My Little Man is TWO!!!

Two years ago today, Jaren Michael decided to finally grace us with his presence. He decided to buck the trend the girls had set of coming EARLY and came one day before a scheduled induction to force him out. He was 8 lbs 4oz of attitude.

From the get go, I knew he was going to be different. He SCREAMED in the hospital. He was the baby that you hear from down the hallway and thank your lucky stars he isn't YOURS. I know that sounds horrible, but I remember thinking that after I had the girls and they would just squak when they were hungry and I could hear kids wailing in other rooms.

Most of you know it was a rocky start with him. Eight months of some difficult days and nights. Many "seasoned" moms told me that their children were like him, then they grew into the most delightful children. I remember hoping to high heaven that that would be the case. And lo and behold, it WAS. He is a true joy and I am so happy to have him around to make me smile.

Jaren is a true Frank Sinatra -- he wants to do things HIS WAY. From crawling, walking, talking, you name it. The ability had always been there, but until he had the desire, you weren't going to get it out of him. Once I figured that out and learned to relax I have really enjoyed watching him figure out this world around him.

Jaren loves music. He loves to dance, to sing, and to play with instruments.

He loves horses. He got to ride on a carousel and on a little 25 cent pony at the beach and he was in heaven. Once we got home he kept trying to chase poor Kramer around saying "Horsey, horsey." If Kramer was dumb enough to sit down, Jaren would try to hold him there and climb on his back.

Jaren is a great sleeper. When he gets tired he will grab his blanket and binkie out of the crib and that is our cue that it is naptime. He rarely puts up a fight at bedtime and really is a dream child in that respect.

He is a horribly picky eater. The only consistant things he will eat are waffles, cold cereal, pancakes (sensing a trend here?), spaghetti, spaghetti-os, pizza, chicken nuggets, chips, and mac and cheese. He likes most fruit but won't touch vegetables. The kid won't even eat cheese anymore. Or hotdogs. Whose child IS this, anyway???

Jaren loves to be outside. He likes the park and when we went for the first time this summer he climbed right up and went down the slide.

He gets SO excited when Daddy gets home from work.

He loves babies. At the pool yesterday he kept sitting right down by my friend Jenn who was holding her little girl and he would sidle right up and make eyes at her until she would put Josie in his lap. Then he would flirt with Josie. I think I'm in trouble.

He loves shoes. They don't have to be his.

He is a real talker now.

Happy Birthday, J-Man!!

(Oh, and I got a little collage of Joelle done, too. Go me!)