To Luke (2 years)

Last year for my son's birthday, I wrote him a little something from his mommy. I want to do the same for him this year, as he turns two, to let him know everything I love about him.

To Luke on your second birthday,
I cannot believe how fast time is flying. It feels as if you were just born last week, but here you are, walking, talking, laughing, climbing, jumping, and developing into a little boy! I can definitely tell you're a little boy because of the things you love the most right now: trucks, trains, planes, mowers, tractors, boats, cars, basically anything that drives.

The way your little brain works amazes me. You are always learning a new word or phrase and it seems like every day you are able to do or say something new, like climbing and going down stairs by yourself, eating new foods, understanding who certain people are in your life, and learning colors, shapes, counting, and noises things make.

Some things you love to do are "race" daddy around the house or in the backyard, help daddy mow, go for Jeep rides with Grammy and Papa, go to camp with Grandma and Grandpa, dance, watch Cars and Cars 2, drive your cars, trucks, and tractors around, ride around in your green car outside, go to the park with your best friend Anniston, be around people, go to Home Depot to "ride" the tractors, swim in the bathtub, help me sweep by dumping the dust pan into the trash, slide and swing, play games on my phone, blow bubbles, drink chocolate milk, ride bikes, say "cheese" for pictures, play in the sand box, go to the library, eat fruit snacks, and see animals at the zoo.

I love everything about you! You're my little man and you make me so incredibly happy. You are almost always happy, obedient, and loving. You've started giving BIG hugs recently and I love that! You love your baby brother already and melt my heart every time you want to hug and kiss Sam without me prompting you. I love how when I ask if your drink is gone, you always say "almost," even if it's completely full or completely empty. I love that you love your daddy so much. Everyday you watch him leave for work by looking out the window. You recognize the sound of his car when he gets home from work and drop everything you're doing to race to the back door and wait for him. I love that you want to rock before you go to bed. I love that if we forget to pray at meal times, you remind us by squinting your eyes closed and hunching over and saying "Mama" or "Dad." I love that you say "love you" to us, but it comes out more like "luh lu." I love how handsome you looked in both weddings you were in this year, Uncle Brad and Aunt Holly's and Evan and Danielle's. I love how much of a character you are, and that's why I call you a "ham." I love how you aren't afraid to do anything, and that accounts for the many scrapes and bruises you've had in your short 2 year life. I love your curly, blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

Your personality is joyful, sociable, impulsive, a little devious, brave, clever, friendly, funny, and silly. I always tell people you have one speed and one volume: fast and loud. You never stop moving, unless you are asleep, and it wears me out, but I wouldn't change that for the world! You are a blessing to me!

Love you Buster,
Mommy

Pictures from 1-2 years (not in any particular order)