You had quite the year - You learned how to talk and moved into a big boy bed.
You became a big brother and are undoubtedly the best one a baby girl could ask for. Sweet, caring and protective - You make us so proud. My heart melts every time I look in my rearview mirror and see you holding her hand or hear you say, "It's okay, Hayden. I right here."
You love cars (especially 'broken' ones), tow trucks, fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, garbage trucks, bulldozers/backhoes/mini loaders, and trains - You can play with any and all for hours. If you see one outside, your day is complete. (You also know more makes and models of cars than your Daddy!). You LOVE to run, screaming "Chase me!" as you go. You love to play hide-n-seek, telling others where to go and where to find you. You're getting more creative with your imagination, and are picking up coloring, painting, and other crafts.
You used to be scared and shy around other kids, especially at playgrounds. Now, you hope for 'buddies' to arrive and are the first one to share your sand toys or initiate a game of tag.
You are stubborn, opinionated and too smart for your own good. These traits tend to get you in a lot of battles with Daddy and you'll soon learn he's the boss.
You never stop talking, ask endless questions and have a memory that floors us daily.
We love the sound of your giggle. You have quite the sense of humor and your observations/comments are fabulous. I try and remember them, and want to kick myself for all that I've forgotten.
A few:
When you saw Ben Rothlisberger on ESPN and called him Mr. Potato Head.
We were at the hotel near Disneyland and you were watching a show where kids are gardening and saying their favorite food - You heard "I like carrots." "I like green beans." Your response? "I like chips."
Any vehicle with a light on it, whether it's a construction dump truck or City of San Diego pick-up truck, you consider it a 'police truck.' The San Diego Police Department's mobile command center is a 'police food truck" or 'police ice cream truck' depending on the day.
Pizza delivery cars are 'pizza taxis'
Counting stop signs we drew on our front porch with chalk - "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven! There are five stop signs."
I told you Grandpa was coming for Christmas and asked what you wanted to get him - "A Christmas tree and 3 lights."
Homer Simpson - "D'oh!" Cole - "Domp!"
You'll yell "Weak sauce!!" if we have a bad High-5 or throw
"Take a High-5" when you want recognition for a job well done.
Mazdas - 'Super cars' Mini Coopers - 'Mini Poopers'
When asked how old you are - "Ten!"
When asked how old you are again - "Cole!"
When asked how old you are again - "Anetti!"
We'll get there.
Favorites:
TV Shows - Max & Ruby, Team Umizoomi, Dora
Foods - plain noodles, chicken nuggets, orange or white yogurt, raisins, bananas, waffles, toast, peanut butter bread, mac-n-cheese and pizza (pretty much ALL you'll eat)
Restaurant - Souplantion or 'Noodle Store'
Songs - Wheels on the Bus, ABCs, song you made up "Fire truck, do Do DO!"
I want to remember every bit of you at this stage. Two was good to us. We had a rough two weeks when we brought your sister home, but otherwise we wouldn't change a thing. Okay, so maybe we'd install a mute button at times... But in all seriousness, you are the absolute best. We adore you. You're our everything. Happy Birthday, Cole.
Love,
Mama
p.s. We've been told 3 is tough, so we're going to hold on tight!
