happy 2nd birthday jake!

dear jake,

two years ago today at 6:51 p.m., i gave birth to you.  i'm teary as i'm typing this thinking about so many things, beginning with that first moment you entered my life.  i'm not going to get into the whole birth story here because it's in your baby book but just know that daddy and grandma jeanene were with me every step of the way and there to welcome you into the world.  

you are the most wonderful boy i could ever have wished for.  you are loving, independent, funny, determined, stubborn, friendly, smart and the most gorgeous child.  everyone we encounter whether it be strangers or people we know, comments on what a beautiful/gorgeous/handsome boy you are.  the two things they always say something about is your hair and your smile.  son, your smile makes daddy and me melt.  your laugh makes us laugh.  you are the happiest kid, always full of energy and excited about everything.

here are some of your favorite things right now.  

• food: popsicles, milk, rice, bacon and eggs, juice (mommy gives you too much), noodles, chocolate chip cookies, fruit (especially watermelon, apples and strawberries), olives, smoothies, french fries, ice cream
• tv shows: diego the explorer, jake and the neverland pirates, bubble guppies, team umizoomi, mickey mouse, yo gabba gabba
• movie: THE LION KING- you are obsessed with it
• things to do:  be in the backyard/garage with daddy; go to the park; walks in the stroller anywhere; play with your cousins;  pretend play with your zoo animals; wrestle with daddy; hide in mommy and daddy's closet behind daddy's clothes thinking we can't see you, waiting for us to find you; being read to, especially at night; go to grandma jeanene's house; lay in bed with mommy on saturday mornings while you drink your milk and watch cartoons.

jake, mommy and daddy love you so much.  we work hard every day to make sure that you're happy and that you feel safe and loved.  we always talk about how much we love you and how lucky we are to have you.  daddy always tells mommy that he can't live without you and that you're his favorite part of life.  you two are buddies and i call you his little magnet.  you love to be with daddy and he loves to be with you.  i know that you two will always be close.  mommy and you will always have our own special relationship, too, but i know that daddy really needs you as much as you need him.  you've changed our lives for the better and given us the best two years we've ever had.  we can't wait to see what new adventures this next year holds for you.  just know that our love for you is bigger than words, son. 

i'll post more tomorrow about what we did today for your birthday today.