2 years 7 months

Dear Miller,
We breezed right by the 2 1/2 year mark without a post to celebrate such a milestone age. All I have to say is that we started off the 2's with a bang, tackling sharing issues, and full out tantrums. Reading our manners book each night about "Me first Megan", "Look at me Leo", and "That's mine, Mark" really helped you learn how to be more polite. Within no time, you were asking for things with a please. It's amazing what mommy turned Super Nanny did for you. If only mommy could stop you from laughing when you burp, we'd have it made!

You quickly changed our attitude about this wonderful stage of development. You came full circle this summer into the mid two's and you are such a pleasure & joy. Once you started speaking in longer phrases and now sentences, the frustration over how to communicate your needs ended.

You notice all the little details in the world around you. From the tiniest bug on the ground with a "fuzzy back" to the wind blowing in the trees. Mommy loves it when you notice the colorful buttons on her shirt or comment on my earrings or jewelry. As Miss Karen says, "Nothing gets by Miller". You appreciate God's creation around you and take time to notice the little things. Mommy loves looking at life through the wonder and expression in your eyes.

You're our little social bug. Your whole face lights up when you see old friends and meet new friends. You have a special way of greeting your friends with, "What are you doing?" Instead of, "How are you doing?" When older boys on our street are playing, you run to play with them thinking you can keep up with their mature play. You love all the action on our block. We never cease to smile and are entertained daily by just what you pick up and say. What a happy countenance you have! This stage ranks right up there with six months as one of my all time faves with you, little boy.

Speaking of favorites...Some of your faves include: Curious George, flipping through toy magazines and making special requests, cars and trucks, eating out at restaurants, reading, and singing. Music is in your genes little man. You love it when daddy sings "Into my Heart" every night at bedtime. Your new favorite request is the Uga Chakka "I Can't Stop This Feeling" song. Mommy and daddy sing it in rounds for you. One day, very soon I'm sure, you'll be embarrassed by all of our antics.

You are learning so much! Grandmama gave you a lower case alphabet puzzle for Halloween and you've mastered choosing and naming every "little letter" as you call them. The lowercase, p,q,d,b, still give you trouble. We'll learn how to position them just right with time. You love to recite passages from your favorite books back and forth with daddy over dinner. We love to hear how you model daddy's expression in his voice.

Waiting by the door each afternoon for daddy is so much fun for me to sit back and watch. You're so patient! "Listen for the garage, momma!" "Daddy's home, momma!" When you stand with your nose pressed to the door, you say, "Back up, daddy's gonna hit you" (with the door)

I can't believe a whopping 2 years and 7 months have passed since daddy placed you in my arms. You were such a beautiful, screaming burrito all swaddled in the pink and blue hospital blanket. My how you changed our lives for the better. You taught us so many things about being a mommy and a daddy. You are our independent first born, and you have been the son to introduce us to parenthood.

Big changes will be happening in our family soon. Daddy and I feel so blessed that we'll have invested a whole 3 years with just you, Miller. We can't wait to watch you become a big brother.

Love you to the moon and back (just like Nutbrown Hare),
Mommy