To Tyler at Two Years Old

Tyler,

I can not believe that you are two years old today.  In some ways the time has gone by so quickly, but in other ways, it's felt like you've been with us forever!  I remember the instant I saw Timmy was life changing in a shocking way.  My exact thoughts, as I briefly saw him being lifted through the air in an arch on his way to the scale were, "Holy shit."  You changed our lives forever too, but the moment I saw you felt more like coming home, "Oh, there you are, you've finally joined us."  You joined our family with such ease and instantaneous love.  You were such an easy baby and are still so loving and snuggly.  You did manage to start your "terrible two's" at about 18 months though.  You try very hard to be the boss, and Daddy and I are trying just as hard to maintain that position!  Timmy will even tell you, "You think you're the boss Tyler, but you aren't the boss."  A few months back you had just had a fit over something and a few minutes later you were happy and giving us big smiles from across the room.  I said to your Dad, "He's so handsome."  Daddy kind of whispered back, "Yeah, but he's either happy or he's pissed off..."  Daddy also said you get that from me.  I will take credit for any part of you that I can though my sweet boy, especially your beautiful eyes, that seem to be getting browner by the day.

You are still such a mama's boy.  I don't mind at all, but I do wish you'd be nicer to other people who offer to hold you or love on you when you're in a Mama Only mood!  A polite, "No Thank You" wouldn't hurt feelings as much as your, "No! My Mommy!" with an accompanying swat at them!  But I will continue accepting all the loving and cuddling you will give me!

You are Timmy's shadow.  If Timmy is doing something or says something or goes somewhere, you fall right in line.  You do put your own flare on everything that you do though.

You are pretty much tortured going to Timmy's T-ball practices and games.  You want to play so badly, and honestly, you could almost keep up with those bigger kids.  You keep putting the batting helmet on backwards though, and you're at least two feet shorter then anyone on the team.  At the games, we sit behind a metal fence, and you will play with Stella pretty happily most of the time.  At least once a game you have wandered to the bench, put on your backwards helmet, grabbed a bat, turned to me to say, "bye," and tried to get through the gate.  You are too cute.

Daddy adores you.  Timmy regularly asks to sleep in our room and sometimes we let him, and sometimes we let you too.  One night you had gone to sleep on Daddy's side, and in the middle of the night he tried to scoot you over to me because his arm was asleep.  It woke you up and you started to cry.  Daddy told you that you were going to Mommy.  You stated, "No, here!" and pointed back at the pillow where you had been.  Daddy was very happy to be your first choice for snuggling and brought it up repeatedly the next day.  Every time you've slept in our room since, you've snuggled with him too.

Daddy and Uncle Billy put in a playground for you and Timmy both for your birthday presents this year.  You love it and it makes me so happy!  I am looking forward to many evenings outside playing, but I am teaching you and Timmy how to pump your legs to swing as soon as possible!

When Timmy was turning two, we were ready and trying for you.  Now that you are turning two, it makes me want another baby!  We know that we aren't ready right now though, and we don't know if we ever will be ready.  Take your time growing up for me Tyler, just in case you are our youngest!  We love you so much Tyler!  Happy Birthday!