March 2013: 30 months (two and a half years old)

 

Dear Patrick,

• You handled your first day of full-time daycare on Monday March 4th with such ease.  You were excited to see your friend Rivers at school and called the new building “cool.”   Later the director emailed me to say that fifteen minutes after nap started, you feel asleep with the other kids and stayed that way for two full hours.  You ate well, played hard and had a great time!  Why was I even worried.
• The family started this month with three full days of the "pukie-poos" and it was quite an ordeal.  We warned friends, “don’t even drive by this house.”
• You are fickle.  “Yes, I want crunchies.  No, I do not want crunchies.  Yes I do.”  You can change your mind in an instant - its like living with vacillating, moody, erratic, unpredictable, crazy chameleon.  And then you get angry that we can’t follow your train of thought.  Your dad has actually had to say to me, “Just don’t talk to him for a moment.”
• I love when you clarify a statement by saying, “for sure.”  The other day you told me, “We can make chocolate milk.  For sure.”
• You love: lollipops, squishy play-dough, bird seed, bracelets, trampolines, golf clubs as hockey sticks, the snort in Home Depot, dirt, Monkey Joes, the Cars Movie, the wall at school that has the toys which you have to play with “just for a min” almost everyday before we leave.
• You laugh really hard at the Winnie the Pooh movie - especially when Tigger bounces or Pooh’s tummy grumbles.  We found the movie “on demand” so now you watch it most mornings before school while you drink your chocolate milk (with the egg your father hides inside!)
• Twice this month you woke in the middle of the night and needed some extra hugs and love (and you asked for cheese balls but we didn’t oblige). You may have been hungry or you may have had a bad dream.  Your dad rocked you back to sleep and put you in your crib both times. You have such a great dad.
• I recognize that this may be too much information, but you pooped on the potty this month all by yourself and got an M&M.  (Your father and Uncle Michael should also be given a bag of M&Ms for their encouragement and clean-up!) When I congratulated you, you smiled shyly and said, “you are so proud of me.”  More than you’ll ever know.
• Things this month that cause you to cry - and I mean cry with actual stress & real tears: Cooper the dog sniffed you.  Your cup won’t balance on the sofa.  Your veggie straw broke into two (and you wanted only one)!  Your sock hurt.  Your hands are asleep.  You do not want to take a bath.  You do not want to get out of the bath.  Gravity.
• Patrick, I’d like to take a moment to tell you that at two and a half years old you are already such a secure, confident person.  That doesn’t mean you aren’t shy or unsure at times, but you just seem to be simply “solid,” as your Pop would say.  I wanted to make this observation because I think sometimes people underestimate the strengths that come easy to them.  You are innately kind and happy, and you should know its been a part of your core from day one. 

I love you very much,
Mom 

more photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200667244460870.1073741827.1153490639&type=1&l=e612172b08

February 2013: 29 month (2 years & 5 months)

Dear Patrick,

• I’m sorry to admit this but I do not like building forts with you.  You are Godzilla to my Tokyo, and Tokyo is very, very tired.
• We had tubes put in your ears on 2/15 and true to form, you were an amazing patient.  We were warned that you would cry when taken from us into surgery and cry when you woke up from the anesthesia, but you did neither.  You jumped in a motorized car and drove yourself into the operating room without even looking back at your parents.  And once you had a popsicle in your dad’s lap in the recovery area, all was right in the world again.
• I’m actually beginning to like Curious George.  I might watch that him even if you aren’t around.
• “I want to take my paaaants off and jump on the beeeed” is something you say often.  It should be noted that the words “pants” and “bed” are said with extra, drawn-out syllables so that you sound really nasaly.  “Peeaaaaaaants...”
• Michael found another owl lovie and bought him for you this month.  You call this new owl “soft owl” and your other owl, “regular owl.”  Now instead of finding just elephant and owl before bed, we also have to find soft owl too!  Thanks Uncky.
• Some sibling rivalry exists with Cooper. “No, Coopy, no!” you’ll scream.
• You call me, “ma ma” - but not as a southerner.  Instead, you say it with a sharp, french accent “ma ma”!
• Tantrum is your middle name. Luckily your outrage doesn’t last long -  it just doesn’t take much to set you off either.  Not time for TV?  Oh, well, get ready,  because Patrick-Tantrum-Byrd is NOT gonna be happy.  We can usually distract you from your agony with a toy or the idea of cooking.  Nothing breaks a tantrum like the offer of cooking an egg with your Dad.  (And we’ve made plenty of scrambled eggs that we did not eat this month.)
• You can play the colored cube game and follow the rules now.  We tried a few times before but you just pushed the cards around and weren’t interested in the order of how to play - until this month, which is a really interesting development.
• You are very opinionated - so much so that you are starting to make decisions for us now too.  The other day I told you I wanted to make a cup of coffee and you said, “No, you don’t want to make a cup of coffee.”  Oh, really - I don't?  You know me better than I know myself, I guess.
• Your father and I went to Toys R Us one morning this month and had a field day.  We bought you some “big boy” toys we thought you’d like: tool caddy, one of those bags filled with air that you can push over and it comes right back up again, cars and a couple of motorized somethings that I’m not even sure exactly what they are, but they make a lot of noise.  Its Christmas in February for you, my sweet boy.
• We have enrolled you in full-time daycare, which starts next month.  I think we are all a little nervous about this next big transition in our lives, but we just keep reassuring each other that it will be fine!

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   

December 2012: 27 months (2 years & 3 months)

Dear Patrick,

• Your dad reads to you while you play in the bath from a classic adventure book.  One night I heard bits of “Jack and the Giant Beanstalk," which helped me explain to Omi why you "smell the blood of an Engishman" as we were visiting in Macon this month.
• I installed “instagram” on my phone so I could finally see pictures of cousin Jack for myself.  (And sure, I guess I maybe post a few of you too.)
• My new favorite game of yours is the one where you tell me to close my eyes and then you crawl onto a chair in the bedroom in order to turn off the lights and say, “Goodnight ma’am.”  I say, “Good night sir,” and then I lay peacefully. After a few moments, you turn the light on and say, “Good morning ma’am” and I wake up for a short second until you turn the light back off and I get to sleep again.  A lazy mom’s dream game.
• At night as you fall asleep, we watch you put your feet through the bars of your crib and push off the wall, successfully moving your crib into the middle of the room. In the morning you’ve been known to say, “I moved my cwib!”
• You say “thanks” with a capital “F,” as in “Fanks, daddy.”  It makes your dad laugh.
• You get so excited when JP smashes his face against the glass kitchen door until we let him inside and then a hurricane of little boys ransack the house.
• You spent the night at your grandparent’s house and said to Biggie in the morning, “Look Biggie, Ef-fant is here but Owl didn’t came.”
• As I was leaving for work one morning this month, you ran into my bedroom and dragged my red coat behind you.  “I got your coat for you, Mommy” you said to me.  You knew I was leaving and got my coat - amazing. 
• “Food Truck” is a part of your vocabulary.  When we drive past The Community Tap, you say, “Dats where the food twucks lives.”  You also look for the firetrucks sleeping in the firehouse.  Apparently you are familiar with all neighborhood vehicles.
• We came to visit Omi and Pop for Christmas and one of our favorite “Patrick moments” was when I asked you not to touch the cheese plate for guests.  Your eyes filled with tears and you explained to everyone by crying, “Mommy says... no cheese... for MEeeee.”  And then to accurately express the unfairness of it all, you added dramatic pauses and pointed to your chest to really drive the point home.  
• Your favorite "toy" this month was an old Cullinan radio.  You spent hours...actually days focused on that radio. 
• You told Pop that you are "very articulate" and asked for help opening the "pistachio."  
• Your forehead met the corner of the Robinson’s ping-pong table at full two-year old speed, and left quite a bump, but you are a tough boy. I think it hurt others more than it really hurt you.
• Lately when you are upset now, you choose to put yourself in “timeout” when you need a moment to collect yourself.
• The end of December 2012 marks our third Christmas together.  What an exciting 2013 ahead!

With all my love,
Mom 

November: 26 months (2 years & 2 months)

Dear Patrick,

• We play “monsters” on the bed and hide in the “cave” under the blankets.  “I see a monster - lets hide” you’ll say to me with big, wide eyes.  You can play this game forever.
• You fell off the Townsends guest room bed and got a real shiner on your cheek that has lasted all month long.
• When owl and elephant sleep, you want me to tickle their backs, like I do for you.
• You have a cute way of answering questions lately.  You say, “yes, I DO want some ice cream.” or “Yes, I DO see that yellow truck.”  
• We moved into our new kitchen this month - just in time for Thanksgiving.
• You finally met your cousin Jack over Thanksgiving and we all had such a great time together!  Aunt Jen let you feed the dogs and Uncle Jono held pillow fights with you on the bed.
• At your two year old check-up this month, you were 22% weight (26 lbs) and 97% height (37 inches tall), so tall and skinny!  Dr Chea said you spoke at a four year old level and that most children your age can only put two words together.  Aw, such a smart boy!
• Driving in the car the other day, you said, “Everyone has hair,” which isn’t exactly true, but I just love your little observations so much that I didn’t have the heart to explain the reality of baldness.  
• I have PJs that are blue with red strawberries and you like to pretend to eat the strawberries, but you always share with me.
• One morning this week you threw a fit about brushing your teeth.  “I don’t like to brush my teeth” you said, and really dug your heels in deep with huge sobs.  We brushed your teeth anyway, but I see a real independence streak emerging.  
• You pronounce the word “elephant” as “ef-fant,” and when I pick you up out of your crib in the mornings, you say, “Don’t fall, Ef-fant.  Hang on Owl,” as your friends are tucked close under your arms.
• If you eat a purple popsicle, your lips turn black and your father and I are rasing a little goth-baby.  
• You play with the coffee-maker and say, “I’m cooking.”

I love you my sweet beautiful boy!  Love,
Mom

October 2012: 25 months (2 years & 1 month)

This month:

• You observed the other day that “Coopy (the dog) has a tail.”  And then after a pause you said, “Mommy doesn’t have a tail.” That made me laugh so hard.
• One afternoon you waved Millie’s magic princess wand in my face as we were playing next door and said, “I make Mommy beautiful.”  Umm...I’m not really sure how to take that, my sweet boy.
• You told me the story of “Snow White” this month, which came down to a witch in a boat and an apple that “she ate it up!”  And then after some prodding about what happens next, you said, “the prince kiss to wake up.”  As a side note: while at the grocery store with Gangie, you saw a tabloid cover of Katy Perry and said, “There is Snow White.”  There was an inset photo to which you also said, “and there is Mommy.”  I’m not sure I would have ever thought Mommy, Snow White and Katy Perry could be grouped together, but there you go.  
• In a two-man maneuver wrestling move, your father and I extracted a splinter out of your foot, which you got on the Wiles deck.  Even though it is now gone, it must have been traumatic because you still talk about it and check your foot for it sometimes out of the blue.  
• You share very well but you are quick to announce, “Its Patrick’s turn!” now that you understand how these sharing rules work.
• Thanks to your Gangie, I sing to myself now, "Brush away tooth decay; brush at least three times a day!"
• Your father read the book “Magic 1, 2, 3” about discipline, in which in order to stop negative behavior we do not reason or overly explain ourselves, but simply say in a calm, clear voice, “Patrick that is a one” to get your attention and signal that you have been warned.  Apparently when parents get to 3, the child gets a timeout, but we have yet to get past one.  You are so sensitive. We correct your behavior and your little face just crumbles.  And you reflect on this correction by holding your little pointer finger out to us in the same gesture we used with you and say with a trembling voice, “Daddy said...thats..thats...thats..a ONE!”  And you stop.  Problem solved.  Again, we have never gotten past one warning.  
• Omi made your Halloween costume this year: a baby Byrd.  (And your mom and dad also have similar Byrd outfits.)  I have to say, we do make a cute flock.

September 2012: 24 months (2 years)

Patrick, it was a busy birthday month for you you!

• I love the observations that come out of your mouth.  My favorite this month: “There are bones in there,” you said pointing to your arm one day.
• You are experimenting with volume control.  The other day you yelled at your father, who was sitting right beside you on the couch, “I neeeeeeed a peeeeeeanut, Daaaaaaddy!”
• You love your step-stool in the kitchen and like to watch us cook.  Standing on your stool, you made coffee with your father one morning and it was such a nice moment - the two of you side-by-side, saying, "first we get the water and then we push this button."  Really sweet.  And even sweeter that the latte was for your mom!  
• Favorite foods this month are: hot tamales (tamawes), olives, pop-tarts, yogurt popsicles, altoids, pea ice cream...jeez, what do we feed you?
• You make up songs that repeat one word over and over again at different inflections, and then title the song justly.  So the “Dada” and “Car” songs have no surprises.  They are exactly what you’d expect.
• After a long cold this month and a few rounds of antibiotics, Dr. Bass thought we should take you to see an ENT to discuss the idea of getting tubes in your ears.
• Kitchen progress began this month!  You are more excited, however, about the weird plastic sheeting put up to seperate you from all the fun.  You bang on it as you walk through the dinning room and when we unzip the zipper, you peek inside to say hello to Mr. Ben and Mr. Phil.
• We had a trip to Birmingham this month to visit Jack (and your Uncle Jono and Aunt Jen, plus your Aunt Katie and Uncle Sonny were also there!)  You stayed with Gangie while we met your cousin, but the next trip we promise to bring you.
• Sonny came to visit you this month in Greenville and you loved seeing him!
• You are intrinsically kind and sensitive; you give hugs so easily and seem so very sensitive.  I am so proud of you and your beautiful character...its hard to put into words.
• We have been letting you open a birthday present every few days so that you could play, focus and appreciate each one, which in theory sounded like a good idea, but in reality may have set your expectations a little high for never-ending presents. 
• We had your second birthday party at The Greenville Zoo (shelter # 29) this year and although it rained a little, you and your friends had a lot of fun.   You wore an orange t-shirt with a blue monkey on the front that read, "Woo hoo I'm two!"

Woo hoo indeed!  Happy second birthday, my sweet beautiful boy!

Love, 
Mom