Terrible Twos, #2s, toos.

Sure, two-year-olds have tantrums. They have PERSONALITY. They have ups and downs. But two is such a GREAT year! I may be a bit narcissistic, but I LOVE the two, #2, toos!

Reece turned TWO in July, but his year of too, two, #2s began long before that. It began with the "me TOOs" as he quickly became aware that his brother was a big boy and he was going to be too. Farewell sippy cups. Hasta lavista booster seat. Arrivederci crib.

Then came the #2s, which I suppose is also a "too", as he became fully aware and ready to begin putting #2 in the potty. So we have been giving that a shot. He is pretty good at it...I am thinking any day now the deal is done.

He went thru a period for a few months where he made me sing "you are my sunshine" to him every night before bed...with my cheek pressed to his, or he would squeeze me over to him. Every night, he would pull me in with one hand on each of my cheeks and say, in the sweetest little voice, "shunshine?" I was terribly sad to see that phase pass, though he still requests it occasionally. It is usually a ploy to stay up later, but with a squeeze and a "please"...how can I refuse??

He is discovering the world and it is SO fun to see his delight with everything around.

I can't remember what Z did for sure at this age, or even remember for sure what he SHOULD be able to do at this age, but here is the unadulterated bragging:

He knows all the letters of the alphabet and the sound of each. He counts with me to 5 and gets a few of the others on the way to 10. He thinks everything is green...sometimes yellow. He sings the first few words of tons of songs. He loves showing off his animal sounds and demonstrates the expressions for each emotion. He is fascinated by just about everything...particularly if Zach is, but the moon is his most favorite sight. He hums the Indiana Jones tune. He WORSHIPS Buzz Lightyear. He LOVES to have stories read to him. Current favorites: Eric Carle-From Head to Toe, Dr. Seuss-Hand Hand Fingers Thumb and an ABC book full of simple words. He is beginning to make complex sentences and how cute is THIS?...the housekeepers are teaching him some basic Spanish too.

Sure, he has his share of tantrums, outright opinions and blatant defiance. The word "NO" is unfortunately common and he will repeat anything Zach tells him to say...."shut up"? Nice. "no fair". Great.

And they fight. A. L. O. T. They tease each other constantly. They wrestle and chase. They both do time out. Pure chaos.

He is kind and gentle and so so happy. And once in a while he is downright rotten. But honestly? how are all these two too #2s so "terrible"? what would life be without all that chaos? I wish i could bottle his little moment all up and save it for a rainy day.