TWO

It feels like such a long time since last December 11th. 
Last year Malachi was just a baby.  Last year he got to celebrate his joint birthday with his Grandpa.

We miss Grandpa!!

And Ky isn't a baby.  He's a huge enormous boy.

Last year Ky could sign several words, and say one word.  (Cheese.)

This year he talks almost exactly like a real person.  In fact, he talks quite a bit more than a real person.  He has a cute little way of talking that includes lots of exclamations! and conversational filler such as "actually" and "well . . . " and "anyway."  He will not stop saying something until he's heard an acknowledgement (such as: "Yes!  That IS a big front-end loader!")

Some cute sentences he's saying lately:

"Wow, wook, Mommy!  See a tall-tall cwane, mommy!  Wow!"

"So many stars up dere!  A-maaaz-ing!"

"Hiiiii, Mommy and Daddy!  Um, how was backet-ball game?"

"Um, Sebby, dat's MINE monkey, ack-chu-wee."

"Aving a-fel [falafel] tonight Mommy?  Oh-kaay, oh-waaay!"

"I hear fire gin-gin-gin-gin!" [=fire engine---he has a hard time figuring out where the word ends]

"Av-go!"="here you go" (said in a high, cheery voice as he hands you something)

Last year he had not quite learned to walk yet.

This year he does EVERYTHING, and I mean everything, his brothers do.  Only not quite as well.  Which often leads to injury.  (And Sebby might be a factor as well.)  He has had thousands of bonks, scrapes, scratches, bruises, and (above) a smashed finger which we thought was broken---but wasn't quite.  And he has borne it all with great fortitude and bravery.  In fact he often says in his prayers, "Help us to be bwave."

Last year he loved his birdie.

And this year . . . he still loves his birdie.  (He says it "boo-die.")

One of my favorite things about Ky is how much he loves me and Sam.  He is SO loving and affectionate, and he's the first one of my children to be excited (instead of disappointed) when we come home after a night of babysitting.  He always says "hi!" in a happy voice when I enter the room.  And sometimes also, "How-you?"

He loves to sing and can sing several songs all the way through by himself.  (One favorite is "Horsie horsie on your way," which he calls "Horsie on mine way.")  He loves Primary songs and, in fact, when we substituted Seb's Sunbeam class awhile ago, little Ky was the quietest and most obedient "Sunbeam" during Singing Time.

I love Malachi's big blue eyes, his long eyelashes, his curly hair (although he's still cute with his recent haircut---it makes him look older) and especially his sweet, loving, enthusiastic, cheerful personality.  He is our sweetest little sunshine and we love him SO much!

Happy Birthday, Malachi!  Have fun being TWO!