And just like that, Beckett is two years old! He's so big and talks so well that it's been crazy to call him a one-year-old these past few months, so it's only fitting that he's now officially two!
So what's new with Beckett at this stage? For one, he's started singing. It's as cute as you can imagine. He loves Baa Baa Black Sheep and the alphabet song. He also loves to dance. His favorite song to dance to is "Hey Ya" by Outkast, followed by "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift as a close second. He can shimmy, jump, shake his booty, and my personal favorite-- squatting down with his hands on his knees and shaking his booty.
He also discovered helping in the kitchen. This is a game-changer for dinner time. On the slightly negative side, we can't do ANYTHING in the kitchen without our little helper wanting to pitch in. He drags a chair over from the kitchen table, hops up on it, and is ready to be a part of whatever is going on. It slows things down a lot but it's been fun though. On the positive side, he eats even better than before. He'll eat veggies raw while we are chopping, etc. and then he seems more interested in the meals in general knowing that he helped make them.
In October I had a big project at work that required me to work nearly full time for a few weeks. I accrued some time off because of it and took about two weeks off work just before Samuel arrived. I spent it at home with Beckett just soaking in our last days before our lives both changed. We went to the zoo together, had play dates with friends, visited Kolby's grandparents, went to a movie, and played a lot at home. It was a blast.
Obviously the biggest thing to happen to Beckett these past couple months has been becoming a big brother! A couple weeks before Samuel was born Beckett finally seemed to grasp the concept that there was a baby in my tummy that would be out soon. We talked about it a lot and when the time came he was really excited to see his brother and very interested in him. The novelty wore off though, and although he is still very sweet to Samuel he's really not that interested in him these days. I know that will change as Samuel gets older and more fun to interact with. He is sometimes helpful in bringing us a diaper or pacifier for Samuel, and we came up with a "helpful boy dance" for when he helps with Samuel (not to be confused with his "happy plate dance" for when he eats all his food and his "smarty pants dance" for when he does or says something clever). The "helpful boy dance" is a move where he squats down then pumps his fist while saying "alright!" in a really low, husky voice. I don't know why we do these things but he likes them and they are cute.
Beckett continues to love construction equipment-- seeing the real machines, playing with toy ones, reading books about them, etc. He still love tractors too. He has gotten interested in football but only likes to dropkick the ball, so maybe he can be a punter and keep his brain cells intact. His favorite food these days is tomatoes. His favorite meal is pasta and his favorite drink is chocolate milk. He loves the movie Dumbo. He always wants bubbles in his bath. He's still sleeping amazing-- usually 8pm to nearly 8am and naps for 2+ hours in the afternoon (a pregnancy lifesaver!). For this reason we haven't attempted to move him to a big boy bed, although we have a big boy room all set up and ready for him (pictures coming soon). We have the nursery set up for Samuel but Beckett sleeps in there still. I'm not sure what our exit strategy is, but for now we are all enjoying his awesome sleep and nap schedule and don't want to throw a wrench in it!
Well that about sums things up lately! Now, some pictures...
Cheering on Dada at the homecoming parade (his last hoorah has Teacher of the Year!)
Throwing a fit in a parking lot because his stick wouldn't fit in the key hole of the trunk of my car (?)
Being a ham at dinner
We had a family fun day at a bounce house place followed by lunch at Rainforest Cafe. It was a hit!
Tagging along for a checkup on baby
This kid loves Baylor Bear football
My little makeup helper, making sure my brushes are damp with drool from his chin every time I use them.
This kid loves to soil the bathtub. It's a huge pain to clean up. But he gets attention from it (we throw him in the shower or sink to finish bathing him) so he's learned to save his business for the tub. Fun!
Chatting on the "phone"
Beckett's dream came true when a bobcat was IN OUR YARD tearing out our old, cracked and crumbled driveway. We set up shop for the morning and he loved every second.
Zoo fun! Feeding a giraffe then checking out the elephants. The rest of the time was spent at the gorilla exhibit.
Waking up happy. When he sleeps until 8am, everyone in the house wakes up happy :)
Kolby and his sous chef.
At the movie theater and entrhalled... for 15 minutes :)
Reading with Mimi
Sweet boy with foxy and monkey. He's not real creative with names ;)
Kolby needed to refresh his swaddling skills
Me and my boy on one of our quiet mornings together before Samuel's arrival
This is a picture taken a few days before I went into labor. Beckett nearly always asks to be rocked to sleep still and occasionally I give in and on this occasion I had to laugh at how full my lap was. A full-tern baby in my belly with a 35 pound toddler on top along with his foxy, monkey and blanket.
Beckett and his best bud William having a picnic lunch. I love how their feet don't touch the ground. This was the day I went into labor so I think this is the last picture I have of Beckett before he became a big brother!
First walk as a family of four!
My mom and Beckett getting their jam on. She stayed with us for a week after Samuel was born and was helpful with a lot, but particularly in keeping Beckett entertained!
My two dapper boys headed off to church!
One day I was playing football with Beckett in the front yard and he saw a boy down the street and wanted to play football with him. So we walked down and introduced ourselves, and the boy (who is 8) came to play and they had the best time together. They've played a few times since and it's the cutest thing in the world.
My boss came by to meet Samuel and she brought this vest and chaps for Beckett. We put them on him and he immediately ran to his room to get his hat and horse (broom) and ran back in shouting Yee-Haw!
Pushing his brother on the way into school. It's no easy feat getting two kids out the door in the mornings! So far our record is just 20 minutes late. But my goal for 2015 is to be on time at least once :)
"I hold baby Sammy's hand."
A peek at life outnumbered at home with two little ones
This is my new favorite picture. Beckett holding Samuel alone for the first time.
Thanksgiving 2014
Reading to our boys
On Beckett's birthday we let him pick what he wanted to do and he chose a local museum and dinner at Rainforest Cafe (which he calls "monkeys shake trees").
At his two-year checkup we found out what we already knew--- he's big and healthy! We are so thankful!
(He decided to show off his muscles)
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