Big Birthday

Emil and Colin are TWO YEARS OLD today!  Last week I was strolling them around the mall and a 91 year-old woman and her daughter stopped to admire my boys.  They told me I was doing a good job and this hard part of life would go by in a flash, then I'd find myself being walked around by one of them.  That trip to the mall ended with me changing a blow-out diaper on a kicking and screaming Emil in the van in the parking lot.  But, I'm out there!  I'm doing it!  The truth is I love having them with me.  They've learned how to behave in public and I've let go of any notion of a "quick trip to the Post Office." This time I get to spend with them before they go off to school all day is precious.  And really difficult sometimes.

Emil is making his 2T clothes work hard for the money.  He is so heavy!  But not very fast.  (During a jail break, it's always good to chase Colin first, then come back for Emil.)  Emil can find a way to climb onto just about anything.  He can get in and out of his crib (and Colin's).  If he can't turn the doorknob in his bedroom to get out, he knocks on the door politely until someone comes and opens it for him.

Emil loves anything with wheels.  He will stop and examine the tires on cars if he's on foot in a parking lot.  Emil likes to make noises for cars and trains as he scoots them around the floor.  He likes to jump off everything - stairs, beds, couches, curbs.  If I suggest he jump, he's all over it.

Even though he talks a lot, most of what Emil says isn't very distinct.  Every time I hang up the phone he asks loudly, "Ooo uz ZAT?!"  ("Who was THAT?")  When he gets his hands on a phone, Emil puts it to his ear and yells into it, "ARRO?"  ("HELLO?")  He still says "nana" for banana and he's added some other half-words like "fo" for phone and "DA" for Dad.  Emil absolutely wants to do everything himself - push all the buttons, put on his own coat, take off his own shoes and socks, put the lid on the milk or orange juice carton, do his buckles in the high chair and the car.

When it's nap time and usually for bedtime, too, Emil is content to settle down with his binky and his blankie and fall asleep.  He loves the Toy Story movies (and laughs at all the funny stuff), Finding Nemo, and he's recently discovered Cars.  When we bathe the boys, we leave one of them in to play while we dry and dress the other.  We'll ask the boys who should be taken out first and Emil will immediately point at Colin and say, "ENENENENENENE."  (That's for Eeeny-Meeny-Miney-Mo.)  Sometimes Emil just wants to snuggle and watch a movie, which is nice because he's very warm. :)  He can be stingy with the kisses, but he always gives me a sweet kiss after I've dressed him or when I'm getting him out of his high chair.  Most of what Emil does is pretty rough, he's all boy.  We love everything about him. :)

Colin can still pull off the 18-24 month clothes.  He's a little ball of energy - he never walks anywhere, always runs.  And his run is awesome!  He really should have his own theme music.  Something with a lot of staccatos.  The other day I noticed that he has a second crown on the top of his head.  Finally!  Something that is the same about my boys!

It took a few weeks for Colin to catch up with Emil in getting out of his crib, but Colin was the first one to get back into the crib.  He still can't open doors (thank goodness!), but he loves jumping as much as his brother, although Colin likes to stay on the couch or a bed to jump.  He's not as keen about jumping off stuff.  Colin loves to take care of his Pooh Bear.  I've found Pooh Bear with Colin's favorite blanket tucked under his chin and once Colin motioned that he needed a diaper and he had Pooh Bear on the rug where I normally change the boys.  Hahaha!  So cute.

One of the big differences between Emil and Colin is that Colin has a very long attention span when it comes to books or an activity that involves taking small toys from one container and putting them into another.  Colin always has a favorite book that he will sit down and "read" (turn the pages) for several minutes.  Most of the time he is sitting so that Pooh Bear can see the pictures too.  Colin likes to watch the same movies Emil does, but he smiles the most when he's watching the Winnie the Pooh DVD. 

Colin will give me a kiss anytime, anywhere.  Same goes for Daddy and Bridget.  He doesn't hold back his love.  When he's in trouble, he covers his mouth with his hands and cries, then holds his arms out for a hug.  Colin is irresistible.  He doesn't say any words, really.  Every once in a while a random, distinct word will come out, but for the most part he's reticent.  He loves to "sneak" up on us and tickle and tease.  So far Colin has only caught Emil in the mood to play a few times.  

I'm very easy today.  Already cried for joy a couple of times.  It's impossible for me to think about the defining moments that were little miracles adding up to the big miracle of being Emil and Colin's parents without getting choked up.  Happy, happy, birthday, birthday to my little boy treasures!