My son is turning two next week, and I couldn’t be happier about it. I know some people approach the “terrible two” stage with apprehension, or sweet lament over the baby days long past. Not this mama. Not with this intelligent, amazing, hysterical little boy that I have the pleasure of sharing my existence with. He is a pure growing miracle.

It’s hard to believe that last year at this time, he wasn’t walking or talking. He was still taking a bottle and a pacifier. He was still mostly napping twice a day. Was that my little boy? Was he ever really a baby?

Besides all of the normal wishes and dreams for one’s child, one thing I’ve always really hoped is that Andrew will acquire a great sense of humor. I love Funny. I grew up around Funny. One of the best compliments that I ever hear is “You’re so funny!” I’m not asking for class clown – just thoughtful wit. I love laughter, LOVE it, and can’t imagine a day without it. Fortunately, not a day goes by when my son doesn’t make me laugh. It is truly a funny age, and whenever people ask me “How’s your son?” I reply, “Funny.” What a crack-up he is, in all of his toddlery earnestness. What a delight.

Some other notes about this kid as he goes from “almost-two” to “TWO!”.

- He is happiest when his environment is clean and tidy and organized. He likes things in their rightful places, drawers closed, lights turned off, garbage in the can with the lid shut. He is a neat eater and dislikes messes, spills, or goo on his hands. If he happens to color on his hand with a marker, it bothers him the rest of the day that he can see marker streaks on his skin (no matter how many times we wash his hands). He prefers schedules and routines (as do most children) and just like his daddy, would rather oil the machine than put a wrench in.

- He is just starting to put together multiple words in “Andrew-style sentences”. His vocabulary continues to expand rapidly and 90% of his words are clear as a bell. I absolutely love watching him use new words in context and apply concepts to situations. The neurology/psychology nerd in me is in seventh heaven. The human brain is so amazing.

- I thought I married the person with the best memory on earth, but I think his son might give him a run for his money.

- Andrew LOVES his daddy. Right now his world is all about “dada”. He’s never exhibited any particular attachment to his mama, but dada is a-ok with him. It’s awesome.

- Andrew is exactly the boy, in personality and temperament and yes even looks, that I brought home from the hospital two years ago. It’s so much fun to see his personality tidbits revealed and look back in retrospect to see how those things started to come out.

- He enjoys music and gets upset if I turn off the radio when we’re in the car. He still LOVES when I sing to him. It still quiets and calms him, like it did when he was a tiny guy. What do I usually sing? Tiny Bubbles, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, Once Upon a Dream (our song), NYC (from the musical Annie), Silent Night, any of the numerous songs I’ve made up over these two years (he finishes the lines now), and whatever else comes to my head. I heard him singing “Twinkle Twinkle” to himself under his breath today. Please, please let him be a music lover like his mama.

- And a book lover like his mama. He loves books. Loves loves loves. Always has. Hopefully always will. Especially poems!! Oh, a child after my own heart.

I will add to this list as I think of things over the next few weeks. I want to also include a little “stats” list that I partly borrowed from Jess, as I think these are quite pertinent and fun!

Weight & height: Not official yet, but according to our home measurements, about 31 pounds and 34.5 inches.
Favorite foods: Anything to drink: milk, water, juice, tea, eggnog, soda, etc. If it comes in a drinkable form, it’s acceptable. The only fruits he’ll eat right now are kiwi, pineapple, and oranges. He really likes broccoli and carrots. He will always eat cheese. And he tends to dislike “messy” things, including ketchup, syrup, and other dip-like foods. Has gotten quite good at eating with a fork and spoon in the past few months!
Favorite shows: Backyardigans, Dora, Diego, Baby Einstein, Raffi, Jane & the Dragon, Frosty the Snowman, Pooh
Favorite toys: Legos, crayons/markers, cars & trucks, balls, kitchen stuff, anything outside
Favorite books: Any nursery rhymes or poems, First Words, Duck & Goose, all Sandra Boynton books
Clothes: size 2T-3T clothes, size 7 shoes, size 5 diapers
Favorite recent words & phrases: “happen here?”, “pick up it”, “candy cane” (sounds like “caycane”), “whoops”, “left foot!”, finishing the last words of lines in songs