5.26.2008

Hello, Two

Although we may not quite be chronologically greeting this second year, we are definitely greeting it mentally, socially, and developmentally. Let me just give you some "for examples"...

Oh the days of, "I can do it myself": Cole no longer needs help putting shoes on, getting from point A to point B, opening and closing doors, or even successfully singing about wise and foolish men or little Christian lights. Please do not try to participate in these activities. He is quite big enough to do them on his own.

My, how our relationships have changed: Sometimes Cole is in the mood for friends. Sometimes he is not. He will make it very clear to you if he is not in the friend kind of mood by holding up one finger and sternly blurting out the word, "NO!" If he finds that you must be reminded of his mood, he will do so, sometimes over and over and over.

Mom doesn't always know best: The days of believing this falsity are long gone. Sometimes her warnings can be heeded. Often times, they need not receive attention.

Which parent will give me the answer I'm looking for? How, may I ask, at this stage in life does my little half-pint know that if Mom doesn't respond favorably to what he's doing, checking with Dad may be a brilliant strategy? Luckily he hasn't come to the realization that the best approach to this method is to ask Dad only when he doesn't know what Mom's original response was.


My, what a large vocabulary we have! Everyday Cole has more new words on his list of things to say. Not only can he repeat what Mom says at the drive through window ("milk, chips, thank you"), he can also forecast weather ("sunny, rain, windy"), identify body parts ("tummy, fingers, hair"), discuss matters of hygiene ("shampoo, brush, jam" [as in toe-jam, which is an important daily task]), discuss what he sees in the car ("motorcycle, digger, mailman, window"), and use his words to request attention ("Mom, wook [look]!" "My daddy! Ewww!")

While this hint of two is definitely challenging us, we're loving it just the same as 6 months, 12 months, and 15 months. Check with us again later, though, and we may be singing a slightly different tune. I can definitely understand why it is so often said that two is the first glimpse at what kids are like as teenagers.

7 comments:

Terri said...

Oh, you have hit the toe jam phase early, huh? Sorry bout' that. Promise I haven't had Allison talking w/ Cole. It's funny how soon they develop a mind of their own. At 7:15 a.m. this morning, not even out of the bed, Allison's first request.... I want to go to the mall and get myself a birthday cake! Love the pic of Cole in the turtle.

Carla said...

Love the pictures. It is so funny how they can come up with these things at such an early age in their life, I wonder where they pick it up from.

Deaton, party of 5 said...

Don't you just LOVE the independent spirit of a 2 year old. Miles has certainly entered that phase also--actually it started with him at 15 months. I have NO perils of wisdom in this category except to say that go through numerous phases which will pass. Great post and photos!

Katy said...

Kate - I enjoyed spending time with Cole on Sunday night. He has a special joy in the small things that often we adults don't have. I loved watching him get so excited about knocking over carebear dominos that I had stacked up for him. I can't wait to spend more time with Cole and get to know you both better!

Anonymous said...

You have to be careful, he has the skin of gilbert. You may want to minimize his sun exposure time. I miss you guys and cole!

Valerie said...

What a cutie pie! Love the new pics. I am scared for Zoe to enter the "terrible twos" phase! She's already very sassy.

Jeanne said...

He is such a doll! He hasn't spilled a gallon of paint in the kitchen floor yet, has he??? (referring to "Jack Attack" http://smallingworld.blogspot.com/2007/08/jack-attack.html on Melanie's blog) If not, he's doing pretty well for almost two! :)

Yep, they can be trying times with lots of good times and not-so-good times in your future with him.

It passes very, very quickly, if that's any consolation...

Love, Jeanne