Mac - 2 Years, 2 Months

Dear Mr. Mac,

I'm going to finally stop calling you "Baby Mac" in these updates because you really aren't a baby anymore, despite me still trying to put you in onesies and rock you to sleep every night.  As much as I'm not ready for you to grow up, you're becoming more and more independent daily and it's been such an amazing thing watching you become your own person with (such strong) opinions. Seemingly overnight you've grown from my baby to my buddy.  As we prepare (any day now) for your baby sister's arrival, I wanted to make sure to jot down a few of the things that I never want to forget about you right now.  

You are such an incredible kid with a personality that just doesn't quit.  Everyone that meets you seems to take notice of just how wild, funny, talkative and adventurous you are.  I feel like most kids your age are either very talkative (but less active) or crazy adventurous (but less chatty) - you are a fun combination of both - you never stop moving or talking - which makes it feel like you're well beyond your age.  People peg you at 3 - 3.5 years all the time (maybe because you're also tall), which makes me want to shout "NO! HE JUST TURNED TWO, HE'S STILL A BABY!"  It's quite possible that I'm overly sensitive (and very hormonal) about the topic.  Why do you have to grow up so fast?

Speaking of growing up, this week you started nursery school summer camp and I couldn't be more proud, excited or nervous for you.  It's 3 days a week, 3 hours a day for two weeks.  Your nanny and I are both very emotional about this transition, but we know it's good for you.  This is basically the very first time you are doing something on your own without a parent, grandparent or nanny with you.  This week is about safety (which you really need to learn) and next week is music, which I'm sure you'll love.  You were such a little rockstar on the first day of school this week. You seemed to be just fine with me leaving you to play with your friends on the playground, which nearly broke my heart and also made me proud.  Your teachers said you were great all day, with a little bit of trouble making the transition from outside to inside, but you shared very well and did a great job.  You talked all night about the fish and guinea pigs and toys and friends at school. Love.

Yesterday was a bit harder for you at school and you cried off and on for quite a while until your nanny came to get you.  But once you realized someone was always coming back for you, you perked up and seemed to be fine and not too terribly traumatized. We talked a lot about that last night and you were still really excited to go back today, which is a good sign.  You told me you were sad, so Bambi went with you to school today, just in case you needed a bit of support.  So far today there's been a few tears shed, but the fire trucks are coming to school to visit, so I think you'll be just fine.  I'm anxiously awaiting news of your day as I type this right now!  You'll go another 3 days next week, while I'm in the hospital having Mim, so I hope you like it.  I don't know if you're ready for "real school" yet, but I think this is a great way to introduce the concept to you and get you used to listening to others and being in a classroom with other children.  Such a big month for us.

Otherwise, we've been having so much fun enjoying the warm weather and being outside.  You are SO active, being outside is the only way we've found to get all that energy out.  This summer has brought on a whole new set of activities and toys than last year.  No longer are you content with a water table or just a hose, you need a whole pool and a golf course to keep you entertained.  Since birth, you've always been very strong and coordinated.  You were never a "floppy baby" and you've only gotten stronger and more athletic and dexterous as the months go by.  You can hit a golf ball like I've never seen.  Hitting a baseball off a tee is too easy.  A ball thrown for you - no problem!   You alternate between hitting left and right, which makes your dad so excited for a switch hitter.  You throw with incredible accuracy (righty) and can hit a shot on your basketball hoop from 7 feet away. Your hand-eye coordination is extraordinary.  We're already looking into golf lessons because you love it so much.  You've also been taking swim lessons since January and they've moved you up to the 3 year old class.  You have zero fear of the water and kick and paddle like a big kid.  It's pretty impressive.  You're not the best at listening to the coach or paying attention in class, but we're working on it. You seem to set your own agenda and do what you want.

You are ALL boy.  You love playing in the dirt, digging for worms, mowing the grass, collecting bugs, driving tractors, trains, garbage trucks, sports, dogs and messes.  You are covered in mosquito bites, scrapes, cuts and bruises all the time.  You live to be outside and messy.  Your fingernails and toenails are disgusting.  You throw EVERYTHING, which drives me crazy.  You love dumping things out just to make a mess.  You want to get your hands in/on everything. You're absolutely fearless.  And I love it all.  

You also insist on doing things on your own and in your own way.  There is no showing you how to do something, you want to do it "BY SELF!!"  We try to let you as much as we can, but sometimes it drives us nuts that you won't let us help with hard stuff.  I know this is typical of toddlers, but you are so stubborn and adamant about it sometimes.  You insist on doing everything your own way, when and where you want.  You must get into your highchair by yourself and buckle yourself in.  You insist on putting on your clothes and shoes by yourself and won't accept help.  You are the most demanding and persistent child I've ever met.  Tantrums and meltdowns happen multiples times a day because you want things YOUR way.  When you want something, you absolutely will not let it go.  I think you get that from me, but sometimes I really wish you'd gotten a little less of it.  We're working on not giving you everything you want ALL THE TIME (because you're so spoiled!), but it's hard on us. I think having a sibling is going to be the best thing to happen to you - although I can guarantee you will absolutely not agree for a long time.

As for having a sibling, things are about to change dramatically at home and I worry constantly about how you're going to handle everything.  I know that it'll all work out eventually, but I think the initial transition from only child to big brother is going to be particularly hard on you.  You get so much attention now, that I am nervous that you'll feel left out or frustrated when the baby arrives.  Right now you have a very difficult time sharing the attention with anyone.  Even if your dad and I are talking to each other it drives you nuts that we're not focusing completely on you.  If all goes according to schedule, Mim will be 2 years, 2 months and 2 days younger than you, which I think is pretty cool.  But sometimes I wish the time difference was more/less because you're at a very difficult age (terrible twos are no joke) and I just don't know how we're going to handle you and a newborn at the same time.  Let's hope Mim is like her daddy and super laid-back.  I am really excited about getting to spend more time with you during maternity leave, but I also have concerns.  You have a very hard time when the nanny and I are both home with you, which has me worried about the next three months.  But I know you're really smart and will catch on quickly. I have confidence in you, it just may take us a while to get it all figured out.  That's ok.  We'll get there.

I am so excited about the changes coming to our little family.  I'm thrilled and honored to be becoming a mother again and I can't wait to watch you become a big brother.  I know you'll protect her and love her fiercely.  You have such a big heart and can be so tender and affectionate, when you want to be.  I know it may be hard on you over the next few months as we figure things out, but you'll always be my baby and the love of my life.  I am so lucky to have you.

Favorites:

Book - I Stink, Go Away Dog, Horton Hatches an Egg

Food - "Daddy Pasta"

Color - red

Number - three

Shows - Daniel Tiger

Movies - Aristocats, Toy Story 2

Animal - giraffe

Activity - digging for worms, swimming, golf, mowing

Toy - Koko the train, Sophie the giraffe, lawnmower

Stuffed animal - Bambi ("Banga")

Treat - snowcones, cupcakes and black cookies

Jammies - red garbage (fire) truck jammies

Day - Thursday (GARBAGE TRUCK DAY!)

Fruit - pears, grapes, strawberries
Song - Monkey & the Engineer by Grateful Dead, Happy Birthday

Dislikes:

Being told no

Waiting

Bear jammies

Cantaloupe

Pasta not in penne/rigatoni form

Mac Says:
"Nope, not" anytime just "no" would be sufficient.
Me: Are you hungry?
Mac: Nope, not.

"No wayho sayhose ho" (No way, Jose)

He always wants me to try things that I say I can't do.  I love that about him.
Mac: Mama sit right here (on the back of his tiny trike seat while he's also sitting on it).
Me: I can't fit there.
Mac: Try?

"Pash Matatoes" (mashed potatoes)

As I'm leaving the house in the morning...
Mac: I love you, mama.
Me: I love you, baby.
Mac: I love you, mama.
Me: I love you, baby.
Mac: I love you, mama.
Me: I love you, baby.
Mac: I love you, mama.
Me: I love you, baby.
This can go on 100 times or so...

"Morgan" (more, again)

Phone rings...
Mac: HELLO!
Me: Who's calling you?
Mac: Papa.
Me: What does he want?
Mac: To dig for worms.