January 2013: 28 months (2 years & 4 months)

Dear Patrick,

• Another black eye this month.  You tumbled off the love-seat in our bedroom and hit your head on the corner of the trunk.  Now you have this perfect blue eyeshadow on your right side.
• Another ear infection this month.  ARGH. 
• Lately, when we ask you if you want something, you might answer, “No, I’m fine.”  (Its the "I’m fine" part that makes me laugh.)
• You said to me out of the blue one evening, “I’m gonna knock your block off.”  You said it so sweetly - like “I’m gonna give you a hug” that I’m positive you had no idea what you were saying, but it was funny.  
• You like the movie “Dumbo,” which has to be the saddest Disney movie ever made.  Your father can't take it anymore.
• You requested the tune “Mr. Golden Sun” to be sung before bed twice this month.  This is a big change since we have been singing the same regular three songs for a long time now: Itsy-bitsy Spider, Down at the Station and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
• You eat nothing.  I knew I was really starting to worry when I heard myself offer cookies for dinner just to get something in your tummy.
• You are much more independent this month and like to do things yourself.  But when you are tired, you still say, “Pick my baby up.”
• Sometimes you say your “leg hurts” and we think that means your leg must “fall asleep” because of the way your bend yourself in half at nap time.  One time, you told Gangie, “My leg came untied,” which may be the same sort of reference to pins and needles.  Clever boy. 
• A very light dusting of ice fell one afternoon this month but it hasn't been very cold.  I remember your first January and there is a picture of us bundled in coats with snow on the ground!  
• You asked me to bathe owl this month - even you admit he can smell bad at times.  You call the ends of the blanket "tails."
• You love to take a shower and stand with your little hands folded behind your back.  
• Your favorite bedtime story this month is “Mater in Paris.”  Your father does a better British accent, but I think I've got Mater's voice perfect. (Is he from Macon, Georgia?)
• Your imagination centers on lions, monsters and helicopters this month.  Sometimes you say you were “scared” when I wake you from a nap and I think your creativity is running overtime.
• Sonny & Katie and Jono, Jen & Jack came to visit this month which was great to have everyone under one roof!  You were intrigued by cousin Jack...kept your distance at times and often flat-out ignored him.  However, my favorite moment from the weekend came when you danced in front of Jack, who was in the jumpy-thing and said with owl and elephant in each hand, "Come play with us."  Oh, I think you both have many years of great fun ahead.

Much love always,
Mom