Ezra Turns 2

It seems only weeks ago we were welcoming our baby Ezra home and this past week he turned 2. He is a very happy little boy who loves to gallop around the house and sing happy songs. He likes to sing "My Hands Up On My Head," "Popcorn Popping," "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," and "ABCs." (He sings "A, B AWAY" all the time. We are not sure exactly what that mean or what song he is singing, but he likes it and gets upset when we sing it with him).

Ezra has a lot of made up words. His favorite is "goolaga." We think that it is both"motorcycle" and "bicycle," but sometimes it is his expression of Joy! He can finally say Summer and Jarom's names (Summer is VERY excited about that), Dylan is still "Football." Ezra loves his brothers and sisters very much.

Ezra loves anything that is small and cylindrical shaped that he can hold in his hand-- a wooden screw, a plastic Kinex piece, a small toy. He can hold such a toy in his hand for HOURS. He doesn't really have a "must have" favorite toy, blanket, or animal. He was very easy to ween from both his binki at 16 months and his bottle about 2 weeks ago. I was planning on weening him of the bottle when he turned 2, but I broke the last nipple when I was cleaning it a few weeks ago, so I threw it away and said "All done." That was that.

Ezra LOVES to throw things away. He is very good at picking things up off the ground and taking them to the garbage. He usually throws away his wet diapers. I have to watch him very closely because he throws away other things, too-- toys, Legos, the remote. Today he happily threw away his ball.

Ezra has a very healthy appetite and is a very good eater. We are working on not throwing dishes and unwanted food on the ground when he is finished, but he eats a lot and he eats quickly and then he wants out of his chair. When he signs and says "all done." He means "NOW!" His favorite foods are tomatoes, mac and cheese, corn, toast, yogurt. He loves his "pop pop pops" (lifesaver, or any hard candy), but otherwise he seems like he would rather eat "good food" than sweets. I don't think he even touched his birthday cake.

Ezra is a very sweet and cuddly boy. He is quick to give huge hugs and kisses. For a 2-year-old, he is very good at taking turns and sharing. He often says, "I sabby." (I'm Sorry) --OK, so he whacks at us all, but at least he says sorry afterwards and gives big hugs. Ezra is also very good at cleaning up-- singing the clean-up songs all the while. When he closes the dishwasher (I figured it was better than taking dirty dishes out of the dishwasher) he gets a "mo mo mo" (marshmallow) treat. He loves to close the dishwasher.

Ezra loves books, Legos, Kinex, the trampoline, riding the mommy "horsey," bike rides, swimming, and honking every ones noses. He knows where the esophagus is and can count to 6. He loves making faces-- we practice expressions. He loves his dog, Cloie and pretends to whistle and can say "Good Girl." He thinks its fun to tell her to "stay."

Ezra is a really good sleeper-- always has been. He sleeps 12-13 hours at night straight through. He doesn't always take a nap anymore. Often, I will put him to bed for a nap and he will take that time to poop. Its crazy, but consistent. He loves when daddy rocks him to sleep.

We love you, Ezra, and think you are pretty great.

This is Ezra on his 2nd birthday posing GQ style.

Ezra with a "boom boom."

What a doll-face. He has such big eyes and a smile that can melt any heart.

Look at that goofy grin! He has so much fun doing his tricks on the trampoline!

What could it be? Ezra got Legos for his birthday. He loves playing with the little Legos with the big kids, but gets really frustrated putting them together. I am hoping that he will be able to work these a little better.

More Legos in a firetruck!! He says "Waaw waaaw waaw!" (Siren noise)

Ezra and his best little friend, Jenna. They were hugging so cute, but I was too slow with my camera. Jenna is just 2.5 months younger than Ezra. When they are not biting each other, they get along great!!

I have been having fun this year making cakes from scratch. This chocolate cake has a hazelnut-spread filling and chocolate genache in between and over the top of the layers. Its not the cutest cake ever, but, YUM, it was one of the tastiest cakes I have ever had. The kids, who do not appreciate such delicacy, had funfetti cupcakes. For Ezra's party, we played bubbles and sidewalk chalk outside-- it was sunny and beautiful outside.

Happy Birthday, Buddy!!