Two *and a half* Years Old

Oh, Jakzen.  Your mommy is tired.  It was a lonnnngggg day today — packing up, driving back to Calgary, and unpacking and laundry and more unpacking, and settling back into our normal around here.  But I couldn’t let the day end without mentioning this milestone of yours.  Two and a half years old!  Still growing and changing and becoming more awesome…and more challenging…every single day.

• I love how when you say your name — “Jah-shan” — it kinda sounds like a cross between Jakzen and Jazz Hands.  Totally fitting, little dude.
• To date, you have never been shy a day in your life.  Stay that way, okay??
• Although bedtimes are difficult these days, you have definitely proven you are skilled at the art of negotiation, are far too clever, and boy, oh boy, you know how to make yourself heard.
• Although you know your ABC’s and are a good counter, when left to count by yourself, you prefer “Jak Math” which often goes “1, 2, 3, 4, eighteen, fourteen, eighteen”, followed by clapping and cheering.  (PS – your math is way more fun.)
• You have impeccable manners, but again seem to prefer your own methodology.  In lieu of “No, thank you”, you continue to say “No, Uncle Juan” (which apparently are very similar phrases in your world).  And when “Thank you, mommy” is appropriate, you prefer to skip right to “Welcome, mommy”.  I figure as long as you’re saying something in the ballpark, it’s all good.
• Potty training is going, well, slowly.  But with each of those  itty bitty accomplishments you make, we both feel like we’ve won the lottery every single time…especially when they are followed by the Happy Potty dance!  So even when you pee in my make-up bag, it’s not in a diaper, and that’s a step in the right direction….(I hope).
• And kiddo, when you say “I love you more” and give me a “lip kiss” (and don’t wipe it off!), I’m putty in your hands…

Because of you, little man, my every day includes laughing out loud, biting my tongue, smiling proudly, and gritting my teeth.  The good stuff totally outweighs, outnumbers, outlasts the bad, and you keep me on my toes, just waiting to see what you’ll do next.  Your mommy (and daddy and “bro”) love you!