Luke at Two-and-Three-Quarters
Dear Luke,
At two-almost-three, you can be a challenge. You whine and cry and frustrate easily. You often push away affection; sometimes when I kiss you you say, "No! I don't want a kiss! Take it off!" and I have to wipe it away to make it OK. Often the clothes I pick out for you aren't OK. Or I cut up your food when you want it whole--and then I can't put it back together, which you don't understand. Or leave it whole when you want it cut up. You have a million demands at bedtime. You can be mean to your sister.
But all that's just a small part of you. The bigger--much bigger--part is all the sweetness and wonderfulness. Like mornings when you're super snuggly, come into our bed and lay next to me and I'll hold your little warm body and just marvel at the fact that you're with me. I love watching the delight you take in cars and trucks, construction equipment, trains and your play kitchen. I love how you say after bedtime, "I forgot something. I forgot a hug." and then let me hold you for a long time. I love your smile. I love how you race around the house on your bike and play bumper cars with your Sis and like nothing more than a good "Baby Race."I love how you are up for almost anything. I love how determined you are to be a big kid. I love how incredibly sweet you are most of the time to your sister, even when she's not particularly nice back. I love that you'd rather be outside than anything. I love how you have nursery rhymes--whole books even--memorized and recite them back to me. I love how you are learning to do things that are helpful, like turn on the outdoor Xmas lights every evening and pick up your toys. I love how much you love the bath...I'll let you stay in long after I get out your Sis and you'll play and play and play. I love how your imagination is growing bigger by the day. I love that you ask, "Why?" 10,000 times a day. I love that you love the moon and can't wait to go find it every night. I love how you miss your Dad when he's at work and give him the greatest greetings when he gets home. Mostly I just love all the little moments we have together. I love that I get to be your Mommy. It is such a joy and a privilege.
Can't wait for the rest of two and beyond...
Love,
Mommy
