Kian's 2 Year Elmo Birthday

My little boy turned two on April 5. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown. Kian's no longer a baby, but a full-fledged toddler. The toddler terrors he exhibits (full on tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants, head thrown back and body flailing) are equalized by his independent nature to learn and adorable toddler-esque behavior. He's starting to talk and does so many funny things that only a toddler can do.

He knows words to certain songs and likes to surprise us when least expected with song phrases we didn't know he knew (which he thinks is hysterical). He knows how to sing the ABC song but also modern songs like a Thousand Years by Christina Perri from Twilight (the song we played to him over and over when he was a baby to get him to sleep).

He makes me food from his "kitchen" and loves carrots and beyyies (strawberries). Although he's influenced by his sister's style (Pinkalicious is one of his favorite books and he loves to adorn himself with alia's sparkly necklaces, headbands and hair clips) he's a typical boy at heart. The first thing he does in the morning is run to the playroom to get his "choo-choo" his beloved trains which he seems to carry everywhere.

All of a sudden two weeks ago, he decided he was done with "mama" and now calls me "mommy." He counts to 10 in his deliberate toddler-like ways (skipping through 1, 4-5-6-7 but clearly enunciating 2, 8-9-10 which he ends with an enthusiastic "yay!!" He won't let me buckle him anywhere and insists on doing the "bockle" himself.

 Although he's clearly growing up, he's still attached to his "gaga" or blanket of which we have 7 duplicate versions which he carries around endlessly to sleep, eat, and play. I wish I could encapsulate this age forever. Happy birthday, Kian!