Ezekiel is 2

My hulk baby is now more of a hulk toddler.

This year he has grown so much!  I think from 1-2 is when I notice the most change, it's when I realize I am losing my baby, and gaining a toddler.

He started walking, and some talking, although not enough to impress the doctors.  At his 18 month appointment they asked if he said at least 20 words, nope.   15 words?  nope.  10 words?  Does singing 'Let it Go' count as 3 words?  No?  Then nope.   I haven't been concerned by his lack of talking as I hear it's common with boys, and I know it's inevitable...he's really starting to jabber and repeat words now anyway.

He is daring.

Daring, as in I'm realizing I'm raising a boy kind of daring. As much as I want to be that laid-back mom that lets her child explore, and fall, and get back up without rushing to his aide every time... my heart lurches every time I see him fall and get yet another bruise, or goose egg, or scrape or hole in his lip! Which, because he is daring, seems to be quite often.

He is tough.   When he does get hurt, he does this cry like he's hurt, but he's not that committed to crying about it.   There's been a couple times I've missed the extent of his injury because he wanted to keep playing so I let him, only later to see the giant lump on him.

Right after he got back from the urgent care for biting a hole through his lip.

 
He cracks me up.  He has these expressions that if he were any other kid, he'd probably get in trouble, and I hate to admit that he sometimes gets off a little easy because his expressions kill me.  I promise he is well disciplined when needed, but he definitely misses out a couple lectures when it's too hard for me to scold him because I'm trying too hard not to laugh.

Yet, he's so gentle.  He's my child that all along would snuggle with me, and his squishy snuggles are amazing.  He wakes up slow like his dad and me, and doesn't seem to enjoy it at all, just looks for a lap to snuggle in.  It's one of my favorite times with him, and often I am starting my day late due to an extra minute of this time with him.

 He's a bit rascally, and truth be told, I've always loved rascally little boys.  They're entertaining, charming, keep you on your toes, and are definitely not boring!

Having this boy in my life has been a complete joy.  He's for the most part laid back and easy-going (unless he's in the nursery, but he's getting better at that).  Which is something I can learn more from.  He's joyful, and compassionate, and a huge blessing to our family.  I think we'll keep him around :)