Dear Noah,

Today–yes today Over a week ago you turned 32-months-old.  Let me just say that I had every intention of writing this letter last month and then again last week.  But you will learn something about your mom–I am constantly taking on more than I can do and I have a hard time finding time to fit it all in.  I try but somethings fall by the wayside and I sorry that your newsletter found it’s way there.  I am going to try to do better and that really is al that I can promise. 

You have been part of our family for what seems like forever but in reality is 28 months–which is a very long time.  I never noticed how much you changed and how quickly before I started writing your monthly letters.  While it has only been four months since I started writing to you monthly, I find myself paying much more attention to what you are doing. 

This past month has been a big one for us.  You are now sleeping in your “big boy” bed.  This is the second time we have attempted to transition you.  I did some things better this time around–I disassembled the crib and moved it out of your room and I think that has helped the transition.  You still have not yet made it all night in your room but you are getting better and you don’t cry when we put you in it.  I am certain by the time that I am writing your next letter you will be sleeping all night in your “big boy” bed.

I have tried to start and attempt to potty train you.  You are making progress and hope that by your 3rd birthday I can say that you are potty-trained.  We can hope. 

As you get more and more verbal you amaze me with your words and the things that you say.  You are trying out “Knock Knock” jokes, but don’t quite get the whole concept and it’s pretty funny.  You say the whole “knock knock whose there” and then laugh as though it was the funniest thing ever.  Often you walk up to me and ask me–“feel my muscles.”  You get that from your Grandpa Mike, who you lovingly call “Mike”–your just too busy to add Grandpa to it.  You spend a great deal of time at your Grandpa Mike and Grandma Lori’s house and you love it there–it really is your home away from home and I am happy that you have another place you feel loved and safe. 

You’re Grannie Sue came to visit at Thanksgiving and you had a blast spending a week running her ragged and we went to Champaign and spent some time with your cousins and you had blast having tea parties and playing trains. 

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Your 33rd month was so full of fun and excitement.  We decorated for Christmas and you got to pick out your first Christmas tree.  You talked about Santa for the entire month.  You are changing so fast and it makes me sad to see some of your toddlerhood fall away as you begin to become a full fledged pre-schooler.  I can’t believe that you are growing so fast. 

This month has seen you become fully fascinated with Kung-fu Panda.  You want to play it all the time.  You karate chop with the best of them and it is hilarious to watch.  You are a total crack up.  You are also totally into your trains and ask your dad to play with you at least 20 times a day. 

You have become such an awesome big brother to your little sister.  You play so well with her and you are slightly less annoyed when she plays with your toys and you are starting to help her and attempt to teach her how to “play.”

You continue to bring laughter into my world everyday.  The things you say and the reasoning you use to come to decisions…or the way you cradle your chin with your hand like Rodin’s Thinker and say “maybe, I ….”  It is adorable. 

This past month has been a blur, but this was the first Christmas where you actually gasped that Santa Claus was a person and he brought you gifts. It was awesome.  We have be prepping you for your next birthday which will come too fast for me.  You know you’ll be three.  On New Year’s Eve, I was explaining to you that it was the last day of the year and that the next day would mark the start of a whole new year and you asked “my birthday is next year.”  I said yes and told you that you will have a birthday every year.  Your eyes nearly exploded out of your head and you said “EVERY YEAR?”  as though I had just promised you the world and stars.  Keep being amazed little man–it does only get better. 

Love you lots,

Mommy