Dear Tyler -- 2 years olds

Dear Tyler,

It seems like just yesterday you were this tiny little thing who used to curl up on my chest and sleep the day away. Now you are a running, jumping, singing, dancing happy little two-year-old boy. And you are every bit as sweet now as you were then (other than when you are kicking and screaming on the kitchen floor throwing a tantrum of course!)

Every day it seems you are doing or learning something new. You are talking in full sentences now. You substitute "L" for "S" so things like "lit down" and "I no lee it" might not be understandable to everyone but they are to me. We had our first snowstorm last week and the first words out of your mouth when I opened the curtains were, "I no lee no lowman."

The other morning I woke up to a loud thud. I ran to your room and threw open your door and there you were standing right there smiling and saying, "Hi mom." You had climbed out of your crib! I thought it might have been a fluke but you did it again the next morning. You were SO proud of yourself. You even got back it to show Vivi and I how you did it. You just threw your leg up over the top and pulled yourself right over and out. So we spent the morning making your big boy bed and practicing. Avery pretended to read you stories and tuck you in. You loved it! When it came time for naptime though, you didn't really understand that you actually had to sleep in your bed. But by nighttime you had figured it out. It's been about 3 or 4 successful days and nights now in your big boy bed so we took apart your crib today. You are officially a big boy!

Daddy and I gave you a toolbench for your birthday. You are obsessed with it. You love your tools more than anything. Sometimes you even sleep with your hammer or screwdriver. I think it's funny that your daddy was cursing his tools putting yours together. I'm not sure your love of tools comes from your father.

Your love of sports comes from your daddy though! You started your first sports class this week and you LOVED it. You were so proud to tell everyone you played soccer. You tried so hard to follow your teacher's directions but you got a little confused here and there. He told you to stand on your yellow circle. So you brought your yellow circle with you everywhere you went. Even when it was your turn to score a goal you had your yellow circle in hand. You are just too darn cute!

Halloween got postponed this year due to the big storm that knocked out all the power in our town. So we went trick-or-treating last night on your birthday. You thought it was all for you. You got the hang of ringing the doorbell and saying "trick-or-treat" but the very next words out of your mouth every single time were "open it". You just couldn't wait. As I pick through the candy stash now I see a lot of them have teeth marks through the wrapper. You love your candy.

Some other things you love these days -- doggies, Nana Pat's jam, Elmo, your lovey and blankie, firetrucks, cars, playing outside, vacuuming, getting your haircut, your playroom, cake, ice cream and anything sweet, your boots, wrestling with Daddy and your big sister. Things you hate -- broccoli, eggs and washing your face.

You are a true joy in every way and I love you more and more each day. Your smile truly lights up a room and your laugh is the sweetest sound I have ever heard in my life. You are such a wonderful little boy.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Avery -- 3 years old

Dear Avery (or Vivi as your brother calls you),

Today is your 3rd birthday. Where has the time gone? You are no longer a baby and barely a toddler. You are a full-grown 3-year-old child. And I love you more and more each day.

For your birthday you got a red balance bike from Nana Pat & Poppy, a sand table and hello kitty bathrobe from Nana & Papa, 5 new movies from Grammie & Zayde, and a dollhouse and soccer ball from me & Daddy. Of course you loved everything. When I asked which was your favorite your answer was "all". This morning we went to an indoor play place and bounced, climbed and slid all morning long. Daddy and I had just as much fun as you and your brother.

You are bouncing down the stairs in your new robe right now with your hair dripping wet, fresh from your tub asking both to be fed and to sit on my lap. Must finish later...

Ok, I bought myself a little more time while I make your requested birthday dinner (hot dogs & pasta with butter) by putting on your requested show (Calliou) and giving you and Tyler your requested snack (frozen waffle -- yes you love them frozen).

Let's see, things you love these days -- Dora, dolls, books, painting, play do, imaginary play, chicken nuggets, cake, ice cream, swinging, running, singing, dancing, going to school, getting your haircut and cuddling in. Things you hate -- getting your hair washed, waiting for anything, tags on your clothes and most vegetables. Oh and sleeping past 5am (yes, you are still up multiple times a night.)

You started school a few weeks ago and you love it. Your teachers are Mrs. Donahue and Mrs. Glaser. You love going and are SO exhausted when you come home. Those are your longest nap days. You love singing your ABC's and recently told Daddy that you want to dance to that song with him at your wedding. He might just hold you to it. You do get J and K mixed up but it's so cute the way you sing it that I haven't really tried to correct you too much. You've gotten really good at counting and can get to about 12 without getting mixed up. I think that's pretty good! You can identify almost all of the letters and sounds and are very interested in what things spell. You also know all of your shapes (even oval and crescent!), your colors, days of the week (in no particular order) and months of the year. Recently you were at a Ms. Madgical show at the gym and another mom said to me "Your daughter knew is was September, wow!!!" I told her it was because your birthday was this month but really it's just because you are so smart!! I am amazed by you every single day.

Daddy and I think you are going to be an athlete. You certainly are built like one. You are so tall and strong and solid. Sometimes we run the track at the gym. You love it but your brother sometimes tries to run the elevator instead so we don't do it too often anymore. But a few weeks ago you ran a whole mile!!!! 15 full laps around that track. I was SO PROUD of you. My 3-year-old track star. Some day you'll get to run in a real race, I promise.

You have filled me with more joy in the last 3 years than I ever could have imagined. I will spend the rest of my life trying to repay you for that. I love you so much my sweet girl. Happy Birthday.

Love,

Mommy