He's 2

 My Sweet Cutie E turned 2!

This is where the fun begins as he discovers our amazing world and I get to be there for it.

Language. Cutie E is picking up new words everyday.  I need to write them down. Sometimes he takes me by surprise with a new word or when he finally said my name, "Gammy".  Now he just has fun repeating it 3 times in a row.  I love when he calls for Gammy every time.

Observant.  This little dude really is watching what we are doing, our reactions to situations, the words we use and then he catalogs them away.  I was shocked when he announced "Daddy is home" as he saw him turn the corner onto our street from the window.  I had no idea he knew which car his dad drove.  

Sometimes he just knows what to do, like blowing out his birthday candles.  

Independence.  Holly use to tell us, "I do it!" Emerson just makes a fist and says "beep, beep" while pushing you away so  he can get us to back away.  He has something he wants to do on his own or wants someone else to help him. For the record I never say 'beep, beep"🤣

Helper.  Ask him to do you a favor and he will jump to it.  He loves to get diapers, wipes, feed the doggies, carry stuff for you, get his plate and cup and put clothes in the washer and dryer.  But his favorite is to vacuum with the corn popper or Swiffer after I've cleaned the floors.

Lately he is all about carrying things like a gallon of milk or laundry detergent.  Yesterday he unloaded a box from Amazon.  It was a rather large box but he figured out how to get the smaller box out of the larger one and take it up the stairs.

Interactive Play.  Just the other day he mimicked a game they were playing on "Bluey", with the sound of a horse and everything.  The horsey sound is his favorite. He loves playing with his cars, especially on his new city and road carpet.  His car sounds are getting pretty good.

Mimicking.  While this wasn't my favorite stage when my kids were growing up, I do find it hilarious now.  I love that he finds it funny to give me a zerbert after I've given him one.  Or his new game of saying "no, no" and I say "yes, yes". 

Humorous.  This kiddo is so funny and he knows it.  He loves to tease, jump on you and get you to laugh.

Facial Expressions.  As if I didn't know how ridiculous I was, his little face will tell me.  Its so hard to keep a straight face when he makes silly faces, mimics your expression or has a new one to share.

Jesus.  He is so sweet and innocent.  He knows who Jesus is and will call him by name when he looks at a picture, statue or see's him in a book.  Lately he has been asking for certain primary songs or church video's again.  That means he wants to listen or watch again.

Determined.  The determination of a 2 year old to get their way is power and strength at its best.  Good thing we are a bit stronger and more determined.

Kisses.  If Sean and I leave we can't head for the door without good bye kisses.  He makes the sound of a kiss to let you know he wants a kiss or to give you one.  Its so cute.

Big Brother.  He is coming into his own as the BIG Brother.  Just the other day I told Cutie O no, no.  That was followed by Cutie E telling him no as well.  Older Brother knows best.

He does love to give Cutie O hugs and kisses.  They might look more like the WWE when shared and O might not always appreciate them, but they are shared in love.

Favorites Emerge.  Opening Cutie O's door once he is awake and climbing into the crib, "CARS" movie, school busses, veggies, book-books-books, 'Bluey", sidewalk chalk, digging, sticks, bath time, play dough, cooking, socks, long sleeves, music, singing, his quilt, his zebra and tiger stuffies, slides and the park.

This little 2 year old is such a love.  I am so blessed to be with him every day and watch him discover our amazing world.

Love you Cutie E.

Some of these items contain affiliate links.  Meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  I share these with you because I genuinely enjoy these items and hope you will as well.

  

Breaking Up the Winter Blues

 My Cutie Boys, this has been a tough winter.  Bitter cold temperatures have kept us inside and you have missed playing outside and being with other kids.

Just a few weeks ago you were standing at the sliding glass door asking to go outside.

Mommy and I have had to get creative to keep you two busy during this very cold, long winter.

I started by planning weekly activities for you.  Each week I selected a theme for the month, skills to work on, and then I planned activities, art projects and stories to read that related to the theme.  I included outings if it was warm enough and even some gospel centered videos or coloring pages.  Having something new to do each day was very helpful.

Both of you love to paint and Cutie E discovered that glue sticks are sticky fun.

Luckily the basement has a couple of long hallways.  This allows us to roll, pick up, kick or chase a ball. Both of you are getting so good at ball skills, but you like playing chase best. 

Cutie O got a Water Table for his birthday.  We did not wait till summer to put this together.  Currently it is set up in the living room.  NO WATER!  Just fun toys to play with in a different part of the house, breaking up the boredom of playing in one room with the same toys has helped a lot.

Helping mom put the water table together

For the last couple of weeks both of you have darted to the living room window to watch the kids wait for the school bus and board once it arrives.  Cutie E loves school busses.  To him every big vehicle that passes the house that is yellow is a school bus.  It is adorable to watch you knock on the window and wave to the kids.  Both of you love when they wave back.  

Currently you both love animals and making different animal sounds.  For Christmas you got the Fisher Price Little People Safari Playset.  This has been a lot of fun to play with.  It is very interactive with lights, fun songs, animals, and you can even match the animal to its habitat.  I love that it is tall so that both of you can stand and play together.

As you get older I need to remember to take you to an indoor climbing gym.  Both of you climb on chairs, up the outside of the stairs, onto the couches, up the ottoman, and anything else stationary.  Cutie O isn't as steady and makes me a little nervous.

Your Mommy looked into an indoor climbing set to help keep you two busy and active while stuck inside.  She found one, an Indoor Play Gym.

This was supposed to be for Cutie E's birthday, but you two needed something other than the kitchen table chair.  Mommy broke it out a little  early, but both you you have LOVED it.  Over the last few weeks this has been a life saver.  The two of you have been climbing up, over and under, plus sliding, rocking and building your way through the day.  You have figured out how to drive your cars up the slide and zoom back down.  Your stuffies enjoy sliding as well.  

There are many different configurations to these 3 pieces, making it  different each time you play.  You two are also finding new ways to play with your toys using the slide and arch.  The four adults in your lives have loved that you are able to use some of your energy  inside the family room while it is too cold to play outside.  

A few rounds of chase, sliding down the stairs, throwing a ball down the hall, tossing stuffies over the railings, baking and a few cozy movie days have also made this cold, snowy winter much more fun.  

Spring is hinting at its arrival allowing us to get outside a bit more.  We can't wait for those warmer spring days filled with sidewalk chalk, trikes, balls, walks and stroller rides, but until then we will continue to enjoy these new indoor adventures. 

Some of these items contain affiliate links.  Meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  I share these with you because I genuinely enjoy these items and hope you will as well.

Cutie O

 Today I was reviewing my posts and found this gem all ready to go, but not posted.  I can't believe it got lost in other posts.  This is a morning I don't want to forget, so I'm going to share even though we are heading into spring and Cutie O is walking.

Its not very often that I get one on one time with Cutie O.  This morning Cutie E had a doctors appointment, which left Cutie O and I some quality one on one time.

Our little "O" is adorable.  He has a smile that lights up his entire face.  I love how he giggles at silly sounds, funny faces or peek-a-boo. 

Last week at the park he was flying low in a baby swing.  He got so excited as he zoomed toward me that his little fists would shake, he was smiling and  giggling all at the same time.  I couldn't help but giggle with him.  

Lately he has been trying to keep up with his brother.  He is creeping everywhere, learned how to get up the step between the family room and kitchen, he balances his hand on anything that allows his feet to be planted on the floor.  He has a good looking "downward facing dog", but his planks put all of us to shame.

So, today was a wonderful treat.   We enjoyed a long walk to the post office.

The leaves are beginning to change, some are even falling.  Hearing the crunch of leaves as I step is a joyful sound.  Cutie O was graced by a brown leaf falling right onto his lap.  Once he noticed it, he grabbed it and held on tight.  He tried eating it, but the stem poked his cheek and Grammy pushed it away.

He kept twisting his wrist and hand to get a good look at the leaf.  As we were heading home from our walk he fell asleep gripping that same leaf.

Our morning together ended with some play time, lunch and his first taste of Cheerios.  I think I need more one on one time with each of the boys.