Will's 2nd Birthday

Happy birthday little boy! We were lucky enough that my parents, Jason's parents, Ryan & Steve, and several of our neighbors were able to join us for a birthday party at our house this afternoon a day early.

The cake was from Target and modeled after the birthday party invitations.
We already had the balloons up when Will woke up from his nap. Here he is enjoying a snack while Grandpa Ed and Grandma Hilary try to assemble his new Cozy Coupe.

It was really hard to get a picture of Will standing still! Here's the best I got.

Uncle Ryan pushing Will is his new Cozy Coupe plus trailer!

A view of the trailer, too!

The present opening started very politely, but it quickly devolved into chaos.

Will and his toddler friends enjoying their cake at the kiddy table

Our happy, tired family after the end of our fun party!

A Boy's Toys

Only 4 more days until birthday boy turns 2! Here are some recent pictures of my boy being a boy:

Mommy, look! Mulch and sticks and dirt! Gonna put this stick. . .right there.
Oooh, check out this new bubble mower!
(a birthday gift from our neighbors)

Yes, just need to turn the speed up to rabbit, and we can go!

Will had his two-year old check-up last night, and he's doing well. He is 33 1/2 inches tall and weighs 26 pounds, 4 ounces. Both are in the 25-50th percentiles and are tracking consistently with where he has always been. He was very cooperative and calm for the hemoglobin finger prick test and was angry but recovered quickly from his one shot.

One More Week

One more week until my baby becomes a boy! Well, it seems like he's already such a big boy, but soon we start saying his age in years - 2! - instead of months. That seems like it must be a break point.

Luckily by baby/boy (baby boy) is still a Mama's boy, so I get lots of giggles, hugs, kisses, and most of all, opportunities to hold him.

On this last weekend of being 23 months old, we took a Saturday morning walk to Dunkin Donuts. He wore jammies; I wore yoga pants. We both ate munchkins. It was fun! On the way we saw a fire engine (insert Will sound effects: whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo) and lots of puppies, ducks, geese and birds - all his favorites. On Sunday we went with Daddy to return some things at the mall. It got boring for both of us, so we rode the carousel for the first (and second) time ever! Big hit! First ride was on a panda bear and the second was a black horse. Bear is one of my favorite words to hear him say.

This past week he has started saying "I need" for everything. Some phrased like, "I need more," and "I need Mommy," make sense. "I need all done" needs some work.

He has also tried the potty at school several times. I think it's because of his new love for the word chair and it's just another place to sit. At school that have real toilets; they're just low to the ground. At home he likes me to hold him on the toilet but is petrified of his potty seat. I don't think we'll be potty training anytime soon though. He still doesn't seem to have a grasp for what the toilet is for. Or at least he doesn't seem aware of the fact that he's peeing (based on his obliviousness to it when he does it in the bathtub) or pooping (since he says he hasn't about half the time he's got a full diaper). I've always heard closer to 2 1/2 or 3 for boys, so no worries.

The Skydeck

On Saturday the 7th, we took a family trip to the city for National Train Day. So, of course, we had to ride the train! Will LOVED it and spent the entire trip (both ways) smiling and chattering about all the things in the train and out the windows. {Editor's note: I'm happy to report that the "playground face plant off the jungle gym" scab is already healed.}We went to the train days, but we didn't see anything for little kids, so we grabbed lunch and decided to go to the Sears Tower Skydeck. It was overcast with some rain, but the lines were short! I discovered that the building where I work has a green roof!

The Ledge! It's only 103 feet up. . . that shouldn't get us nervous, right?!

We survived! Headed out for the fun train ride home!

Can He Read?!

On Saturday we learned Will could say the word pizza. This morning, we learned he could read the word pizza. Maybe? Sort of? As far as I know, they don't eat pizza at daycare, and we don't order it at home more than once a month, so I was really surprised he said the word so easily (and often) after I told him that's what we were having for dinner on Saturday night.
But the real surprise was this morning. We were stopped at a stop sign and he said, "pizza." I looked over and there was a big sign that said PIZZA advertising for a strip mall restaurant. And there may have been another sign with a picture of a slice. We have never stopped at this particular place for our pizza, nor has Will been along for a carryout at any pizza, so I guess he's just brilliant! :-) Ironically, he doesn't seem to love pizza and eats only a few bites of his slice before asking for more fruit or whatever else is being served with it.

Mother's Day Weekend - Quick Recap

We had a GREAT weekend, and I'm too exhausted to download pictures or blog about it (and I need to get some work done tonight). But here is it in brief:

Saturday

We took the train to Union Station for National Train Day events. Will LOVED every minute of the hour long train ride: smiling, giggling and chattering the whole way.

We did a very quick stroll through the Great Hall and thought it looked crowded/geared for older kids, so we left to look for lunch. This is where Will fell asleep. The train ride was during his regular nap time.

Instead of returning to Union Station, we went on a tour of the Sears Tower before riding the train back home.

Sunday

Will gave me the best gifts ever! First, he slept until 9:30!! And then he gave me some diamond earrings! I think his Daddy helped him with those. We had brunch for lunch at Pancake Cafe and then did a quick trip through Target. Will took a late nap while I left for a tennis match. Then the guys joined me for a swim before dinner.

Wonderful, wonderful weekend!

If You're Happy

. . .and you know it, clap your hands! (Clap, clap)

Oh, silly, Will! Jason was getting him ready for bed and once the pants came off, he put on extra socks (on his hands), left the pajama pants behind, and did a little dance in the family room.

Though, speaking of little dances, his favorite right now is to dance to the banjo music on his music table in his bedroom. He's got some quick feet and does a little jiggity-jig. And it always ends up with him on the floor giggling!

Table with a View

The other evening, Will ate his dinner while watching Jason mow the yard and water flowers. As you can see, both kids are interested in this. . .

More?! Will would love if his entire meal consisted of fruit. He eats that first and asks for more while the rest of his plate is full. This evening it was grilled cheese and baked beans. Last night it was chicken nuggets and green beans, although he ate up all the blue cheese dressing dip no problem!

Weekend with the Family

Another lovely weekend here in Chicago: we had great weather and lots of fun with the family! Saturday was spent in the city where we got to meet Steve's sister, brother-in-law and niece. They're in the process of relocating to JoCo, so we had lots of advice for them! We had a delicious brunch at Ann Sather and then a fun trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. The two 2-years olds loved all the doting by their uncles and all the fun animals!

I got to play a tennis match each day, and we also had our regular family swim this afternoon. We're all caught up on the DVR, watched our Netflix (The King's Speech), and eaten lots of good food (including two of my favorites: sushi with wasabi and Ben & Jerry's Creme Brulee Ice Cream). Can't ask for a better weekend. . . .if only we could get another day!