Drew at 2

Drew had an amazing second birthday: balloons, a Mater/Lightning McQueen cake, siblings to help blow out the cake and Grandma/Grandpa and Auntie Amy to help celebrate.  His favorite present was probably the lawn mower bubble maker that Auntie got him.  She got Ethan a similar one at age 2 and it was a huge hit.

Some of his new tricks are:
- Crazy verbal progress.  Saying full sentences.  3 word sentences started around 20 months, but since then he ask for most everything and even tell me that some boys were being naughty at the gym daycare. 
- Getting interested in his new balance bike.  He can do a couple pushes and cruise now.
- Hitting everyone with toys, bats, balls, etc.  We've had to do some talking about how hands are not for hitting.  There's a pile of toys that have been taken away from him and placed above the cabinets.
- Reading to himself.  Memorizing books like Starry Safari.  One of his favorite phases is "Yikes, a wily crocodile."  It's so fun to hear him say these things.  It reminds me exactly of how Eliana was at age 2. 
- Skiing.  He goes with me and we had a scary run-away toddler on skis moment the other day at Alpental, but he's so excited to do it.  He yells, "weeeee" as we coast down the hill trying to make turns and pushing our skis together like a slice of pizza.
- Climbing in and out of his bed.  He's been doing this since about 20 months, but getting him to nap and to sleep are a bit trickier.  He still sleeps in his crib at night, but his mattress is all the way on the floor.  It's amazing how he can get his sleep sack off by undoing the zipper and gracefully climb out of the crib.  He then turns on the lights in his room and opens the door.  Like a little ninja!
- TANTRUMS! Yesterday we were taking Ethan to lacrosse practice and we passed by the playground.  Of course he wanted to play, but I told him we had to drop Ethan off first.  So he hucked himself on the turf soccer field and screamed the whole way to the field.  ahhh, 2!
- Swimming.  He started with Miss Kathy at KTAP and actually did his own class today for the first time.  He cried the whole time but he's able to kick his legs now and hold on to the wall.  So fun to watch him progress.
- Loves Cars by Disney and is obsessed with Lightning McQueen and Mater.  He's fully transitioned from Moana (around 3 months ago) and is fully onboard with the Cars theme now.

He continues to love to read and snuggle. I love that he'll come up to me and put his head on my lap.  My mom said something interesting after his birthday the other day.  She said, "Watching him with his toys, he's only a 2-year old."  We're so used to him playing at Eliana and Ethan's level, that we sometimes forget how old he really is. 

He's started to show interest in potty training and tells us when he's going.  He loves to hide behind the couch and say, "I'm pooping.  Need privacy." 

He continues to have scrapes and bruises on his head at all times.  His most recent one was when he fell on the edge of the metal stairs at the park. I'm still putting Vitamin E on that cut in hopes there's no scar.  He still is full of joy and love at every turn.  He has an open mouth smile most times of the day and still pounds his milk at every meal.  Some of his favorite foods continue to be avocado, banana, butternut squash, eggs and mac n cheese.

He completes our family and is so wonderful.  Happy 2nd birthday, Ju Ju Bee.  We love you so!