Birthday Boy

While I have to say that I do believe I have enjoyed my fill of the “baby years”, I have not felt much regret that they are gone until this very moment.  Today my baby has become a two year old.  Long gone are the middle of the night feedings, the rocking to sleep, and the spoons full of mush.  Yes, gone are the days of cleaning spit up, watching him stare in wonder under the  play gym at the butterfly dangling above, and cheering over simple feats, such as seeing him lift his head unsupported.  We are passed the excitement of first smiles and giggles, learning to roll over, crawling, and pulling to a stand. 

Today, we still have the smiles and giggles, but they are accompanied with songs and gabbing.  Every day he is learning more and more words, and even with a conversation dominating older sister, he still manages to get his point across. 

Even as an infant he was never really small.  With a birth weight of 9 pounds and 14 ounces, he came out linebacker-ready.  Today he is still sporting his solid build; fragile is not in his repertoire.  He barrels through his world upright and strong.  He runs about from toy to toy, pausing only to body slam his sister to the ground in exuberant triumph.  Payback for months upon months of toy stealing is in full force.  Big Sister is learning fast that Little Brother is not to be trifled with, else suffer the consequences. 

So you see, the here and now is something special unto itself.  I may not get to rock my baby to sleep anymore (can I get a big YAY for his willingness to fall asleep in his crib on his own?), but he is still my little snuggle monkey.  Every night as we wind down from the craziness of the day he sits with me, curled under my arm with his head against my chest.   He will look up at me and touch his little hand to my face as he leans in for a smooch.  The warmness and the sweetness of the moment begin to melt my heart until he belts out a loud “MMMMWAAAHHH” as he doles out the kiss, and we both fall into a fit of laughter. 

While I have been feeling the emergence of the terrible twos heading our way, he really has not been difficult thus far.  With the exception of tossing his food from his high chair clear across the room as opposed to a more civilized announcement that he is all done, he is very easy going.  Sure, we get the occasional “no”, and he is none too thrilled about his diaper changes, but in general he’s just a happy, even tempered little dude.  His personality shines through more and more every day.  He’s funny, smart, and in general just a wonderful person to be around.  I suppose this is the case for every parent, but I just love that my son is one of my favorite people.

I am sad that my baby isn’t a baby anymore, but wow, what an amazing little person he’s becoming.  I cannot wait to see what changes the next year will bring (three words: potty training fun), how he will develop, and what new things he will be doing that I can write about this time next year.  Happy 2^nd Birthday to my Dominic!  I am so blessed that he is a part of my world.