Dear Jack,

You are definitely earning your name as a 2-year-old.  You have mastered the pout, and have started mastering temper tantrums if I have to tell you "no."  Too bad your pout does nothing but make me smile.  You are just too darn cute.  You are everybody's favorite in our little family, and I think you know it.

You are my little buddy and shadow.  After the boys leave for the bus and we drop Emmi off at school in the morning, you love to go downstairs and exercise with me.  (That is, you watching Netflix on my old phone while I workout).  You are so content to play beside me when I start to work on the computer, or again, watch Netlix or play games on your daddy's Ipad.  You love building with blocks. And you are crazy about your animal puzzles.  If you are not building with blocks, puzzles, or other toys, you like to line them all out in a row side by side, just like you did with my little candle testers on the counter.  

You are a smart little thing, and now quite a few colors, numbers and letters. You do occasionally cause mischief while I work, and can scarily now open doors and go outside if I am not watching you.  You love peanut butter like your big brother Keaton, and I have caught you on more than one occasion spreading peanut butter on top of a granola bar and eating it like you have seen him do.  You get yourself a snack and even drink on your own most days, and you ask for "noodles" or Ramen every day for lunch.

Your favorite activity would be going outside, either out on the swings or riding your little bike in the front.  It kills me how fast you can fall asleep though, if your siblings are not around to play with.  You will be asleep and snoring within 2 minutes and in the funniest places.  You haven't taken a regular nap for me since the fall, but seem to need one some days.  That is fine with me, for at least I know you are not causing trouble.  

I love how you come in my bed in the mornings, and put your little arms around my neck.  Sometimes you fall asleep again in that postion, with your hot breath on my neck.  I get to cuddle you for those last few minutes before I have to get up and get the big kids ready for school.  Every day when I am holding you, I always remind myself that this will not last, and soon you will be so big, so I try to memorize how you feel sleeping beside me, your sweet kisses and little voice.  I wish I could keep you this age forever. I just love you so much.

Love, Mom