Growing Up—29 & 30 months

Dear Gideon,

A couple of weeks ago you turned 30 months old. Which means you have officially passed the two and a half year mark. How the hell did that happen? Just the other day I was looking at pictures from when you were just weeks old. You as a tiny baby seems like just a moment ago and at the same time forever. Somehow, in a fleeting moment, I have become the mother of a full-fledged toddler. And I love you more than I have ever loved anything. You have days when you can be a real challenge—but you’re 2.5, that’s normal. You are becoming independent—I get that. Sometimes that independent personality lands you in timeout. Even so, right now you are the perfect age. I know I say that every month but it’s true. You just keep getting better and better.

28 months—August 29, 2009

I can honestly say you are one of my favorite people to hang out with.

Talking to you is lots of fun these days. You know and understand so much that we now have actual conversations. One day we were watching Bob the Builder together and you looked at me and said, “That guy has a beard and a mustache. That’s funny, Mom.” I have no idea why you thought it was so funny but I made you say it again because the way you said mustache was hilarious. Mus-stay-shh.

Just as good is the way you say “I love you, Mommy.” (or Daddy) without being prompted. There is nothing funny about it, just pure bliss. If I pick up my keys or my purse you ask, “Where you going, Mommy?”  If I get into the linen closet you ask, “Are you gonna take a shower?” When you get up in the morning you ask for two things—something to drink and if you can “watch a little PBS”.

Like I said, we talk like two people having a normal conversation.

30 months—October 1, 2009

Every month I try to think of the cute things you do and the milestones you reach so I can tell you about them in these letters. But time seems to be moving at mach speed and the days are all blending together. I really need to write things down when they happen so I don’t forget. I know you played your Dad’s trumpet for the first time in these last couple of months—and you were pretty good at it. I know you’ve been boycotting the potty—but I’m not sure why. I know you told your Daddy he was your best friend. I know the other day you hung off my leg as I walked out the door because you didn’t want me to go to work.

I  know that you are ridiculously smart.
You are incredibly cute.
You are kind and loving.
You teach me so much about myself.
You are becoming such a big boy,  but you will always be my baby.

And I know without a doubt, that you are growing up too fast.

Love,
Mommy