Happy Birthday, Hugmonkey

*Yeah, that says "Hugmonkey", not "ChunkyMonkey" or one of the great names people suggested. It occurred to me yesterday. It suits him. 


Dear Hugmonkey,

     Today you are 2. It seems like only a few moments ago that I was cuddling you in my hospital room and now you are walking and talking - not to mention climbing and yelling. I love that you have so much to say and how when the whole family is talking, you just jump right in whether we can understand you or not. I love that you pretty much started talking in simple sentences (No touch Daddy, hot! and I sit mine being some of your earliest) from the get go. But it's your smiles and hugs that enchant family and strangers alike.

     You like to give hugs almost as much as you like to get them, which is really sweet. But nothing beats your smile, even after you've thrown some Hot Wheels cars into the toilet. Maybe especially after. Anyway, right now you LOVE cars. You always want to ride in the car and playing cars with your big brother is probably your favorite thing in the world to do. Followed closely by playing trains with your siblings.

     How you love your siblings. You ask for them when they're at school and can be comforted by them after a fall. More than anything you want to do what they do, from playing with Leapsters to brushing your own teeth. I often think that your biggest and loudest (and boy, do you know how to scream) tantrums come from not being able to do what they can do. But please don't rush it, my Hugmonkey - you're great just the way you are.
                                                          I'm so proud to be your mommy. I love you,
                                                                     Mommy