Where has the time gone? Dad and I cannot even believe we celebrated your second birthday just last week. It's amazing to me how much you've grown these last two years and even in the last few months! Here is a run down of all things Oliver...
1. Your stats - you are 32 inches tall and weigh 26 lbs 4 ounces. At your 2 year old check up, Dr. Rehder said you're perfect. How can I disagree with that?! You are my perfect little boy that makes me smile every day.
2. Favorite color - yellow. Whenever we ask you what color something is...it's yellow. Just remember, you can never go wrong when you pick mom's favorite (I love yellow too!).
3. Favorite food - cookies. You ask Grandma Jean for them every time she asks you what you'd like for a holiday or birthday. In the last three months, you've managed to get Christmas cookies, Valentine's cookies (twice), and Birthday cookies from Grandma. You are one spoiled little boy.
4. Favorite word - Daddy. It's the first word that you utter each morning when I walk into your room and normally who you are looking for throughout the day. Of course I've heard that when I am away, your favorite word is Momma.
5. Favorite phrase - sit down (insert name here). You specifically like to tell Momma, Daddy, Grandma, and Boppa to sit down on our way to the hockey games. It's probably because we always ask you if you're going to sit in the seats to watch the game or if someone is going to chase after you in the concourse.
6. Favorite activity - watching videos. Every night before bed, you ask to watch the farm video. It's the Baby Einstein video and you are glued to the TV. Repeating the words, telling us what is going on, it never ends...
7. If you haven't figured it out already, you talk nonstop. Singular words, phrases, full sentences...while anything coming out of your mouth shouldn't surprise me with how versatile you are...it still does, every darn day.
8. You're a sponge for knowledge. I know this is probably a normal kid trait, but it always amazes me how much you remember after Daddy or I only say it once.
9. You still love to dance. Normally we have music on when you're playing around the house and you enjoy busting out your sweet moves.
10. Another movement you love to do is fast feet. You move around the house yelling fast feet, fast feet, and laughing.
11. You started Tumblin' Tigers at daycare last fall (an hour each week of gymnastic type activities). Since then we've noticed your improved balance and your love for somersaults. It's funny to watch you play and then bust out with one in the middle of the floor. You always stand afterwards with a big proud smile.
12. You are polite - without prompting you normally say, please and thank you. As your Mom, this makes me so proud.
13. You love your toddler bed. Grandma Jean keeps making you more little boy sheets for it and the baby ones you once used to pick seem to get past over for cars, choo choos, and farm animals.
14. You speak of both sets of Grandparents regularly. You remember that Grandpa Nick and Grandma Patty live on the farm, have cows, chickens, dogs, and cats. You also get to ride the tractor there. You also know that we go to hockey games with Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Jean, plus they play golf and Grandpa always takes you outside to play, even if it's cold (and as mentioned with your favorite food, Grandma Jean makes cookies).
15. If we ever wonder who you are talking about, there are plenty of pictures in the entry way and on the fridge. You will walk to wherever the person's picture is, point, and say their name again. It's so fun to see you connect the two.
16. You love to wear hats. Multiple hats at that. We found out recently that the "Mike" is your camo ball cap with a stocking cap over it. Your Uncle Mike is known for this and so we know you got it from him. He even got you a matching set like his for your birthday.
17. You are a good caretaker. Uncle Tex, Uncle Mike, and Boppa Charlie all store stuff in our garage and you always want to go out and check on their stuff. You're very good at reporting back to them too. I wonder what will happen when summer comes and they are all using what they store, so our garage is empty.
18. Shoveling with Dad is your favorite outdoor activity. You even got your own shovel from Santa for Christmas. This was the highlight of your day!
19. You enjoy visiting Dr. Katie and Kelsie at Northstone Family Chiropractic. Whether it's for your own adjustment or to accompany Dad or I - you walk in like you own the place. (See the first picture in this post with Dr. Katie on your birthday!)
20. You talk of two girls frequently (we call them your girlfriends)....Marquee (Katie and Joe's daughter) who you found a special valentine for which you insisted that I buy and Ellis who goes to daycare with you and you are always excited to see her (and vice versa).
21. Potty training - you're trying. You always say you want to sit on the toilet, but I'm not sure you understand that instead of going in your diaper, you should go to the bathroom on the toilet. You do however grasp the concept of washing your hands and brushing your teeth in the bathroom.
22. Doggie - you continue to ask for one. So far, we have easily been able to reframe and remind you of Grandpa Nick's dogs (as you call them - although he might disagree). You also ask to go see Katie, Joe, and Marquee's dogs - Mazy and Jade.
23. You've started to work the night time stall. The other night after Dad got you into bed, you asked for me. Then after the door was closed, you got out of bed, grabbed your chair to drag it to the light switch (by the door), climbed up on the chair, and turned on the light. Dad had to coax you off the chair in order to get into your room so he could get you back into bed. About 20 minutes later while we were downstairs watching TV, we heard a loud thud. It was you, out of bed, and sitting between your dressers. When Dad went up to get you in bed, you insisted you'd pooped and then when he confirmed you hadn't, you insisted on new pajamas. Here's to hoping this is a short phase.
24. As you always say to us before bed or before we leave you - "luv you". It's the best thing I have ever heard out of your mouth. It's even better when you give us a bear hug and kiss too.
Love you little man!! You're the best thing that has ever happened to us. Happy 2nd Birthday.
