The Smith Files: Terrific Two!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Terrific Two!

To my dearest little Callan on your 2nd birthday:

Time just flies when you are having fun! I can't believe you are growing up so fast. When I look at the pictures of you last year on your first birthday compared to pictures of you today, it's like you're not even the same person! So much change in such a short time, but there is no doubt that you are still our sweet little baby boy, and we are so excited to wish you a Happy 2nd Birthday!

This past year we have watched you grow into a busy, busy little guy. From the day you learned to walk, you pretty much ran, and you haven't stopped since. Being the third child, you spend quite a bit of time in the stroller, and you are generally pretty patient and easygoing about it. BUT, the second we let you out, you are gone! I get my workouts just from keeping up with you!

One of your favorite activities these days is to line up all your cars in a big "parking lot," which we might have thought a little weird if that hadn't been one of Brody's favorite activities when he was your age. You love to build towers with blocks, and you come running to find me to show off your creations, yelling, "Mama yook!" You adore being outside, whether it's in our backyard or at the park. Climbing, sliding, swimming, and pushing your dump truck to the park and back give you endless enjoyment. You are on the move constantly, and you are such a happy little man!

At your two-year doctor's appointment, we made the rediscovery that you are a tall, skinny little dude. Funny how you came out the biggest but quickly became the leanest. No surprise, though, since you aren't the biggest eater on the block. You still love meat--turkey, sausage, hot dogs, and chicken are your favorites. When you see or hear the word "pizza" you start repeating it over and over, or saying "Ah pizza," which means "I want pizza." Some days you like fruit and some days you don't, but when you do, oranges and watermelon are your favorites. And you looove broccoli. In the morning, you always ask for "goose water," which means juice and water mixed together. So cute!

You are talking up a storm and learning new words everyday. One of the cutest things you do is to add an "ee" sound to many words. This makes sense when you think about how many words we use with kids that end in "ee." Doggy, froggy, kitty, etc. You've come up with your own, though, and some of your favorites are milky, buggy, and booky. You talk about your brothers all the time, and you always want to know where Brody is. For a long time, you couldn't say Leyton, so you called him Baby. Now you call him "Yetton." I love it! You like to practice your complete sentences, and we hear the most random things come our of your mouth during mealtimes, etc. when you decide to practice. A couple recent examples, in the cutest little toddler voice ever, are "Goldfish swim in water" and "Dinosaurs are scary." :) You absolutely love books and request your bookies every night. You can point to all the words in your word book and recite them, but sometimes you change it up a bit and ask, "Mama, what's this?" as you point to every picture. You also love to read Moo Baa LaLaLa and can fill in the blanks as we read it together. This game never grows old for either one of us!

You love Elijah, our big furry dog, and he's great with you, whether you're petting him, sitting on him, or bopping him over the head with a toy. You also love Bishop, Grandma and Grandpa's dog, and everytime we talk about Grandma and Grandpa or see them, you ask, "Where's Bushop?" You also love your paci! A few times I thought we might have weaned you from this lovey, as you would lose all of them and I would just decide not to buy anymore. However, you always end up finding one somewhere somehow and fall in love all over again. :)

Last month, you climbed out of your crib for the first time. I was not ready for this new trick, but thankfully, I just started putting you back in your sleep sacks at naptime and bedtime, and they have kept you put. Another recent development was the day you gave yourself a time-out, putting yourself on the steps and then sitting there with the saddest little pout on your face. We haven't used time-out much with you yet, but as usual, you learn everything from your brothers! Most days, when you do something wrong, all I have to do is make a pout pout face, and you will immediately break into a big smile and give me a hug and a kiss, usually with a big "Sorry!" You really give the BEST hugs, with your arms wrapped tightly around my neck. I just can't get enough!

I am so thankful to have my little C, and each and every day is a gift! We all love you so much and couldn't ask for a better littlest brother in our family. Cheers to you, Cal, and much love from your Mommy, Daddy, and big brothers!