Dear Will,

You are two today! We've kept you alive for two whole years! There were a few bumps and bruises, scrapes and bloody lips along the way. Even today, you were running down the sidewalk in your shorts and sandals (because it is beautiful out!) and you fell and got a bloody lip. On your birthday of all days! But you won't be stopped. You are active! You jumped three times yesterday! Both feet off the ground!

You love your brother. You want to do everything he does. You are the cutest little mimic. You also love t.v. (beebee), cookies (woggies), penguins (waddlewaddle), fish (wish), Avi (our neighbor), trains (gagachoochoo), and reading books.

You need a whole paragraph for your facial expressions. I think this may be my favorite thing about you. Knowing you so well, I feel dashed if other people in your presence don't take note of your facial expressions. When we yell at you for bad behavior, you tuck your chin and look at the ground. When you're surprised your mouth is oval and your eyes wide, framed by long black lashes. When you shouldn't do something but do it anyway, you turn your head to the side and look at us slyly - the side eye. This is my most favorite one!

Your are funny and fun! You laugh a lot. You act silly. You do big kid things like ride a scooter or build with Legos. You're learning what limits are and how far to push them.

You give really great hugs! You've learned to hug tight and give an extra squeeze and a grunt for emphasis. I love snuggling with you and pretending to be asleep with you.

I can still remember what life was like without you, when we were just three. But I couldn't imagine wanting to go back to that life now that you've made us four. I love you little man.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mama

.