2 Year Old Boy; 23 Weeks Along with Baby Girl!

Dear Maximus,

Hey little guy! You are two years old. What?! Where has the time gone?! It passed so fast, but it also feels as though we've always had you in our lives. You never cease to amaze us with how adorable, smart and funny you are. Each day is full of wonderful moments with you that I only wish we could document and keep forever. It is impossible to save everything but we've got plenty of pictures, videos and, of course, our memories. Soon you won't be this tiny little guy anymore but you'll be someone else and we'll love you every step of the way. We can't wait to see who you become. We already love your little personality. It is exciting, and a little bittersweet, to watch how you change and grow.

You are getting so strong and independent; so adventurous and knowledge-seeking. You want to "go go" all the time. We're going to have to track down some free events and activities and places to take you to so you can keep learning and having fun!  We went to the children's museum on April 1st. It was a free day so it was jam-packed with people everywhere. We couldn't explore the big kid exhibits without you getting stepped on so we stayed in the baby room. You were completely happy there! It is for kids 6 months old to 4 years, and no shoes are allowed. You crawled around, climbed things, went down slides, explored tunnels and hugged four little girls. You were quite the ladies man! So well behaved and polite compared to many of the other kids. You freely shared toys with others while you had a few toys rudely taken from you, but you didn't seem to mind. You were just so fascinated and entertained by the room and the other babies!

On April 6th, you finally used the potty for #2. Slowly but surely you are getting used to the potty. Sometimes you will even tell me when you have to go, and other times you're just trying to trick me into giving you the bonbon reward whether you go or not. You're a sneaky one!  We also went to the doctor again to do a weight check-up but those nurses never seem to get accurate data so since you lost weight and shrunk in height, we aren't really sure how much you really grew from last time. The doctor really likes you though and thinks you're doing well. She just wants to see you put on a few more pounds. Right now all of your calories and weight gains are going straight to your head. You're developing very well in all areas but height and weight. You may just need to be a small little genius.

On the 12th, your Gramma and Grandpa came to visit. We played on a playground, we went to the mall and you got some toys and played with a ball with grandpa, we went to a little dinosaur museum to see bones, and we went out to eat a couple times. You really liked them and let them hold you almost the whole time!  In the past, you'd refuse to go with anyone but mama or papa, so this was a pretty good milestone. You rode on grandpa's shoulders and went exploring places with Gramma. When they had to leave, you were very upset about it and cried and refused to say goodbye so that they'd have to stay longer.

 We were playing in short sleeves at the park two days ago and today it is far too cold and snowy to go anywhere. But when we were at the park, we got some pictures of you and mama so we could officially reveal your baby sister's gender. You would not cooperate well though. Sitting still for a picture is no fun at all when there are slides and swings around!  But we managed to get a couple shots as you can see here.

What else? You still love bathtime and must have plenty of toys to play with. You often line up your toys on the edge of the tub and we'll count them and then you'll knock them back into the water one by one. You like to play in your little room with mama and papa. You seem to love music lately and you like to dance around with toys. You're just so very happy all the time. You also like to run in circles around mama's footstool and we'll cheer for you (and any toy you're also carrying) "Go baby go! Go kitty go! Go Batman go!" You still like it when I sing the ABC song to you before you go to sleep. You really like "big cobija" and will go to sleep easily and sleep a long time.  For breakfast, you often request bacon and bagels!  At restaurants, you're all about ice and papitas.

You're getting very good at saying most words. In fact, you'll repeat almost everything we say whether we were talking to you or not. You're even starting to form 3-4 word sentences well. This is going to be a good summer! Then you'll have a little sister to play with and protect. I think you're going to be a very good big brother!

I love you!

Mama

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Dear Baby Girl,

Baby girl at 20 weeks

That's right, you're my little girl. It's so exciting. We have three names picked out but we're going to wait until you're born and we have a chance to meet you and hold you to decide. We're pretty sure we'll use all three, so you'll have two middle names. We just need to figure out which order we'll put them in. Assuming that we don't completely change our minds again by August. It could happen. That's why we're not ready to reveal a definitive choice yet.

The picture to the right is of you! It is so amazing that technology allows us to see such detailed photos while you're still in my belly. This was the best one that the doctor got. We cannot wait to see that little face in person! The doctor said you were 12 oz as of April 3rd and you're growing perfectly! Everything looks healthy and normal!

On March 31st, Papa was able to feel you kick for the first time! He hasn't been able to catch very many kicks since then though. You aren't moving a whole lot yet but soon enough I'm sure you will be!  I can often feel you moving but you have small subtle movements right now, as opposed to big kicks that other people can readily feel in time.

Your big brother turned two today and you turned 23 gestational weeks today! We're more than half way there! August is going to come really fast. I just hope I can survive the hot summer well enough!

Your grandma brought over a big bag full of baby clothes that I wore when I was little. There are several really pretty dresses in there! I have never really been all that girly myself but for some reason, I can not wait to dress you up! I promise to find a really adorable first outfit for you to wear!

We already love you so much, little girl! And your big brother is pretty great. He's going to love playing with you and teaching you things. I hope you two become the best of friends!

We can't wait for you to get here! Keep growing big!

Love you,

Mama