Dear Noah,

I cannot believe that you are almost 2 and a half.  Where has the time gone.  You are growing and changing so fast.  You started “school.”  You carry your own lunch box on the walk from home to school.  It is so cute.  You tell me that it’s time for me to go home and you play and follow directions and are learning things. 

As each day passes your are becoming a little bit more of a boy. You love wrestling and you think it is some that your little sister should also like.  She doesn’t.  Part of it is because she can’t push back.  Soon enough she will.  You have grown more and more opinionated and verbal.  I am amazed almost everyday of the words that come out of your mouth.  Pretty soon you’ll be able to say your name and I will cry on that day.  I love how you say “Woah.”  It melts my little heart. 

This past month was full of change–your little sister started crawling and cruising.  The unadulterated love that you felt for her has become muddled by the fact that she now touches you and wants to play with whatever you are playing with.  My days are now filled with a symphony of “MOM, MOVE Zoë PLEASE!”  It’s cute and sometime I do move her, but most of the time I make you deal with it.  I know that this isn’t the wisest course of action.  I know you will start hitting her and pushing her, but for now little man.  You have to deal with it. 

I worry about your eating habits, but what mother doesn’t.  Some days all you want is cheese and strawberries.  Other days it’s hot dogs and avocado.  Other days, I swear all you eat is fig newtons and cheetos.  You are growing and I try not to worry too much, but I hope I am being a good mom and that you don’t some day wonder “What the hell was she thinking?”  Okay, that’s a pipe dream because you are going to be a teen-aged boy one day and I think you just might have that thought more than once a day. 

Your ability to be social and adapt to changes is refreshing and makes me so very happy.  I know this personality trait will serve you well in life.  You have become more and more interested in blocks and actually building with them instead of taking them out of the box and putting them back.  It’s awesome so see you change and advance.  You know so much and I have to give some credit to educational TV–Mickey Mouse/SpongeBob, etc.  I think it has taught you more than it has hindered you.  I don’t care what the research says. 

I do want to apologize now, before I forget for enabling you to be as loud as you are.  You have always been a loud child and that is too be expected because both your father and I are loud.  Your father will blame this on me, but I will tell you the truth now–your father is the loud one.  His normal register is loud.  I have to tell him a lot to talk quieter.  Again he will blame this on me.  But it isn’t my fault.  I know you will side with your father.  I have already been given peeks at this secret male alliance you two share.  You often tell me “Momma, no yell at Daddy.”  What the hell is that all about?  Really, don’t yell at your dad?  He’s a man and often deserves a little bit of yelling.  UGH!  Where did I go wrong?

I can see the “Why” phase coming as we have been in the “What this is?” Phase for a long time.  You are so very inquisitive and I love it.  Keep it up Noah.  Keep laughing and keep smiling.  You are a shining star and you light up my world. 

Love you,

Mommy