really need to get some truly rated G animated movies in our home. How are guns and knives rated G?).

Our little sharer

He is funny and likes to make us laugh. And the helping! My gosh he's a great helper! He does the laundry, makes soup, sweeps the patio and even vacuums! The look of pride and sense of accomplishment on his face more than makes up for the extra 'time' it takes when he is helping you with any of these things. He loves to be apart of things and sees everything. Everything. We catch Elliott spontaneously mimicking us sometimes, which reminds us we need to be careful about everything we say and do around him now.

Being silly and cute

Some of his favorite things to play with include his matchbox cars, his train, his Legos, his toy pots and pans (he made a wicked veggie stew last night and even served up some for mommy and daddy :), and his tool box. He likes to draw and he is finally starting to enjoy books again (he has always liked to flip through them, but for a while there, he had no interest in sitting still long enough for us to read one to him). And food? Freeze dried bananas and mango continue to be a favorite along with apple sauce, carrots, yogurt, pasta, noodles and the occational french fries. He's still not much of a meat eater (unless its in ball form *eyeroll*) and you can just keep your cheese, bread, and rice (unless you can make him Ethiopian or Somalian rice...then he CHOWS down. Thank you, ladies from the farmer's market!).

Elliott's 2nd birthday party at the Birch Aquarium

All in all, Elliott's 2nd year has been a pretty amazing one. He continues to be a healthy, happy kid and I think he just might be my favorite person :D

Elliott, we love you beyond anything we could have ever imagined. We are so proud of you and who you are. Happy 2nd Birthday, big boy!