you're 2 today

yesterday, we took you to "ride big trains!"  ♥

You ordered your father around all day -- "over there," "see that," "go see that."



Your mom and dad still rock you to sleep many nights.  At Grandma's house, you climb on the big bed, and fall asleep while she's reading your story.  We have to trick you in to your room, because you're often telling us "No Nigh-night."  It's how we know when you're tired.

You're a lovey little guy... often giving us hugs, or putting your arm around us.  You like to "hold hands" in the car, or walking... though of course, sometimes you tell me, "Stysto do it."

You refer to yourself as "Stysto."

You're chatty -- and life with you is a constant running commentary... birdie flying... big truck coming... Daddy fix sprinklers... Stysto fall down... Stysto running fast... Mommy get that... baby over there... ride big train...go see it...
You're also very inquisitive.




Actually -- you want to go see everything, and go ride everything. Go ride big tractor, ride four-wheeler (which sounds like fo-feeya).

Whenever you see a ditch or body of water, you say, "Frow rocks in dere" (throw rocks in there).  We throw a lot of rocks on walks.

You contradict yourself often -- saying you want one thing, only to negate it the next second.  This drives your father and I batty, and we have not figured out how to quell this habit -- other than by ignoring you.  You can be rather persistent though.

You love popsicles, jelly beans, and most kinds of sweets... though, you'd probably take a "berber (burger) and fies" over those on most days.  In n' Out are your favorites.

You love trains, cars, tractors, bikes, stickers, books, and are learning puzzles.

You know all your grandparents by name, and talk about them often... and do wonderfully when you're with them.  You've spent the night at your Grandma Shirley's a couple times, and I'm pretty sure you're better for her than for me.  You remember your Aunt Sharon and Uncle T -- even though you only see them a couple times a year.

You get shy initially, but then warm up.  Yesterday, you shook your head "no" whenever the train blew its whistle, because it was "too youd!"



You talk about the baby "growing big and stong" a lot.  Sometimes you pat mommy's tummy, and say "baby in dere." :)

One of your most commonly used words is "heavy."  It is a synonym for anything big, tall, or awkward to maneuver.

You like things to be in order as far as whose item belongs to whom -- you get upset, for example, if Mommy uses Daddy's phone, or Elli (the dog) goes near anything that's yours.  You are also very concerned with who does what.



Steiger, I remember when you were five months old, and taking a bath... I looked at you, while you were grinning and kicking and swinging your arms in your little bath, and told you that I wanted to memorize you.  I still feel like that every day.  Last night, after I told you about your train adventures and adventures with Alexander on the bleachers at the softball game, I rocked you while you tried to fall asleep.  I was remembering two years earlier -- in the hospital.  My happiest memories from the hospital were when I would hold you and you would sleep on me.  I remember I would turn my face so that I didn't steal your air.  Last night, I couldn't help but get drippy eyes as I pictured that tiny little body and face, while you were draped over the chair and my lap last night.  I can't wait for you to meet your little brother or sister (you say sister) -- and share your bright, inquisitive, possessive, tender, gracious, and funny little heart with a new person of our family.  You've already got your daddy and I completely and utterly in love.

Happy Birthday my sweetest boy.  It has been a most wonderful two years so far.