You've Done It You've Turned 3 Years Old....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Dear Boston,

We are in Puerto Vallarta right now writing your last letter to you before you turn 3 years old tomorrow.  

It's no less than astonishing the growth and progress you have made both physically and mentally.  You have very much formed into the personality we think you will carry for the rest of your life, and it's a great one that will take you far.  You are intelligent and inquisitive and focus intently on things you want to learn, and you have a real knack for memorizing things like your "funny books" (4 of them), song lyrics, the alphabet, numbers, animals, cartoon characters, your favorite "Little Einstein" or "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" episodes, the order we do the yard (edging, weedeating, mower, then blower) and many other things.  Perhaps our favorite, you are nearly always happy and smiling, and you very often (at least daily) try to make us laugh, exhibiting an extroverted side to you.  You are also very caring and genuinely concerned with the wellbeing of others.  You notice if we or someone else has any "boo boo" and you typically want to kiss the "boo boo" to make it feel better.  You are quite rough and tumble, with a healthy confidence and brave spirit.  You are active and playful, nearly always willing to throw a baseball or football, or kick the soccer ball, or hit around your big plastic golf ball.  Plus, you REALLY LOVE to DANCE, and you love it when we dance with you.  You are a good eater (you especially love meats and beans), and you generally prefer healthy items, like your yogurt and granola, avocado, or fruit (strawberries, blueberries and raspberries being your favorites).  Yet, you have followed your parents' paths of also having a sweet tooth for things like cookies, ice cream, snow cones, candy, etc.  Fortunately, we've been very good at avoiding juices, restricting you to only water and milk, the latter being your absolute favorite beverage.  Lately, you have also developed a very strong desire for independence and to become a "big boy."  You were potty-trained in less than three days (over Labor Day weekend), and you've moved beyond needing to be rocked to sleep (Dada and Mama both miss the "rock you" but we know it's best  that you lose that habit now).  You climb in/out of your crib on your own, you've never insisted upon a nightlight, and you now make your way to our bedroom first thing each morning to let us know that you are hungry.  In many ways, you have become very self-sufficient, making our lives increasingly easy and making us really proud of you.  Finally, you have continued to grow in height and weight (you're around 40 pounds and 40 inches tall), but you've not lost your uber-handsome baby face, fully complimented with your naturally highlighted thick, straight hair.  It may well be that your first "little boy haircut" doesn't happen for another year or two.   

       All in all, you have continued to develop into a wonderful person we know the world will be bettered by, and it's been a real honor and privilege and joy to have been your parents to this point.  We often thank God for giving us you.  You make us better people and inspire us to make our own progress in life.  We look forward to what this next year will bring and to spending all of our days with you as our son.  

With All The Love We Have,

We Love You,

Your Grateful Parents,

Mama and Dada                

Because we are "those" parents and as sentimental as they come, we created a video of your whole 3rd year of life for you to one day enjoy!

Knocking on 3 Year Old Door - 35 months

(September 2nd)

Dear Boston,

       As we come upon the eve of your third birthday, we've planned your party (dinosaurs this year) and started looking forward to our trip to Puerto Vallarta, where we'll celebrate your actual birthday at the beach.  We've also started to look back at our photos and videos of you captured throughout this last year.  Since your next letter will undoubtedly focus on the fun we'll have had during your birthday party and in Puerto Vallarta, we wanted to take this opportunity to share our observations of you throughout the last 11 months.

* Your new phrase is, "Good idea, Momma!" for almost anything I say.  If I tell you that you are going to have a grilled cheese for lunch you'll let me know that that's a good idea.  :)

* You love giving kisses.

* "Actually" is your new favorite word.

*  You are FULLY potty trained!!  More on your success in the next coming week.  

* Fully independent.  You have to get into your carseat all by yourself and buckle too, open the car door, let Jet out to potty and you even go pee on your own, flush and wash your hands all by yourself.  And we know you feel so proud.  

*  You wear size 9 shoe but could fit into a 10 depending on the brand of shoe.  

*  We recently introduced you to ketchup.  And, well, you kinda love it.  You especially like to dip your finger instead of your french fries and lick it off.  :)

*  Your obsession with yogurt and granola continues.  

*  We have still not introduced you to PB&J sandwiches.  Mainly because I have feeling that you won't eat your almost daily ham sandwich.  Who would want ham over peanut butter and jelly?  :)

* Your new all time favorite kid show to watch is....Little Einsteins.  Often you'll shout out, "Fortissimo!" (since it means loud).  Ha. 

*  You are millimeters away from being 40 inches tall.  

This whole month has been another one to treasure.  You light up our lives and we're so very thankful for you.  Your parents adore you and will love you all the days of our lives.  And even in heaven.

Your faithful parents,
xo
     

2 Months Away From 3 Years Old - 34 Months

Dear Boston,

    Oy!  Only 2 more months.  And I haven't even started planning for the 3rd birthday.  Probably because I'm in denial.  Just a little.  Okay a lot!  I can't even wrap my brain around it.  It's true, the older you get the faster life goes and the faster you grow up!  But, Bossy, you should know that you are always welcome to live here at home.  :)  I'd be fine if you and your wife lived here with your kids.  I could totally be that parent.

Here's what you've been up to/saying lately.

* Your new favorite thing to sleep with is a pillow!  Such a big boy.

* A new funny phrase that you say now is, "What's going on friends/parents?"  Ha.  One evening we were all in the hot tub and you started asking us, "What's going on friends?"  It was hilarious.  Then we corrected you to say, "parents." Ha

* While at the store or while we are driving you like to ask, "Where is she going? or Where are they going?"  It's real nice when you say it in the store for people to hear.  ha.  

* No Joke!!  Another new phrase.  Cracks us up!  Many time when you are in trouble, you'll say this and we bust out laughing because not only do you say it, but you also cross your arms while saying it.  Ha.  We are never sure where you learn these antics.  :)

* Our new family thing to say to each other is....."Guess what??? I LOVE YOUUUUU!!"  So anytime momma or dada say "Guess what?" You automatically say I love youuuuu really loud.  Ha.

* Oh boy, another thing you like to say is...."Huh?" over and over.  It's reeeall fun.  :)

* When you wake up from your naps you say, "I wake up!"  HA.  This makes me laugh....but what doesn't make me laugh? :)

* You hear the word obey so much that you can get sassy and tell momma and dada to obey!

* You are now using toothpaste!  And you love it because it tastes like strawberries.  And you're a pro at sipping water to rinse your mouth and spitting it out.

* You can spell: bed, ball, moon, sun and egg

* KIDDING!!!!  Is another favorite thing to say just to make us laugh.  Often you say this when you are getting reprimanded.  And it will make us laugh.

* "What are you doing?"  Is another phrase that you like saying.  :)

* Lastly.....you no longer stay in your crib!  You can jump in and out easily.  But that's okay because its good practice for us when you get your "big boy" bed for your birthday!  We just always reinforce to you that you have to stay in your bed.  And about 90% of the time you do.  The other 10% is when are jumping out to come down stairs to our room in the morning.  :)  And since dada sleeps closest to the door you immediately jump in bed and sleep a little longer while he snuggles you.  I'm pretty sure you both love this time in the mornings.  Although, sometimes you are too hungry to sleep so he gets up with you and feeds you breakfast before he gets ready for work.  :)

We are so in love with you,

Faithfully, Your Parents

33 Months And Still Awesome

Dear Boston,

     Oh Bossy....you are still as awesome as you were the first day of life.  Just a bigger type of awesome.  You are growing non-stop.  You're quite a big boy!  Coming in at 37lbs and 39.5 inches tall.  We are amazed at your growth.  It's often that we hear people asking if you are 3 or even 4 years old because you look so big.  It use to shock us but we're pretty used to it now.  Why?  Because we feel every bit of your tall/heaviness when we carry you.  You are not light for momma and you are well over half her height already.  But she manages to continue to try to carry you when we are out places.  Another awesome part of you....all of your little "sayings/phrases" lately.  You crack us up every day.  Its such a joy to hear some of the things that come out of your mouth and to see some of your actions.  You are quite the joke-ster and clown.  Love making us laugh.  We wonder sometimes where you learn things but then remember that you have many many cousins that you spend time with.  They tend to have an effect on you.  Some good and some not so good.  :)  When we say good, we mostly mean funny.

One thing will always be true, we are thrilled to go to bed at night and to wake up each morning knowing that we have a little boy up in his room in his bed that is ours.  Ours for life.  And for our next life.  Thrilled.  Thank you, son.  Thanks so very much for being so cool.  And awesome.

Here's what you were up to this month:

* You're favorite line this month was...."I'm sorry, mama!"  It's the sweetest sound ever.  If you did something that you knew you shouldn't have done (disobeyed) or if you threw a tantrum you would immediately tell momma you're sorry.  It's so sweet and a great distraction for us to just move on and forget about what just happened.  We've learned to do that very well with you lately.  Instead of focusing on the bad we switch to something positive or fun!  :)

*  Anytime you fall down/rough house and we think you got hurt, you say, "I'm okay!" HA.  It makes us laugh.  You are definitely a tough little fella.  If you do cry we know that you really got hurt.

*  For some reason, you called mommy Mom a few times.  We quickly changed that/corrected you to say momma or mommy.  Not sure why but the word Mom just sounds so....grown up.  And we aren't ready for that just yet (maybe never).  :)

*  Another favorite phrase this month was, "I'm tall as a mountain!" A-dorable!  

*  A few times you would do/make something cool with your toys you would say, "Tada!"  HAHA.  You are constantly making us laugh with your antics.
*  You still constantly love to sing.  Mostly because of your music class that you more than enjoy!  More about this in a later post.  Your favorite songs to sing are: Wheels On The Bus, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves The Little Children, Itsy Bitsy Spider and the ABC's.

*  A new favorite cereal that we introduced to you this month was daddy's favorite Honey Bunches of Oats.  But they are known to you as Hon Buches of Boats!  HA!!  Yes, you call them boats and not oats.  We tried many times correcting you but it was a lost cause so we just laugh and refer to them now as boats, too.  :)
*  You love to spell your name, spell mommy and spell daddy.
*  You know the sounds to 17 alphabet letters.  We're still working on the last few.

*  After about a month of off and on practicing you have mastered tracing.  And you are so so proud of yourself.  Great job, son!!

* If you see something big or get a yummy snack you'll say, "Oh boy!"  lol.  

*  Okay, so this is totally mommas fault.  She always says (which is a no-no to say in front of you) what the heck?  Well.....you said it one day after she said it and we laughed.  Probably not the right thing to do but it was so cute.  Now, you think it's funny to say.  Needless to say, we are trying to keep you from saying it.  And momma has quit saying!

*  Oh man....something you say quite often is, "I trouble."  If we reprimand you or tell you to do something like, put your toys away or sit down in your chair (not stand) or anything....you immediately say, "I trouble."  lol.  So we are constantly telling you that you aren't in trouble.  

*  If we are talking to you, often, you'll ask...."Whatchyou talkin' bout?" HAHA.  

*  "What's that?" Is another favorite.  Which is totally fine with us.  We love that you are intrigued by things and want to learn.  :)

*  Funniest thing ever....after daddy goes and get you in the morning and feeds you breakfast.  You come into our room and go over to momma's side of the bed and say to her, "Pssst, wake up!"  HAHA.  She laughs every.single.time.  We have no clue where you learned that but if sure does put a smile on our faces first thing in the morning.  Best part is that you know it makes us laugh so you are sure to say it every morning. 

*  Still loving Home Depot.  Its been a weekly thing lately.  We go and you immediately request to see the tractors.  And not just one tractor.  You have to try them all out.  Sitting on them, pretending to drive and pushing all the buttons.

*  We could be doing mundane things like going on a walk (pushing you in your stroller) or cooking dinner you will turn to us and say, "What you doing?"  HA.  Most of the time its totally obvious what we are doing but the fact that you ask us is so funny to us.  Its as if you want to start up a conversation. :)

*  You peed in the toilet for the first time ever (the 25th)!!  Daddy was getting you ready for your bath that evening and he asked you if you wanted to potty in the toilet.  And after about a minute of standing in front of the toilet you did it!!  A stream started and we started acting silly with pure excitement.  You were so so proud/excited too!  However, you have yet to continue this.  This only happens now each night before bath time.  But soon, soon we'll get you on the potty training train.  Just waiting until you are fully ready.
*  Lastly but most importantly....your prayers all-on-your-own are excellent!  You often say them by yourself each time we eat and at bedtime.  And one day during your prayer you said, "Dear Ward (Lord), thank you for everything, big and small.....we cracked up.  We've never said big and small during our prayers and we were wondering where you heard/learned that.  And then daddy remembered that when he reads your bible stories to you at bedtime he read a story about how Jesus loves everyone big and small.  :)  So now, your prayers go something like this (they've evolved over the past month): "Dear Lord, thank you for everything, big and small, for gpaw and abby (and he lists almost everyone in our family including cousins), I love you....Amen."  Seriously, we are the most proud when you say this all by yourself with your eyes tightly closed while holding our hands.  You can reach many learning milestones and other awesome milestones that we are proud of, but this one is the one that means the most.  We love that you love to talk to Jesus.  And yes, we always pray before our meal even if we are out at a restaurant and happy that it's become the norm for you and you won't be afraid to pray anywhere!

You're A 32 Month-er

Dear Sweet Boston,

     This picture fits you perfectly.  Always saying something.  You are full of words and thoughts.  You are still funny as ever.  Always wanting to make us laugh.  You are such a sweet little guy.  This past month was one of the best.

*  You are constantly making us laugh.  

*  You have learned to trace!  After practicing off and on for about a month you've gotten the concept down pretty good.

*  If we tell you to do something and you don't want to....then momma or dadda will say, "Ok, momma will do it." You immediately say, "No!  I do it!" Kinda our trick to getting you do whatever we want you to.  :)

*  You have learned what quarters and penny's are.  We are still working on nickels and dimes.  

*  We are still practicing how to say thank you, you're welcome and please in Spanish

* We had an awesome month with you this month.  You were mainly obeying!  You only went to time out maybe a hand full of times.  We are so proud.

* You are officially in a size 9 shoe.

* You still only drink milk and water.

* If you get reprimanded for something you will make a "cheesy" smile and completely throw me off and make me laugh.  Smart one, I tell ya. :)

* We are still rocking you to sleep (something that momma started about a month ago.  it was something she felt she wanted/needed to do one evening and you ended up loving it so much that you ask for it every night.  we keep asking ourselves "what did we start?"  But we are going to cherish it while it lasts.  we know that one day you won't want us to rock you at all).

* You do not like watermelon or cantaloupe.  

* You celebrated Mother's Day for the 3rd year with us.

* You LOVE to mow the yard with dada.  

* Your favorite foods are still: yogurt and granola.  

* Instead of eating your waffles plain now, we will put apple butter on them.  And you love it.

* You are still not potty trained.  We are still waiting until you are ready.  Even though you tell us when you need your diaper changed, you still have not wanted to go in the "potty."  But we promised not to rush you.  One thing we do know, you will not start kindergarten in diapers.  ha.  :)

xo

We Love You Like Jesus Loves You,

Your Faithful Parents

31 Months for the Bos-Man

Dear Boston,
     Oh Bossy.  We had another great month with you.  You are such a delight.  A very strong-willed delight but we love it.  You are hilarious, too.  Just like your daddy.  We are blessed beyond imagination for the Lord's grace.  His grace of giving you to us.  Cheers to another awesome month and to an infinity more!

Here's what you've been up to:

* While we are out at the grocery store or home depot or anywhere you like to say Hi to everyone that passes by.  And it's almost like you take them by surprise like, "Did he just say hi to me?" and then they smile and quickly respond with a Hi back to you.  Ha.

* For about 2 weeks you called me "mom."  And it's safe to say momma did not like it.  Mom just sounds like something a teenager would say and I'm not ready for that.  I much rather prefer to be called mommy or momma for now.  :)

* Everything lately has the "so" word.  You are always saying, "I'm so stuck" or "I'm so sad" or "I'm so strong" it cracks us up.

* So this month I had the need to rock you to sleep one night.  To be honest, I just wanted to hold you and soak it all in because I feel like you are growing up way too fast.  Well.....one night turned into 2 nights and 2 nights turned into 20 now!  We haven't rocked you to sleep since you were about 9 months old when you were still nursing.  We will now have to break you of that!  On a good note - you no longer go to sleep with your "ba-ba!"

* You are fascinated with bugs.  And have no fear when it comes to them.  Its fun to watch your interest, although we have to watch you because you are often too rough with them.  Roly poly's and butterflies in particular.

* You love going to the park to catch butterflies in your butterfly catcher that Abby got you.  :)

* It's a must that you help put grocery's on the roller-thing at checkout.  And you're great at it.

* You don't like sitting in the store carts anymore.  You'd much rather push them.  And we can't touch the basket either to help you.

* You just started playing the Jake's Pirate School app.  It's one of your favorites.

* We are still trying to teach you some Spanish words.  You are learning, thank you, you're welcome and please in Spanish. 

* You love riding your scooter on the sidewalk around our neighborhood.  We've noticed that you only use your left foot to push.

*  You use your golf club swinging left handed which is opposite of us.

* You love to tell us, "Watch me!"

* You have always said Bless You to anyone that sneezes or coughs but now you say it to yourself by saying, "Bless you me."  lol

* Throughout the week you'll ask if it's Monday because Monday is trash day and music class day.  

* You absolutely positively love music class.  Its all you talk about through the week.

* You like to eat your pizza slices upside down.  :)

* You are fantastic at testing us.  You like to do what we tell you not to do.  And then you'll look at us to see what we do.  Silly boy.

Always and Forever,
Your Faithful Parents
xo

3-0 As In 30 Months Young....Whew That Flew Bye

Bossy, Bos-man, B, B-man, Stud-man, Bos,

You are one amazing little dude.  Like, seriously, daddy and I are head over heels in love with your little self.  You are such a delight in our lives.  You're our world.  Our everything.  That we will protect and cherish forever.  Everyday you are doing something new or funny.  You are quite the character as I mentioned last month.

Your personality is blooming and has been so fun to watch.  Not to mention your looks are beautiful/handsome/awesome.  Daddy and I look at you sometimes with googly eyes wondering how we got such and awesome kid.  Only He knows how.  :)

I can't believe you are already 30 months old.  That means your knocking on your 3rd years door.  Only 6 more months.  Ouch.  Can't think about that.

This month was another fun month.  Here's what you were up to:

- you crack us up when you tell me and daddy, "Good job, momma/daddy!"  You clearly have heard us tell you that one too many times.  You are a hoot I tell ya!

- Whenever you think you are in trouble, you put your head down and close your eyes and say (in a really sad voice), "I'm sad."  HAHA.  It makes me laugh and then you're no longer in trouble.  Funny how that works.  Little stinker.  :)

- You are a champ at saying prayers (with our help).  You mostly take them very seriously.  Sometimes in the middle of dinner you will say, "say pwayer, hold hands" which means you want to say another prayer.  :)  And at night we say a prayer before going to bed and you know to close your eyes.  Sometimes you'll open them and laugh but then you get serious again and close them.  It makes daddy and I laugh so hard.  

- We had somewhat of a tantrum month.  But we beat it.  You are back to being a terrific two year old (for the most part).

- You're still a huge meat eater.  But having a little trouble in the veggie department.

- You had a few weeks of not wanting any bananas.  Way out of character but you're back on the banana bandwagon.

- We started practicing our Spanish flash cards.  And now we practice a few words throughout the day. Like saying, gracias (thank you), de nada (you're welcome), por favor (please).  We'll start out slow until you master those.

- You're in size 9/10 shoes.

- You crack up over Jet's tail.  When it wags you belly laugh.  It's hilarious.

- When you are going to throw a ball or hit a ball with your golf club or anything you want us to see, you'll say, "watch this."  Ha.

- You love snacking on hummus and carrots.

- Something you've been doing for several months is putting your hand up by your head behind your ear whenever you hear something.  And you'll say, "listen!" or "hear that?" or "what's that noise?"  And you'll turn your head and look up.  lol.  It of course makes us laugh.  

- you still LOVE Home Depot and can spot them when we pass them while driving.

- you are obsessed with getting into the car and pushing all of the buttons, still.

- you know what dandelions are and love blowing them.  Every time we leave music class you pick them and blow them.  And it makes me laugh that you don't blow through your lips but instead you blow through your teeth so it makes a funny noise.  HAHA.  Love it so much.  :)

- You might be a little obsessed with your music class.  To the point where if we don't listen to your music class CD you get a little....um, cranky.  Ha.

-  You've started wanting to swing again in your swing on the back patio.  We've spend lots of days lately swinging.  :)

- You got a new Latches Board and its been a big hit.  You like trying to figure things out and you basically mastered it within minutes.  But you still like to play with it throughout the day.

- Speaking of throughout the day, I still can't get you to play independently.  So I'm just going to chalk it up as you being a momma's boy.  :)  Maybe because you are home with me so much and I've always gotten on the floor to play with you that now you need me there to play with you.  Not sure, but there are times where I wish you'd play independently so I could get a few things done.  :)  

We love you deeply, Bos.

Stay your perfect little self.

And rock those 30's!  :)

Faithfully,

Momma and Dada

Last Month of Your Twenty's - 29

Dear Boston,
It was another great month spent with you.  Your little personality is really starting to shine through more and more every day.  You are very much a silly boy.  You love to make us laugh.  Your daddy was the same way when he was younger.  He was the "class clown" in the 6th grade and even got in trouble for it.  Ha.  So, we could have a little comedian on our hands.  :)

29.  Wow.  This is your last month of being in your "20's."  Its sad for momma to think about.  So, I will savor this month to the fullest before you turn 30 months.  Errr, let's not say that number again.

Here's what you were up to in the month of February:

* you can now count to 20 pretty perfectly (when you want to)!  I need to get a video of you, soon.

* you can point to Maine, Washington, Florida, California, Texas, the ocean and Alaska when asked on your U.S. map. 

* we started learning to trace this month and you are doing great but still need practice.  :)

* you love to tell us, "Good job, Momma!" and Good job, Dada!"  It seriously is the cutest thing ever.  

* you got to ride in an ambulance for the first time when you got croup.  now every time you see an ambulance driving down the road you say, "Ambance! Bossy ride in an ambance!"  I guess you think its pretty cool that you got to ride in one.  ha.

* you went to visited the local aquarium for the first time.  you had a blast.  especially since your grandparents joined us.
* you LOVE your back rubbed, your hair rubbed (played with) and your hands and feet tickled.  ha.  

* you were featured on the Babiekins magazine blog early February!  we were thrilled to say the least.  :)

* you do not like the work NO.  you've gotten good at your tantrums when this word is said.  but we try to handle you with care and not show you that it bothers us.  keeping calm and collected.  most of the time when I say, "oh, please tell mommy sorry for screaming" in a sweet calm voice, you will calm down, hug me and say sorry.  then it's over and we change the subject.  this works about everything other time.  but we'll take it....we know this is a short phase that will go away eventually!  :)

* mommy made homemade playdoh for you to play with for the first time.  you loved making cars, trains and airplanes with the cookie cutters.  oh and you made weights out of the playdoh and would act like daddy when he lifts his weights by making "phew, phew" noises like dada does.  :)  this shows us that you watch every-single-thing-we-do!

* you started telling me that you have "poopy" in your diaper then you'll run to lay down on the floor while saying, "change diaper" so I can change your diaper.  maybe we are getting close to being ready for some potty training action!  

* you absolutely love everything about your music class.  you request to listen to your 2 music CD's from class all the time.  it's a frequently played in our house throughout the day.  

* it's so cute when you say, "cuse me" when you burp and "you're welcome!" when I tell you thank you.  

* mommy's favorite: you constantly wanting to hold mommy's hand!  I'm hoping this will last forever!

Stay your awesome self, little man!

You're our heart and we'll forever love you.  

Your always faithful and thankful, 

Mommy and Daddy

A Whole 28 Months, Stud Man

*Feb 2*

Oh Bossy you are our little knight.  You shine so bright in our eyes and have taught us so much about how loving a child feels.  It feels awesome.  Our love for you is infinite and unconditional.  

I can't believe it's been 28 months since you've entered this world.  It's been the best 28 months of our lives.  Sharing the rest of our lives with you has to be best thing daddy and I could have ever ask for.  You have been such an awesome little son.  You are perfect for us.  This month has been an eventful one.  We are so thankful for you and everything about you.  We often wonder what life was like without you.  Even though your mommy and daddy had been together for 14 years before you entered into our lives.  What we can say is that our lives have gotten so much more fun.  We didn't even know that was possible because we lived life to fullest while being DINKs (double income no kids).  :) 

Every now and then I think back to the first couple of months with you when you would sleep on our chests peacefully, fit on the boppy and nurse in the early hours of the morning where it was just me and you and I would carry you everywhere in my Baby K'Tan.... and I cry.  I shed a tear because I truly miss those days.  Probably because your momma is a overly sentimental about you and because it was such a glorious time.    

However, with that said.....even though the thought of you growing up (too fast for comfort) and getting older is like nails on a chalkboard, we do enjoy every part of every new stage.  Each stage does get more fun.  We have loved getting to see your personality come through.  You have a very kind soul and also love to make us laugh.  You are likely to be class clown like your dad was/is.  :)

Happy 28 months.  You have our hearts.

We love you more than you'll ever know,

-Your faithful mommy and daddy-

Here's what you are up to these days:

- you call the iPad the iPap and you are very good at using it.  we only let you play learning apps and sometimes we let you watch a Disney show (Mickey Mouse) on it.  each time you get to play on it you already know the Disney app is off limits because you shake your finger and say, "No Disney, no Disney!" hahaha.  

- when we ask you a question like, "do you want to go to the park?" instead of saying, "Yes!" you say, "Ookaaayy" it is the cutest thing ever.  you don't ever say the word yes.  it's always okay.  cracks us up every.single.time.  

- you love animals.  so much so that you have taught yourself (memorized) about 30-40 types of animals and species and their sounds.  

- every time you see an airplane in the sky you say, "airplane park at airport."  since we live near one of the major airports in Texas the planes are often low and headed towards the airport to land.

- if you don't want to eat something or do something you always say, "No____!"  like when we say it's nap time or time to go to bed.  You say, "No nap!"or "No bed!"  ha.  

- you still say "Mas" for more in Spanish.

- you are still pretty obsessed with Mickey Mouse.

- part of one of your Christmas presents from us this year was a United States of America map.  you love it.  love looking at it and learning the states.  we've taught you all of the states that you've been to.  California, Florida and, of course, Texas.  you can now point to them when we ask you.  You also know where the ocean is.  it always reminds you of the ocean in Florida when you played on the beach.  you still remember.  crazy!

showing us where Texas is located.  :)

- you still say bless you when someone sneezes or coughs

- when you need help doing something your immediate response is, "Hep peas" aka help please.

- you think its so cool to run through your Jack and Jill bathroom.  you get a kick out of running from your room through your bathroom and ending up in another room.  ha.

- you get a kick out of washing your hands and using your step stool, still.  you're hands are now always clean.  :)

- you are still rocking out on learning your lowercase letters

- you always refer to yourself as "Bossy."  ha.  I guess we call you that all too often.  

- you love granola and yogurt so much you wake up asking daddy for it.  and you wake up from your nap asking for it too.  you would eat only that if we'd let you.  

- you are officially in size 3T clothing

- you haven't shown any sign of wanting to potty on the toilet so we will wait.  but daddy for the past 5 months or so when daddy is here you go and watch him so that you know what to do when you are ready.  

- you celebrated your 3rd New Years with us!

- you got to play in snow again this month!

- you are an awesome helper.  You love helping me put laundry away.  it may not be perfect but its okay.  when daddy pulls open his drawers to his messy socks in his drawer he knows who the culprit was.  :)

- if something is too hard or heavy you either say, "That's too heavy!" or "That's too big!"

- your favorite chore to do is sweeping.  you can spot a broom anywhere.  even at restaurants.

- another favorite: vacuums.  you know where we store our vacuum and you'll open that closet just to see it and touch it.  then you close to door and say, "Bye bye vacuum."  at stores, its a must that if we pass (or you spot their vacuums) we have to go and let you touch them.  

- you have had a blast this past month playing and reading in your teepee.  and sometimes you'll go in there and act like you are sleeping and start snoring.  you're quite the ham.

 

- anytime you fall you immediately say, "I'm okay!"  it's adorable.

- you love telling Jet, "Good boy!" and then you pat his back.  ha.

- you love to recycle things.  daddy and I are huge about recycling.  we have a big recycling bin next to our trash can in our pantry.  when I hand you something and tell you to recycle it, you know exactly where to put it.  

- you moved up to the 2 year old class in the church nursery!

- you HAVE to do everything yourself.  you take your shorts, pants and jackets off by yourself, you have to help pull your pants up and put your socks on.  you have to push the button to open and close the garage when we come and go.  you have to buckle yourself into your car seat (we help you but you don't seem to notice).  you put your crocs (shoes) on by yourself.  you have to push the carts in stores (you no longer want to sit in the seat).  you have become VERY independent lately and wanting to do "mommy and daddy" things.

- you constantly ask to drive.  we made the mistake of letting you sit in the driver seat a few too many times to help us "drive" the car/truck into the garage and now you think you have to drive all the time.  if we don't let you, it's not a pretty sight.  :)

- in the car you say, "Music, music!" and if I don't turn on our church CD you flip.  total meltdown.  

- biggest event this month: you had a major ouchie on Thursday, January 24th and your first trip to the Emergency Room (a post all about it coming soon).

Twenty-Seven For The B-ster

Oh Bossy.... you are amazing.  And truly our dream child.  :)  These past 27 months (which you turned last Wednesday) have been the best months of mine and daddy's lives.  We only thought we were living a great life....then you came into it and made it truly awesome.  Everyday there is something knew that you are doing or saying and we can't help but burst with happiness.

Another month has come and gone and we are ever so thankful that we've gotten so spend another month with you.  We can't wait to spend MANY many more!

Here's what you've been up to this past month: 
- Anytime you do something that shocks us or spill something or throw something mommy says, "Oh wow" and now you say it.  All.the.time.
- Your favorite show to watch in the mornings while eating breakfast is Mickey Mouse and you've become a little obsessed.
- You recently learned how to blow your nose.  We aren't even sure how you learned because we never really taught you.
- Every time you burp or toot you immediately say excuse me.  Yes, we think it's adorable.
- Anytime you throw a toy when you're not supposed to or you hurt Jet by being too rough with him we always make you say sorry to the toy and to Jet.  So....now when you get hurt you say, "I sorry" to yourself.  Ha.
- Your favorite thing to do is help daddy take out the trash and bring it back in after the garbage truck has picked it up.  Because of this, we have started learning our days of the week (kinda, you only know Sunday and Monday) because you ask most mornings to "take tash" and I tell you that it's not Sunday yet.

- You love to help check the mail in the afternoons when dada gets home.
- When you want us to carry you you say, "I carry you?"  Too funny.
- Your favorite new movie is "PoPess" aka Polar Express.  We watched it during the holidays as a family and you've become hooked.  Not surprised since it's about a train!
- For a few weeks this month you would throw a mega tantrum when it was time to get back into your car seat after returning from a store.  You've started wanting to "drive" and be in the front seat.  Something daddy started and now it's a must in your book.  Sorry dude, you're not 16.  :)
- You've started saying, "Oh no!"  Especially when watching Polar Express and the little kid looses his ticket.  You'll say it over and over.  Daddy and I look at each other and snicker under our breaths.
- For the first time ever you stayed overnight away from home.  You went to stay at the ranch with your your grammy and grandaddy while mommy and daddy got a few things done around the house and went on a few dates.

*leaving in grandaddy's truck*

- At night if we are outside or driving down the road you yell out, "Crescent moom" or "Moom."  You can tell the difference when it's a crescent moon or a full moon.  You never fail to amaze us.
- When ever you kiss Jet you say, "aww" because that's what we say when we see you do it.
- You love pointing out backhoes, bulldozers, police cars, excavators, fire trucks, buses, skid steers, fuel trucks and garbage trucks while riding in the car.  Its safe to say that you are also obsessed with all types of big equipment.  The amazing part - you know the difference between all of them thanks to a book you got for your birthday.  You've studied that book so well that you know exactly where they are on the pages too.
- During the weekends when we play our church songs at home you will raise your hand/s and say "praise Jesus" it makes us laugh every time.  Our hope is that you really do praise Jesus when you grow up.
- If we are in front of any mirror and I point to you and ask you who that is you say, "Bossy!" Ha.
- You say anything we tell you to say all the time which is such a delight because only 5-6 months ago you wouldn't say anything when we asked you to say it.
- Another thing that mommy says way too often in front of you is, "Oh my!" and now you say it all the time.
- We've already given you already have a chore: feeding Jet.  And you love it.  Jet will never starve with you around.  Jet often finds ice in his water too.
- You are currently transitioning into wearing mostly 3T clothing except for pj's we keep you in 2T so they are nice and snug on you.
- You wear sizes 8/9 shoes.
- You have discovered a love for dancing.  You get up off the couch to do the hot dog dance after watching an episode of the mickey mouse club.  It's the cutest thing ever because your dancing is what we call slow motion dancing.  Because it's very slow and thought out.  Ha.
- You're still an awesome eater except you've began to not like veggies so much.  Everything else you'll eat.  We are working on changing that.....momma is about to start incorporating pureed veggies into your meals.
- You have become quite the kisser.  You will often walk up to dada's head and kiss it or pull my hand to your mouth and kiss it.  This has become an often occurrence lately and we hope that it never stops.  It literally melts our heart each and every time.
- You love to do learning apps on the iPad which you hilariously call it the "iPap" no matter how many times we try to get you to pronounce the "d" in iPad.

Son.....thank you for being you.  You are perfect in our eyes and couldn't have asked Jesus for a better child.  After all, HE trusts us with you and chose us to be your parents.  What an honor and a gift.  

Your grateful and love-you-more-than-words-can-say parents,

xxxxxxoooooo

The Big Two-Six For The B-Man

Woah, we're already at 26 months!  

These months are getting faster and faster but more fun each day.

A Few Highlights

- you constantly say "peas" please for everything.  It's the cutest thing ever.

- you are constantly talking about Goofy, Donald Duck, Mi Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Pluto.

- we got to take the baby gates down from the stairs.  you can walk up and down the stairs with no problems at all.  

- you know most of your LOWERCASE alphabet (all of about 4 letters we're still working on)!!  (I'll post later about how he learned them)

- you're a pro on the iPad.  you have your own little folder named BOSTON with all of your toddler apps.  

- you LOVE your truck book.  you have memorized all of them and say them often when we see one while we are driving.  Like the other day we were driving around some construction and you yelled out, "backhoe, backhoe!!"  Made us laugh.  

- you like to get on the barstools to watch mommy cook.

- you are a huge meat eater and love coleslaw.

- you say "BOO!" to everyone and everything.  

- you are a rough houser.  Total boy.

- when you give Jet a kiss you always say, "awww!" because that's what we say when we see you kiss him.  ha

- you got an unwanted haircut this month (the day after Thanksgiving).  Your Abby (grandma) decided that she would go ahead and cut your hair while me and daddy were out having a date day!!!  I couldn't believe it.  I was in utter shock because she is NOT a hair stylist nor does she know the first thing about cutting hair.  I noticed immediately and a few days later I asked her about it and she said she cut your hair!!  ha.  Your Abby is a mess. :)  So, nonetheless, we had to give you a trim so your hair is in the growing phase these days.

- you love to say, "I did it! and I found it!"

- you are 36 1/2 inches tall.

- and you still love to JUMP! :)

Loved for Eternity,
Mommy and Daddy

Twenty-Five Months....Fun Times

Our baby boy turned 25 months old last week!

  We are thankful that we've kept him alive for this long.  :)  We had a fun time throwing rocks that day in celebration of his 25 months of life.

A Few Highlights:
- you said your first name this month
- you are saying so many sentences
- you like the Maroon 5 song "One More Night" and your Gateway Worship songs
- you are a little over 36 inches tall now

We love him and all of his 25 month self.

TWO YEARS LATER - Thank You For Being Our Son

Dear Boston James,
      It's official.  You are now 2 years old, and what an awesome 2 year old you are.  You are the most handsome little boy we've ever seen.  It's nearly every day that we encounter a stranger out in public who sees you and goes out of their way to tell us how cute or handsome they think you are.  The best part of you, however, is not your looks... it's your kind and happy spirit.  You go out of your way to see other people, wave to them and say hello, and you've been known to blow kisses at complete strangers (or even passing helicopters or cars) when they pass by you.  It is our greatest joy in life to watch the son we created develop his personality into one of compassion, kindness, happiness, love, adventurousness and interest in all things.  These past two years have had both good and difficult moments, but the good moments, mixed with a few truly great ones, far outweigh the difficult times.  We wouldn't change a thing about this experience or about you.  We can only hope that the remainder of our time with you will be half as wonderful as these past two years.  You are an amazing little boy, and we thank God each and every night for giving you to us.  We are better people for it. 

      As we've done every month since you were born, we add to this letter all of the things you've started to do, or like, or say, or want during this past month. 

* you started taking your shirts off all by yourself.

* you LOVE blowing kisses to everyone and everything.  even when a bus passes by. :)

* you are very much a lover boy.  you love giving hugs and snuggles to us and friends.

* you are very inquisitive.  you aren't much of a talker around others, but you definitely study others.

* you constantly want us in your crib when you wake up.  you say, "momma" or "dada" and then point to your bed.  I have to say we love it, a lot.

* duck is a new favorite word.

* you very much so love ready your books.  

* the children's ministry at church always compliments you on how kind and loving you are.

* when jumping or sliding you like to say, "1,2,3 ready, go!"

* you still sign "more" when you want more of something.  although you say it, too.  

* you still sign "hungry" when you want to eat.

* anytime someone sneezes/coughs you say "bess" for bless you.  ha.

* park is another favorite word.  in fact, we no longer can come in the entrance of our neighborhood because you see the park and want to go, even when we can't go that day.  so instead of having a full meltdown, we go in and out the back entrance of our neighborhood.  

* you LOVE to "talk" on the phone.  you begin by saying, "eo" for hello and then jibber jabber quickly and then say, "Bye."  lol.  cracks us up!

* you are now down to one nap a day.  it's an average of 2-4 hours.  

* your new favorite foods are cookies.  no surprise.  you might have a sweet tooth like momma.

* you still only drink water and milk.  that'll happen probably until you are about 3 or 4.  :)

* anytime you see a clock you say, "cok."

* you now know lowercase letters a, b,c,d and e.

* when you're done eating you say, "aw dow" and put your hands up.  

* you constantly ask, "what is that?"

* every night when we put you to bed the last words you say to us are, "bye bye, momma and bye bye, dada."  we look forward to that each and every night.  

* when we pray (before each meal and at bed time) and we ask you to close your eyes, you put your hand over one eye.  ha.  while the other eye is still looking at us. :)

* when I point to a cross, you say, "Jesus!"

* if you can't find momma or dada, you walk around saying, "where you go?" or when you play peek-a-boo, you hold your eyes closed and say it.  :)

* your new favorite movie is Lion King and saying, "Simba."

* when you see a lion, you say, "ROOAR!"

       We love you and we love what you have done to our hearts in just 2 short years.

Faithfully,

Your Momma and Dada

23 Months - One Month Until You're TWO

Dear Boston James,
          Wow, little man, you've become such a handsome, intelligent and fun-spirited son.  Nearly every day this month you have done or said something new.  It has been so fun to watch.  This age is really a great one.  You have such an adventurous spirit, coupled with a huge amount of compassion for others, and, even though you occasionally "melt down" when you aren't getting something you think you need, you are very sweet toward your parents.  Dada absolutely loves that everything he does, you want to copy him and be just like him, and momma loves it when she teaches you new letters, numbers or words and you remember them.  Your little brain is in maximum overdrive every second that you are awake, and your capacity to learn things so quickly is stunning.  Sadly, dada and momma's brains don't quite work that way anymore.  Anyhow, son, you continue to make us proud, and we are constantly reminded of just how lucky and blessed we are that God chose us to be your parents.  Thank you for being you.

        As with your other letters, here's a good list of things you've been up to this past month:

- you had a HUGE month in terms of talking.  lots and lots of it.

- you started saying: 

"top" aka stop

"kire kuck" aka fire truck

"garga kuck" aka garbage truck

"bebe" aka baby

"boopie" aka poopie

"boom" when something hits something or falls

"ba" aka bowl

"moom" aka moon.  you point this out to us at night every time you see the moon.  you love showing us the moon.

"mowie" aka movie

"dow" aka down

"amen"

"tay ku" aka thank you.  this is your favorite word.  you say it every time momma gives you something.  

- one of THE CUTEST things you do is when we tuck you into bed for the night and after we say our prayers and give you kisses and tell you we love you....you say, "bye bye dada, bye bye momma" in the sweetest voice ever.  it even melts dada's heart. :)

"pees" aka please

"tha ku" aka thank you

"tha yo" aka there you go when you hand something to me

"kuk" aka Cook

"duck"

- you love saying bye to everything.  while driving down the road, if you see a bus or a tractor or a truck you have to say "Bye" to them when we pass them.

- you are adorable in the mornings when you wake up.  you lay in your crib just talking, counting and saying momma and dada.  you never wake up crying.

- you like clapping when you see other people clapping, even on tv.

- you love holding your banana (with the peel) like a big person and peeling the sides down as you eat it. :)

- you love pointing out flags.

- you can blow kisses when we tell you to.

- you roll your eyes if we say, "Boston, can you roll your eyes?"  it's too funny.

- when we tell you something is hot, you start blowing on it.

- you are a very cautious baby.  you want to make sure things are safe first.

- you say, "2, 3, 4 and 6" when we point to those numbers.

- you went to the Dallas Science Museum for the first time.

- had your first donut (non-iced cake donut).

- you started counting, "2, 3, 6, 4"

- you're in size 5 diapers

- you love to point out stop signs and say, "sss" "sss" and then proceeds to spell it, "t o p" "top!"

- you are now allowed to watch a real movie besides your Baby Einstein movies.  And you love the movie Open Season about the bear and the deer.

- you love to make a bear noise, "Roooarr."

- you know to hold our hands when we say, "Let's say our prayer."  we say a prayer before every meal at home and out in public.

- you like pretty much all foods, but your favorites lately are avocados, bananas, sour cream, cookies, cereal, strawberries, mango and blueberries

- you wear size 8/9 shoes.

- you wear size 24/2T shirts and shorts

- you are 35 inches

You are an incredible son.  

We love you beyond infinity.

Your Hopelessly-In-Love-With-You Parents,

Dada and Momma

Hello 22 Month Old Boston

Dear Boston James,
         What a month it's been.  Momma and dada had a great time taking a short trip down to Austin just after the 4th of July holiday, but we missed you terribly.  We were very happy to be back home and with you.  Fortunately, you were able to stay in our home so you could sleep in your own bed each night.  Your Abby and G-paw stayed with you part of the time, and your Grammy and Grandaddy stayed with you the other part.  That was a great thing, because it allowed you to spend good time with them and it let them experience what it's like to be around you day and night.  As we expected, you continued to grow and learn throughout this past month.  God has done such an amazing job building you into a real masterpiece.  We remain as proud as can be that you are our son.

         This month, you:

*  you taught yourself how to skip.

*  you love to get on the floor and roll down the hall.  ha.

*  you had cheetos for the first time.

*  your new words are, "bus" very clearly, "choo choo" when you see a train and you motion a choo choo with your arm, "see?" when you want to show us something, "where's dada?" when dada is playing hide and seek with you.  Every time dada gets on the right side of your crib and looks through space between the crib and the wall, you run to the left side of your crib, crawl under the giraffe (every single time) and then peak through the space between the wall and the crib so you can see dada (this has become your nightly ritual before you go to bed).

*  your new favorite thing to do is jump with both feet.

*  you climbed out of your crib for the first time!

*  you have started to put your legs through your shorts when getting dressed.

*  you know to hold our hands when we pray.

*  you love to turn on the faucet and wash your hands.  and then dry your hands with the towel.

*  you mastered coming down the stairs all by yourself holding on to the rails.

*  you celebrated your 2nd 4th of July!

*  you love to throw balls.

*  you love to jump up and land completely on your bottom.  ha

*  you always say, "bye bye, dada and bye bye, momma!" before you go to sleep.  it's the cutest thing ever.

*  you had a hot dog for the first time.

*  you got to visit the local splash pad.

*  you attended story time with momma all month.

*  you visited the children's museum.

*  started to say, "tay uh" aka thank you.

*  you learned to blow bubbles.

*  you often pick up our cellphones, put it to your ear and say, "eo" aka hello.

*  you stay "bebe" aka baby when you see a baby.

*  you now point to A, B, C, D, O and S and say the letters.  

*  you mastered steering your cars while riding on them.  you know when they need to be turned before running into a wall.

You Keep Us Smiling,

We Love You Dearly,

Your Proud Parents.