Lately, I have often commented to Cliff that Joshua is no longer a baby.  The truth is, he hasn’t been a baby for a long time now.  It just takes me a long time to get used to the idea that the little baby I held in my arms has grown up so fast.  Today, Joshua is two and a half.

Joshua’s speech developed very quickly once I went back to work and Cliff started staying home with him.  Cliff explains everything to him, and he never uses baby talk.  Now Joshua talks my ears off everyday.  “Mommy, what are we gonna do all night long?”  “Mommy, let’s go to the park and go to Tisol.”  “Mommy, are you putting mei mei down for a nap?”  “Mommy, let’s go outside and ride your bike.”  “Mommy, I wanna go to IGA.  I no go home.”  “Mommy, is that milk in your coffee?”  “Mommy…mommy…mommy…”

So what else does a two and a half year old do?  He uses the potty.  He buckles himself in the car seat.  He climbs play structures at the playground.  He eats hash brown by the pound.  He puts away his own laundry.  He feeds himself.  He sleeps on his own through the night.

Joshua loves to be outside, rain or shine.  He always comes up with excuses of why we shouldn’t be going home yet.  He will suggest going to IGA to get groceries, or I needed a coffee, or we have to run bank errands–anything to stall going home.

Joshua loves Savanna.  He gets such joy by making her laugh.  He loves to hold her, kiss her, and gently touch her cheeks.  But he also sometimes requests that I stop nursing her, or I put her down for a nap, so I can play with him.

He amazes me everyday with new things he has learned and the logic he uses to explain his world.  He is a growing boy, but I love it that he still allows me the pleasure of a snuggle and kisses sometimes.