Twenty-four months

When I set out to try and capture in words your stages in life in the first months, I envisioned that the two-year mark would be the conclusion of my blog updates specifically devoted to what you were doing and learning that month. I never imagined that two years would come so quickly, but here I am, looking this last entry in the face.

One of your new words sums up this stage of life nicely: "self." The week of your birthday, we set off downstairs, and I put my hand out for yours, as is our routine. You looked at me and very matter-of-factly said "self" as you started down the stairs on your own. Excuse me? Who taught you that word?! As proud of you as I was in that moment, that you were ready to conquer the stairs with confidence, I was taken aback at this newfound level of independence. This word has since been extended to a variety of activities that you now like to do on your own.

You are such an incredibly verbal child, which I love. I have a hunch I was the same way at your age. You attend "school" (parents' day out) once a week, and your teacher commented to me that she was impressed with your verbal skills. Speaking of "school," I'm so very proud of how far you have come in terms of being ok with a new place without mom. The first few times I dropped you off were hard for both of us, but now you wheel your new backpack in with confidence and off you go. Mimi and Didi got you the backpack on wheels for your birthday, and watching you pull it into school is the most adorable thing ever. You look like a pint-sized adult, ready to travel.

Some of your fun milestones in the last few weeks are that you can count to 10, sing Happy Birthday, recite the first three U.S. presidents, and speak in full sentences using words I didn't even know that you knew. You have your Mimi to thank for many of those. She's an excellent teacher. You've also learned make people laugh purposefully. You keenly observe the things you do that others find funny and you ham it up for your audience! You caught your dad off guard a few weeks ago by using "oh, shoot" in the correct context. You've also figured out that his name is Gib, and you call him that with a mischievous glint in your eye, waiting for him to laugh. The way you say it sounds a lot like me when I'm calling for him - Giiiiiiiib.

You are still fascinated with snakes - in photos, as toys and in displays at the natural history museum. I keep trying to reiterate that they bite, should we ever see one alive. You climb everything and everyone. The other day, you sweetly invited me to sit on the floor next to your crib, only to use me as your stepstool to try and climb into it. Clever little stinker!

We've had, ahem, more than a few time outs this month. Let's just say you are exploring your physical abilities and testing our boundaries with them.

You are a fun and sweet big brother. You love to run and show things to your little brother and give him a kiss. And even he isn't exempt from being a climbing tool when mom isn't watching. I know it's been quite a transition for you, no longer being our only child, but Levi Blaze, you have been a rockstar. You've been patient with all of us, and apart from a brief sleep strike at night, you've adapted really, really well. Your mama is far from perfect, but thank you for blazing this trail with me. You are a trailblazer, my little dude, something I'm confident you will be your entire life.

One of my absolute favorite things about you right now is your love for worship. You sway with the music, sometimes lifting your hands and sometimes playing imaginary drums. Throughout the day, you spontaneously begin singing the chorus of one of your favorite songs, and I love to hear Yahwehhhhhhhhh coming out of that sweet mouth. I was listening to a sermon the other day on 1 Peter 2:9:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

And I realized, of course you love to worship… you were made to worship, and even your namesake of the Old Testament priests is a testament of that. You have the heart of a worshiper.

Two years. Twenty-four months. Time has passed so quickly, and I'm more in love with my firstborn than ever. You are our treasure. Happy birthday, my little dude.