This post churned up a lot of emotions, as I still can't fully wrap my head around the fact that it has been two whole years since Brooks came into our lives. Two whole years since he changed our lives in the
best way.
I can't believe that I haven't posted an update for six months. He is growing and changing every single day, becoming a little boy right before our very eyes.
For one, he is talking up a storm and has a large vocabulary. So much so, strangers are taken back when I tell them how old he is. They can't believe it! I often refer to him as "repeat" because he literally repeats every. single. thing that we say. For instance, "Brooks, did you sleep good?" "Sleep good." What did you dream about? Thinks for a second. "Mommy!" "You dreamt about Mommy?! What else did you dream about? "Daddy! Ann Bennett." "Brooks, do you want to go brush your teeth?" "Brush teeth!" (Typically, his puppy dog, bunny, or bear joins us in the bathroom). "Brush puppy dog teeth too!" Giggles. "Brooks, do you want to go to the park today?" "Go to park and, and, and slide down. Climb up ladder!" (Complete with hand gestures). Our conversations are the greatest.
He can count to ten seven. Once he gets to seven, he starts back at two. He knows all the letters of the alphabet and can sing his ABCs. We are still working on our colors. He consistently knows brown and pink, but gets all the other colors confused. John thinks he may be colorblind, but I think he's two and not Einstein.
Brooks loves and I mean looooves dump trucks, bulldozers, excavators, loaders…really, anything that you would find on a construction site or anything that has wheels (firetrucks, cars, tractors). He still loves to read books and fix things with his tools. Outside is his happy place. Put him in the sandbox with a shovel, dump truck and loader and he will play for hours. He loves to be chased, play hide and seek, and perfect his somersaults in the yard. The pieces of grass that I find in his hair hours later, the dirt under his fingernails, and that little chuckle are my favorite.
Our little boy is not so little anymore. At his two year well check-up, he was weighing in at 27 pounds, 10 ounces (45th percentile) and is 35 inches tall (66th percentile). He is still a picky eater, but is becoming more adventurous as far as trying new food goes. He eats exactly what we eat for dinner, plus fruit. Now that we all sit down at the table together, he is more prone to eat a lima bean, for instance, if he sees mommy and daddy eating one. His favorite foods at the moment are, cheese (of, course), macaroni and cheese (of, course), sweet potato tots, oatmeal, fried okra, and bread. He opens the pantry and chooses his snacks and pouches. Sometimes I give him the choice between two things and he says, "want this!" We say, "want this, please?" and he quickly responds, "peesh!" followed by, "tank you." Finally.
His manners are great at home, but we are still working on them with strangers. He is extremely timid and gives most the "stare" when we ask, "what do you say, Brooks?" If you're lucky, you will get the faintest "tank you" and sheepish grin. He also puts a finger in his mouth for comfort when faced with an unfamiliar face or a new environment. I hear "mommy, hold you" a lot. And I usually comply (wink).
On August 24th, B sat on the toilet for the first time. We have no intentions of potty training just yet, but want him to get familiar with it and see it as a friend and not a foe. He goes potty in it every evening before he gets in the bathtub and sometimes throughout the day. He went number two in it on December 12th and one other time since then. My plan is to wait until he is at least two and a half years, even three, before we officially pull the trigger.
He is still sleeping in his crib, but we have introduced a pillow. He gave Dr. McAfee his "pa pa," also known as "papi," at his well check-up (for a new baby that needs it), so the pillow was our decoy. He asks for the pacifier every now and again, but when I remind him that we gave it to the doctor and tell him that he is a big boy now he says, "give papi to doctor" and doesn't make another peep about it. In addition to his pillow, he sleeps with both of his lovies and all of his stuffed animals have to join the party, as well. He also has to sleep with not one, but two blankets. Snug as a bug in a rug. He does so well in the crib (not once has he ever tried to climb out) that I am extremely hesitant to convert it. To be honest, I am in no hurry.
B man knows all of his friends names and a lot of their mommy's names too. He can name and point to friends and family in pictures. He loves to FaceTime, especially with daddy, and watch videos on our phones. He can work that iPhone like you wouldn't believe, swiping and tapping away. He has a "Brooks" folder that is his go-to for Fisher Price apps. He also loves the tube. What kid doesn't?! His favorite television shows are Curious George, Daniel Tiger, Tickety-Toc, Special Agent Oso, Bubble Guppies, and Little Bear.Surprisingly, he isn't a big fan of Sesame Street and is on the fence about Mickey Mouse Club. We usually only watch t.v. in the morning during breakfast and early evening while we wait on daddy to get home now that it gets dark so early. We both can't wait for warmer weather and longer days—can we say, stir crazy?
Brooks still thinks that daddy hangs the moon and lights up when he surprises us some mornings or comes home from work. He runs into his arms and gives him the biggest, strongest hug. When John has something to tell him that he wants him to pay attention to, B looks at him with big eyes and digests every word that he says. They build forts, go on adventures with the flashlight, and read together every night before bed. He is in the habit of telling every thing in his room (and outside) goodnight before we lay him down. Some nights he only wants me and some nights he only wants John. I am definitely his go-to for comfort and daddy is his go-to for a good time. I can be fun too, though. Mommy can throw a mean dance party in the kitchen and most mornings I let him "eat den!"
Tantrums are not welcome, but they do happen. Often. Anything and everything can set him off at any given moment. Toy falls on the floor of the car? Meltdown. Mommy reads book to baby sister? Tantrum. He asks for milk and I give him water? World War III. It's a good thing he's cute, because when he is in a funk, I want to cry along with him. And sometimes I do.
Lastly, his memory. It's like an elephant. For instance, he asks for ice cream at the grocery store. I buy it, of course. We get home and that's the first thing he asks for. Or, John gives him the option of taking a bath or a shower. An hour later he goes into the bathroom and turns on the water in the tub and Brooks loses it. When we ask him what's wrong he says, "big boy shower!!!" Wow, just wow. Who is this fifteen year old?
John Brooks, Mommy and Daddy love you so much it hurts sometimes. Looking back on your first two years of life I am brought to tears…tears of joy and thankfulness to God for blessing us with such a perfect, silly,
messy, big-hearted, bashful, beautiful, strong-willed boy. You bring us so much love and laughter. Especially laughter. No, especially love. XOXO.
