8:53 AM

Nate at 8:53 AM, February 01, 2012. Exactly two years old.

• • • • • • •

For Nate, my first:

Two years ago at this exact time you were born. A year ago, you were standing and crawling. You and your brother already had a few words under your belt, like "up" and "apple" and "baby". Of course, there were also some made-up words – the dibba-days and numma-nays – things I thought were baby babbles at the time, but have since come to realize are words that you and your brother have ascribed real meaning to. They are words all your own and since this post will likely be peppered with them I felt a need to caveat this part until I have time to write a proper post about cryptophasia, also known as twin-speak.

At two, you love to run and jump. You surprised me a little when you turned out to be my climber, but it turns out you're really quite good at it and haven't given me too many heart-stopping moments (yet).

You are also my chatterbug. Even though you and your brother are well-matched in terms of your vocabulary, you are more interested in talking and probably as a result articulate very well when you aren't upset.

I say that last part only because you have been known to enjoy the theatrics here and there. Everyone that knows you well will be at least a little surprised if drama isn't one of your favorite past-times in school. You've always excelled at making real tears, even when you aren't really very sad and you have a smile that lights up a room. I always know when you are really sad though because when it's legit you make Square-Mouth*. If you were playing poker, this would be your "tell".

At two, you are very much the life of the party and are the driving force behind most of the shenanigans and made-up games around here, although you share equally with your brother in the naming of things.

Your favorite game to play with Mommy is "10 kisses". You love to give kisses and are also down with your numbers, so it's a fun way to incorporate both. I know I love this game, but you invented it. Also, it tends to run way past 10 kisses for the most part, but that's just what we call it. So far your record is 44 kisses and you counted out each and every one of them (with only a little coaching once we'd hit 20).

Your favorite things to do (outside of 10 Kisses and whatever Seth is up to) include taking things apart to see how they work, finding things to climb, "abbets" and "numbahs", "reading" upside down, being upside down, and faking injuries for the kisses that are in it. You are the purveyor of bonks*, chewnits*, torn-its*, boons*, kai-ai's*, pah-guts* and wu-fu's*.

You still love your drum and swaying to a beat or song. You enjoy making art, but mostly on yourself.

Your favorite color is orange and your favorite number is 6. You still use both hands equally to do everything. You are learning to be a good helper and you especially enjoy helping with laundry. You surprised me last night when I asked for help tidying up the nursery so we could have stories before bed. It was kind of a first, but then you really love your stories – especially Snuggle Puppy, which oddly enough ends up with a big smooch at the end.

Big smooches to you today, Nate. I hope you have the happiest of happy birthdays.

All my love,
Mommy