A Most Happy Day

Today, it's his turn to take center stage... as much as he can, anyway. He deserves the spotlight and the attention and all the happy birthdays. Two is a big deal, I think. It's when you really cross over into big-kid land -- when you're allowed to, and very much want to, participate in things that you weren't really welcome to before. Everyone makes a big deal about turning one -- as they should, it's exciting -- but approach the third year with so much caution, gearing up for a challenging time with the ill-conceived "terrible twos" looming. Not me. I love two and always have (and whoever decided that two was terrible apparently hadn't experienced three. Oh vey). Sure, there are lots of trying times and big emotions but it's so exciting. It's not a picnic-a-day sort of exciting but it's a gift to watch these little people try on all these big ideas and feelings, yet be so transparent and generous with their emotions. They still invite you to their party, to bear witness to their triumphs and travails, even as they want to try to do everything themselves. It's certainly a time for readjustment for moms and dads (and siblings), especially if they have gotten used to having a laid back, funny bunny, eager tag-a-long, but it's not a time I would trade for the world (except when we have to go grocery shopping and to the post office. I am willing to give those precious moments to someone else). In short, two is cool.

I love watching Jack start to own his space. He loves to, and is willingly subjected to, Molly's games and imaginings. He comes back for more no matter how many times he is unceremoniously booted out of the game once she's had enough of him or when her whim dictates. And in return?  He makes nary a peep but man, can he push her buttons. He can strike with surgical precision to bring on a full force squeal/scream/loud protestation. And he knows it. He knows what he is capable of. I have a hard time helping them sort things out without laughing because it's just so apparent that he has her number. He rarely goes too far, unless he's tired or hungry, but can go just far enough to get some sort of outsized reaction. He also has a trick or two up his sleeve for me some days... I won't lie. But, thankfully, he keeps his plotting restrained and more than being devilish, he loves to be social -- not in a show off sort of way but in a really happy, ambassador-for-fun sort of way. School has been a really fun adventure and he's completely embraced being a part of his class. It took Jack a few weeks of school to embrace his Bumblebee membership but now he owns it with pride. He flaps his wings, makes his buzz buzz sound, and sings his goodbye song with gusto... and plays at the train table for the other 95% of class. It surprised me, how much he loved being a part of this group but he sure does. Trains do dominate his life although he generously makes time for fire trucks, construction vehicles, cars, garbage trucks, "scoo busssss" (school buses), and "itty bussss" (city buses), too. Oh, and men. He loves men. Loves them. When a dad works in his classroom or is at the playground, Jack is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. He hugs, climbs on his back, leads him by the hand -- he is completely drawn to dudes (which has caused some consternation among some of his lady classmates who are rather protective of their dads).

Although the fight in him can be strong, he rarely gets bent out of shape. He has a lot of typical second-child characteristics -- which makes for a nice compliment to his rather alpha sister. He thinks he is funny but doesn't feel the need to make everyone around him laugh. As long as he's laughing, he's pretty happy. He is a watcher and a learner, rather than throwing himself headlong into everything. He soaks in a lot of information that I am unaware he is soaking in until it comes back to bite me in some way, shape, or form. He is mischievous, that one, and enjoys a cruising altitude that is just under the radar. This can be unfortunate because he is fascinated by computers, phones, remotes, radios, whatever technology you are silly enough to leave within his reach.

There's so much to my Buddha Belly boy but I feel like I have a hard time adequately capturing him in stories or adjectives. More than anything, he is a warm fuzzy feeling, a sweet snuggle, a big belly laugh, and now, since he's two, a little bit of spice. I hope that the silly monkey in him lives forever, that his generous spirit serves him well, and that he continues to give as much love (for trains or dads or whatever) as he serves up today. And, I hope he stops pulling out every envelope and mailing label at the post office. Please.


The birthday morning started out well -- who doesn't love a candle in his waffle?

Let's just say that I was not going near that spit-soaked waffle after a few rounds of blowing out the candle with no success. Luckily, back-up was right there and chomping at the bit to help out... 

Now, with two of them going at it, there was really no way I was sharing in that waffle/germ fest. Thankfully, I hadn't left them all on the same plate.

With that out of the way, Jack got to choose one present to open at breakfast. It's a good thing he chose this one so that...

he could, once again, receive some assistance from his aide-de-camp.

who was the first one to embrace and announce:

Super Jack!

new cape modeled by big sister. Thanks Stockwells!