30 months

Dearest Kekoa,

Today you are 2 1/2! I wish time would just slow down, just a little bit and you would stop growing up so fast. It is a bittersweet, watching you grow and change. I love it, but I know I will miss this time with you when it passes.

You are a definite mama's boy, so attached to me. You look at me like I am the most perfect mama in the world, which is a big responsibility! I keep thinking you are going to break away from me a little bit, but if anything, the mama love gets stronger and deeper with each passing day. Most of the time, when we are home, you don't want me out of your sight and want me snuggling you all day long. It is nice, but makes it hard to do anything else! You give the best smooches and hugs...you pucker up your lips and everything, it is so cute. Your favorite thing to say is "I want my mommy". I am cherishing all the love though because I know it won't always be like this, especially when your mei mei is born.

It is amazing watching you grow into this little human being. You are definitely fully into your "2's" right now. It just happened this last week...so opinionated and wanting that control. The littlest thing will set you off, like if I turn off the light at night instead of having you help me. It is like your world has ended, so I turn the light back on and have you help me turn it off...just saves me a lot of meltdowns.

Most of the time, I really love that you know what you want. You can articulate things so well. You can tell us what you want to eat for lunch (usually a hummus sandwich) and you tell me what you want for dinner (if I have made something you don't like. I always keep your favorite...pesto on hand for pesto pasta, just in case) If you are sad, you can tell us why, if you are sorry about something you did, you can articulate the "naughty" thing you did and tell us how sorry you are about it. It is pretty awesome. You say things like "I am so happy mama is here.", which melts my heart.

You are super excited about becoming a "ge ge" (big brother) You love rubbing my belly and talking to your "mei mei" (baby sister). Tonight, as I was putting you to sleep, you shimmied down to my belly, lifted my pj top to talk to zamboni. It was so sweet. You told her, "can't wait to meet you" and "love you zamboni". Almost every night, you sleep with your dolly baby sister. If you are half as sweet to your real mei mei as you are with your doll, then you will be the best ge ge ever. You are just fascinated with how my belly is growing and your mei mei goes crazy when she hears your voice. I love that you call her your "ladybug".

You have become quite the helper. You love to help put clothes in the dryer, take them out, put your dishes away, choose your own bowl or plate for meals, put your dirty clothes in the hamper.... It is nice and actually is a big help most of the time.

You are an eating machine. People can't believe it when we tell them how much you eat. When they actually see how much you eat, they still can't believe it. The past couple of mornings you have been eating oatmeal again. Now, instead of sharing my bowl with you, I give you your own. You eat the entire, adult portion of oatmeal with blueberries and then ask me for more blueberries. I can't even believe how much oatmeal you can eat...the same amount as me! I love that you are a good eater, but your tastes are definitely changing. You used to LOVE veggies, not so much now. Tonight you did eat a ton of green beans, which surprised me because you haven't been so into your veggies...just pesto pasta, pesto pasta, and more pesto past. You love the stuff.

I am so happy you are napping again (knock on wood). We both need the down time. Around 12:30/1:00, when you go down for your nap, is when I am fading fast and need to rest too. Your nap length really varies, anywhere from an hour and half to 3 hours. Bedtime is around 8:00 but it still takes you awhile to fall asleep at night, a half hour or more. I usually don't get out of your room until close to 9:00, but I think I'm dozing off a bit in there too! :)

You are the most amazing child Kekoa Kai and we are so lucky to be your parents. Thank you for making us laugh each day and for feeling so loved.
I love you with all my heart,
your mama