"I am two!"

We celebrated Quinn's second birthday Saturday. We pulled him around in the wagon in our neighborhood to go to garage sales, where he got a few books and a dinosaur coloring book. After his nap, we went to MU's South Farm exhibition, where he saw lots of farm animals, tractors, pumpkins, and a fire truck. When we got home, he played "driving" in our cars (his favorite game, one that causes some conflict as we get tired of sitting in the hot garage). When he came in, he had a birthday cake and a pile of presents waiting for him, while we all sang Happy Birthday. 

A Little People Farm cake

The cake was two layers - homemade white and chocolate cake with homemade buttercream frosting. I used the Little People figures from one of his presents for the scene on the cake. He got lots of presents, all Little People. My aunt Gena got him two flap books and the school bus, Mom got him the helicopter, and we got him the firetruck, dump truck, and farm sets. For all but what my aunt got him, we spent a total of $10 (we got them all at garage sales this summer). He loved his new toys so much that he spent the 2.5 hours before bed playing non-stop in his room. It became a problem when he didn't want to go to bed, because he had been up for 10 hours. We had a great day, but it ended in tears when he fought sleep for an hour (over-tired, over-sugared, and over-excited).  

Yummy cake!

I can't believe that my baby is two years old. I started the morning at 5:30, when he woke up and wanted to nurse. I held him close, remembering that at that exact time 2 years ago, they handed him to me and he nursed for the first time. I've never known greater joy in my life. Every day with him has been exciting, tiring, and overwhelming with love. He is one incredible little person.

"Look, Mama, I'm driving dadda's car!"

Blowing out the candles

Licking the "mud" (chocolate) off the pig

A School bus!

On the fire truck at South Farm

Quinn calls this one the Mommy cow

Seeing the cows at South Farm

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Friday Jonathan's mom and grandma came to visit Quinn for his birthday. Nonna got him dinosaur-themed presents, which he loves. Quinn even gave them "night-night" kisses before he took his nap. He is getting much more comfortable with family the past few months, which is so relieving of us. We've felt bad for family who don't see him every day and don't get the sweet, loving side of him that he reserves for the select few.

Playing dinosaurs with Nonna

The weekend before last, we took Quinn to the Heritage Festival. He most enjoyed the fire truck and falling asleep on Daddy afterwards. They were playing a loud Star Wars game, and he was tired that he literally fell asleep in the chair sitting up.

Quinn adores fire trucks

So tired...

This is my thinking face. "Hmmm..."

 School has begun. Jonathan and I are each teaching an evening class. We love to be in the classroom, and so far Quinn is adjusting well to having three evenings a week interrupted. He and Daddy play fun games with airplanes and trucks while I'm gone - he is much better at boy play than I am!

Jonathan had a birthday last Friday, and we celebrated by eating lots of treats (homemade ice cream cake, beef jerky, and dinner on a date). I had a few small gifts for him, and Quinn's present was an extra long nap during which we were able to watch a movie. This was the 11th of his birthdays that we've celebrated together! Jonathan is also a published author now, with an article coming out this month in a highly reputable scholarly journal. Way to go!

I love to swim and jump off the edge of the pool!

 Quinn's favorite things lately include swimming (though it's too cold this week), any play involving vehicles, and fixing things with his new tool set (thank you, Oma!). He is talking so clearly and finishes the end of sentences when we read many different books. He has started using the potty almost full-time, even not going in his diaper once at night and a few times while out playing at friends' houses. His favorite phrases are "This is so cool!", "Oh man/oh my!", and describing objects by their size and color. He knows several colors and understands opposites (day/night, big small, loud/quiet, etc.).

My new fire truck! From Oma and Grandad

 Quinn likes to feed the fish at his grandparents' house - he even knows where the food is kept.

Feeding the fish

 I gave him his first real haircut last Sunday. I hated to cut off the beautiful curls, but he hates having his hair brushed, and the curls tangle so badly. It is still curly and cute, but now he looks like a big boy.

Last pictures before the haircut.

He looks like such a big kid in this picture.

It's hard to believe, but in almost 2 weeks Quinn will turn two years old. It seems like yesterday we were driving to the hospital. I cherish my time at home with him - nothing makes me happier than all of us spending time together. He brings us such joy and is turning into the most amazing child. He nearly always listens and cooperates when something is explained to him (though he loves the word "no" as most two year-olds do). He brushes his own teeth, tries to dress himself, washes his own hands, tries to sing the alphabet and count, and generally loves to help around the house. He has such a sweet nature - I am such a lucky mother!