2.5 Years Old

May 19th, 2013. I remember it like it was yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once. With shaking hands, I held that pregnancy test praying the one word I had been waiting (for what seemed like) forever to read. And as vivid as that morning still is in my mind, so much has happened in these three short years that my life has just become exponentially more blessed.

May 19th has become one of my favorite dates of the year. First because I can reflect on the joy we felt on that day. The first pure smile I had smiled in ages. The relief my heart felt that our prayers had been answered. The anticipation and excitement of what would soon come with a pregnancy. And as if this wouldn't be enough, you boys made your debut exactly six months later...making May 19th your half-birthday too! Who doesn't love a reason to celebrate, but May 19th always gives me three big reasons to celebrate: you boys and knowing I was going to be a mother!

So, as tradition goes, let's recap where you stand at 2.5 years old!

Wiley

•  I think you were deemed with the name "Curious George," at just a few months old. The NICU nurses told us you were going to be our Houdini, escaping out of any swaddle job they could attempt. It's amazing to me that you still live up to these names. You are constantly getting hurt because you are always looking five moves ahead of you - what's out there that you can get into next! You like to build and tinker with things. You have such a natural curiosity that I could watch you watching the world around you all day.
• You are very tough (which is good, since you're always getting hurt). Not much makes you cry due to a "booboo." If you cry, I know it's either really bad or you're just really tired. 
• Speaking of tired, you still have the same sleep cues from when you were a baby. Your tongue peeks out and you begin rubbing it between your lips. 
• You are still a great sleeper - in bed by 7:30 and out of bed around 8:30 / 9 (you sometimes wake up earlier, but you and Ryan entertain each other for a long time). You still take a nap a day, which seems to rotate in length. You'll have a couple average length naps (1:30-3:30/4) and then once or twice a week, you'll throw in a 3-4 hour nap (1:30-5). 
• You are a great eater and love your fruits and veggies. Tomatoes and berries are some of your favorite snacks! However, you also inherited Mommy's sweet tooth and would eat cookies for breakfast if we let you.
• You love to play outside - especially in Daddy's fountain and digging in his garden. However, you are very meticulous about your clothes (lines on the socks must be lined up perfectly with your toes. Hmmm, I wonder where you get that from?? Sorry, buddy, that's one of Mommy's quirks too!). So, you don't really like to get dirty and want to immediately wash hands, legs, clothes, whatever it is that might have "mun" on it (mud).
• You are very particular about the things you get. You have a specific Minnie (even though it's exactly the same as Ryan's, you can tell them apart); you have a specific cup, fork, and plate. If you don't get the right one, you are quick to let us know. 
• You are very loving and protective of your brother. If you are given a snack, toy, anything, you wait to get one for Ryan too and are sure to bring it right to him. When around other kids, you keep a close eye on him too. If someone gets a little too close or touches him, you stand in front of Ryan, keeping him safe and protected. It is so amazing to see your loving heart already. You'll make a great daddy one day!
• Your vocabulary continues to explode every day! I am still blown away by things I say to you that you understand. You are a little sponge, soaking everything up. 
• You still love all music! I catch you humming and swaying all day long. You are beginning to sing more too to our nursery and bible rhymes. You even request favorites now when we're in the car. I just adore this! 
• You are your Daddy's mini-me both in looks and personality. You are outgoing and up for new things to do. You are brave and adventurous. We love watching you grow and mature into such a sweet little boy. You make life so much more complete!

Ryan

• You are our flexible, easy-going little guy. You know Wiley has certain things that he wants and you are good to go along for the ride and to make him feel better. If he needs a different fork, you're happy to switch. And while I know we are probably just enabling Wiley's behavior, it helps to have a brother who doesn't mind to make the switch.
• You are more cautious than your brother (and while not quite as timid as when you were younger, you still don't like to take quite the risks Wiley does). You are our observer. You watch to see how something turns out for Wiley - if it worked, monkey see, monkey do! If not, and Wiley got hurt, you sit back and don't try to imitate it. You are more sensitive too. "Ice" is the fix-all no matter where the booboo (even when the "booboo" is hurt feelings or embarrassment). The ice usually isn't even for the actual booboo; it's just for you to eat and soothe you.
• Like your brother, you still have the same sleep cue from when you were a baby - thumb sucking! And while this used to be only for sleep, it has now become your security blanket. When in a new situation / around someone you don't know, that thumb goes straight to your mouth. 
• You are still a great sleeper - in bed by 7:30 and out of bed around 8:30 / 9 (you sometimes wake up earlier, but you and Wiley entertain each other for a long time). You still take a nap a day, which seems to rotate in length. You'll have a couple average length naps (1:30-3:30/4) and then once or twice a week, you'll throw in a 3-4 hour nap (1:30-5). 
• You are a great eater and love your fruits and veggies. Tomatoes and grapes are some of your favorite snacks! You are a neat eater too - you like to use your fork and spoon, trying to stay clean. If unsuccessful, you are quick to ask for a "nap-nap, peease."
• You love to play outside - especially in Daddy's fountain and playing ball. "Pitch Mommy," Pitch Daddy," and "Pitch Wiley," are some of your favorite sentences when you're outside.
• You are very loving and nurturing of your brother. Whenever he gets hurt, you are usually the first one to him, "Oh-tay Wiley?" (You ok, Wiley?). You rub his back and kiss whatever got hurt. Your nurturing spills over into other people and your imagination as well. You love babies and like to take Minnie around wherever we go, treating her like a baby. You hug her, feed her, make sure she is dressed and has a clean diaper on. It is so sweet to see your kind heart already. You'll make a great daddy one day!
• Your vocabulary continues to explode every day! I am still blown away by things I say to you that you understand. You are a little sponge, soaking everything up. A sentence I seem to be saying a lot these days is, "We don't say no to Mommy, we say 'Yes ma'am!'" The other day when you asked Wiley to pitch to you, he said, "No way!" You calmly responded, "No 'no,' Wiley. Yes ma'am pitch!" 
• You love music! I catch you humming and swaying all day long. You are beginning to sing more too to our nursery and bible rhymes. You even request favorites now when we're in the car. I just adore this!
• You are your Mommy's mini-me both in looks and personality. You are more timid and shy, but once you know someone are comfortable and silly with them.

I just can't believe I'm writing about my two and a half year old boys already! Wasn't it yesterday I was writing about four-month old babies who were rolling over and babbling?! Life is such a fun and crazy ride, we're so blessed to have you boys along with us for this ride. Happy half birthday, munchkins!