The Helfer Family: James at Two and a Half {Part 2}

Our new nighttime routine is to take a bath around 7:00 then, get in your jammies.

You get to watch TV or a movie then, you and I read some books before Daddy takes you up for reading and bed. This is my favorite time with you. You feel so refreshed after an early bath, and I love snuggling with my clean baby in jammies. Daddy and I both do.

On this particular night, you stalled bedtime by reading the Bible. It was brilliant.

You definitely have some tricks up your sleeve. And I have to admit, it’s often hard for me to keep a straight face.

‘Using your words’ is bittersweet. It means less crying and hitting, but not all your words are pretty. And you LOVE to act. Especially when you have an audience. At the grocery store one day, you were sitting in the cart when a couple walked by you. You quickly waived your hands in a forward rolling motion, and yelled “whoa, I fall down!!” They were not convinced.

You sometimes say things like “I’m saaaaad” with your chin tucked down and bottom lip out. I reply, “are you sad, buddy? Or are you pretending?” I take it seriously, because I am thankful that you are finally communicating emotion! You’ll laugh and say “I tending!”

You now give threats, like “I gonna cry.” Or when I put you in your crib for a nap, “I gonna jump out!” {And then when I close the door, you immediately lay down unaware of our video monitor.}

You think you’re the funniest when you quickly steal my seat after I get up. You love to be tickled and called “a little seat stealer!” You giggle, giggle, giggle then, say “Do it again?”

Your favorite joke is wiping kisses off. Every time you are kissed, you pretend to wipe it off, and you laugh, laugh, laugh.

I never know what you’re going to say. In the picture below, Me: “James I don’t think that’s a good idea, honey.” James: “It’s a great idea.”

After my Aunt and Uncle babysat, Me: “What did you do today with Aunt Beth and Uncle David?” James: “Aunt Bef and Unc Day take a baf.” Me: “Oh really?” I found that VERY hard to believe.

I realized a bit later that you were asking if they could be the ones to bathe you, as it was almost bath time when we talked. That’s quite the compliment, as you always request Mommy baths. {Looking like your Daddy in this picture.}

You are all boy. You’re a ham.

I’ve said since you were a baby that you are strong-willed like Mommy, with Daddy’s high-intensity level. It’s quite a combination. And since you were three days old at your first doctor’s appointment, you still have people comment on how strong you are. Doctors, your swimming coach, friends of the family, and even I feel like you are getting too strong for me! Something I didn’t think I would say for another 12 years.

The other day, we were holding hands, walking down the stairs, and I said “James, I love you so much. I love you more than anything in the whole world. You know that, buddy? You and Daddy are my best friends.” You actually stopped halfway down the stairs and sat on the step to listen. You hugged me then stood up, and continued down the stairs. It’s this unhurried style that often makes me feel impatient, but also melts my heart. And reminds me to slow down, stop thinking about the next thing, and cherish the moment. That’s right, baby boy, I learn from you.

My 31st birthday

James, you are my life. On our good days and bad, we’re always in it together.

I am so blessed that Daddy lets us stay home together. We often ~~desperately~~ fill our eleven hour days with randomness. Like indoor camping and forts,

driving cars through snow {aka shaving cream}

and lots and lots of pool days.

I’d be lying if I said that we didn’t turn the TV on daily.

And that around 5:00, I often can’t wait for Daddy to get home.

But I’m already feeling sentimental that next year you are required to go to preschool five mornings a week.

Someone once told me “they’re yours until they go to school.” I know you’ll always be mine {until you get a wife, but I can’t even think about that!}, but I also know I will miss our mornings of just us.

Early one morning when you had pink eye. You woke up saying “Uh oh, my eyes is hurtin’. James needs sungwasses.” I called the pediatrician as soon as they opened.

You are LOVING your friends these days. We went from fighting over toys and parallel play to sharing with friends and cousins,