28 Months

Dear Madison,

This past month you've been a little difficult to please. You've been more whiney and clingy than usual and oh so demanding. The first thing you ask for when you get up in the morning is milk but the word takes about 4 seconds from start to finish and the pitch starts out low, goes high, and back to low. I make you say "milk please" before I will get it for you. I guess someday you'll understand. You're also very clingy and need to be with mommy or daddy if we're at a party or something. You get very upset when one of us walks away even if you're with Grandma or Nanny.

Your singing has gone to a whole new level. You sing Tora Lora (sp?), the ABC song, twinkle twinkle, itsy bitsy spider and when I say you sing them I mean you say the words to the best of your ability from beginning to end. You sing when we put you down for a nap or bed, in the car, or playing by yourself. If we come in the room or look at you, you immediately stop.

You are speaking in full complete sentences. You know all of your colors and most letters. You've known these things for quite a few months now I just kept forgetting to write it down.

Bossing Jackson around has become a new hobby. We'll hear you say "No no Dachan", or "get down Dachan", "don't do dat Dachan. K?"

One day I said I wanted to hold you like a baby. You let me do it and now you ask for it, "Hold you like a baby!" I love how you say you instead of me. "Mama tickle you", "Mama hold you".

Your cousin Sophia was born on your 28 month birthday. It's been less than a week but so far you're not thrilled with her. You talk about her a lot and like to see pictures but when we're with her you don't want anything to do with her. You don't seem to get upset when I hold her but Daddy took you to see her the other day and you got really upset when he held her.

Things that make you happy: being tickled if you're in the mood, running, splashing in water.

Things that make you sad: diaper changes, being tickled if you're not in the mood, being in a "strange" place if mommy or daddy aren't holding you.

You have one freckle right at the base of your neck on the front.

Dear Jackson,

You are such a bugger. I am constantly saying that to you because you are always getting yourself into trouble. You just can't help yourself. You do NOT listen to us when we tell you you shouldn't be doing something. We've been so consistent with giving you time outs when you don't listen but you're just not catching on.

You're talking a lot more. You're mostly saying two word phrases but have been known to throw in some three word phrases. As we're driving in the car you label everything you see.

Even though you can be such a bugger you are such a sweet boy. I still can't get over how much I love you. One night you woke up in the middle of the night so Daddy brought you into our bed to sleep with us. I was facing away from you (because if I face you I can't fall asleep because I can't help but marvel at you) and you rolled over and put your arm over me. I was a mess. I just started bawling. It was the sweetest thing ever. You love to feed me food and you share things with your sister so well (for the most part).

We were having a hard time keeping you in your crib. A few times I found you on top of your bureau throwing the things on the shelves on the floor. We figured out that if there was any furniture right next to your crib that you could easily get out. So we moved the crib away from everything and you haven't gotten out since. That is such a relief because I am NOT ready for beds.

Things that make you happy: The kitty, riding the trike down the hill/walkway, being chased, being tickled, Jackie.

Things that make you sad: diaper changes, getting a boo boo, leaving a fun place

I found a second freckle on you. It's on your back. I won't mention where the first one is ;-)