We will not be turning the car seat back around...

BECAUSE YOU ARE TWO! HAPPY APRIL FOOLS BIRTHDAY HAY HAY!

So, here we go again. Being a parent totally takes a toll on your neurosis. Every time you think you have done something right, some article quoting the American Academy of Pediatrics (this one about rear-facing car seats) comes out and debunks what you THOUGHT was right. Now, while we don't dismiss these well-researched conclusions, based upon years of quantitative analysis, we can't help but feel that this list of ever-changing threats makes us a little nuts. No peanut butter until 1 year, then 2, and now it's 3 years; formula is bad; vaccinations cause autism...etc. Click. That is the sound of us tuning out. Why? Because today, our insanely cute, full-of-personality, hair-never-cut boy turns 2! AND THAT MEANS, WE DON'T HAVE TO TURN THE CAR SEAT AROUND.

What we DO need to do, is to tell you all of the things we love so far about little Hay Hay. This is as close to a baby book as we have. We will narrow this down to a few favorites.

1. The Hair. We have not cut your curly, golden locks. We can't. We are afraid. Even though your older brother was coiffed at 1 year, we are at the 2 year mark and we are going strong. It can tuck behind your ears now, so you can see again. That should buy Mommy & Daddy some more time to adjust to the reality of the first hair-cut.
2. The Dancing. You have this amazing move that involves only one arm in the shape of a chicken-dance wing. It flaps while you skip in circles. Maybe you once saw a chicken after a stroke, but you have this look on your face that tells me you are waiting for the laugh. Your go-to dance favorite right now is, They Might Be Giants', "HOT DOG" song.
3. The Language. What comes out of your mouth is not only funny, but well-timed and delivered with a cute little voice with a slight hint of rasp. Your word choices are what I find most endearing. My current favorite is the term "Happy Boy" which is code for Apple Bar. I am sad that you will soon progress past this amazing phase where complete sentences are brand new and nothing evil has come out of  your mouth yet. You have always had me at "Piggy, Paci, Mommy."
4. How Much Light is In You. You are ALWAYS happy from the moment you wake up, to the moment you close your eyes and say "Gooh Nigh" and give us a fake snore with your eyes squinting shut. You recently had a stomach virus and in between "episodes" you still remained happy - so happy in fact, that Mommy & Daddy were still laughing at 2am, 3:30am, 5am and so on.
5. You Have Cute Tantrums. Because you are our second child, we have a different take on your tantrums than with child number one. We definitely are seasoned pros and there are a lot less child development book-checks happening post trauma. For some reason, these outbursts are not only brief in nature (oh please stay short) , but somehow, a little bit cute. It's not that we are insensitive parents, but we don't know a single soul who wouldn't smirk at the sight of a miffed Cherub...which is what you resemble most.
6. Your Smile. The best. No words. And constant.

Granted...you may look like an Angel, but you are quite mischievous, and we're on to you. We will see beyond the cheeks and the hair and the constant phrase "Meewlk Please" at some point. Until then, we will remain what Mommy likes to call "Obliviously Aware" (What does that mean? Who knows, it's 1:45am). You do make us a little ticked when you throw food, head butt us (or the floor), and want to run "Ousside" every chance you get. Still, it's all a part of who you are. We love every minute of it.  

 One last important mention, your quick birth story- without the yucky parts. Mommy started having contractions at 5am on your due date, April 1. This date is a very special day in our family, as it also your Great Grandma Rena's birthday, who is turning 104 on this very day! By 8:30am (yup 3 1/2 hours from the first contraction), you made us a family of 4. Also noteworthy, is that your Centenarian Great Grandmother was chosen as one of Willard Scott's birthday wishes on the TODAY show that day, which happened to air, coincidentally, at 8:30am. Hmmm....

As Daddy & I finish this, we realize there are a million more things we need to write down. It is impossible to capture your essence in a measly blog post.  We will just have to enjoy you in person and cherish the indelible imprint you have already made, and continue to leave on our hearts.

Hay Hay, we LOVE you! Have the BEST 2nd birthday ever!


Love,


Daddy, Mommy, Ry Ry, Sierra, and Otis