Belated Birthday Post

Oops. Miles, forgive your mama. She forgot to write all about your second birthday!

Sweetheart, I can't believe how much you have grown in the past year.  I'm not talking about the way you seemed to grow overnight when your baby brother was born, but I mean how you have grown physically, developmentally, socially.  I'm in awe.

Here are some things you are up to these days:

• Letters.  You, my dear, are all about letters.  You know almost the entire alphabet.  Not the cutesy ABC song, but the actual letters.  You know what they look like and their names.  You even know the sounds for some of them!  Right now, you get hung up on just a few letters, like X.  You always say "K" for X, but that makes sense.  I'm totally impressed with the way you love letters!
• Colors and Numbers!  You also seemed to learn your colors and numbers overnight!  Right now you are able to count to 10 with only a little help!  You like to emphasize the 3!  and the 5! and the 10!  You say it like we're counting up to something, like "1 2 3, GO!"  It's very cute.
• Cars.  We moved you into a toddler bed a few weeks ago, and when we did that, we got you a new bedding set with a car theme.  You were so excited when you saw them.  I also moved your car toys into your room so you can have all your cars in there to play with.  It's funny how you don't play much with the big, chunky cars that are designed for boys your age - you prefer the teeny tiny Matchbox cars for older boys.
• Puzzles.  You have learned how to work a puzzle so well!  You have a drawer full of puzzles that we do at least once every day.
• Jumping!  You love to bounce and jump.  Not just on the floor, but on your bed, the couch, etc.  

I am amazed at the things you pick up from us.  It's true what they say about toddlers being little "sponges."  You copy the things we do and say all the time.  You're not speaking in real sentences just yet, but I stopped counting the words you say at #200.  You've definitely caught up with your speech!

You started wearing an eye patch for your misaligned eye recently and you are doing remarkably well with it.  Sometimes I have to chase you to put it on, but you will happily play and watch "Super Why!" while it's on without protesting.  I think it is already helping your eye!

You are so sweet with your little brother.  Sometimes I can see a little flicker of jealousy in your eyes, but mostly any time you take a toy from him I believe you're just doing it to see what will happen.  You give him such sweet hugs and kisses and seem to be genuinely concerned about him if he cries.  You have given him a few bumps and bruises already, but he'll be giving it back before long!  I can't wait to see you two chase one another.

You are a miracle, bursting with life and love.  You love pictures of the "shunshine" and I believe that is fitting, as you are so bright and warm.

I love you, little lovebug.