2 years old!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our little buddy!  Lincoln finally had a word explosion this month.  His vocabulary has increased exponentially, and he will repeat almost anything you ask him to.  One of his favorite new words is "my!" (mine).  Funny how that is much more important to a second child. :op  I love hearing him say things like "knock-knock" and "di-no-soh".  It is also funny listening to him try to sing along to "Old McDonald Had a Farm" because it takes him a long time to get to the ending "o".  It's more like "e-i-e-i-e-i-e-i-e-i-o".

Lincoln loves trains and runs to the front window every time he hears a train whistle blow.  Then he waits for a glimpse of the train as it passes behind the hospital while saying "Shoo-shoo!" over and over.  He really loves anything with wheels and enjoys playing with his cars, trucks and tractors.  Check out the birthday card Emily made for Lincoln that includes the birthday song they sing at preschool (Last line = Bless Jesus, Bless you).

He is eating a bit better lately, but is still quite finicky, as most toddlers are.  Lincoln's two new favorite foods are watermelon and pudding snack packs.  Sometimes he even has them for breakfast.  He also loves noodles, rice, mac & cheese and hot dogs.  Pretty typical kid.

Lincoln has been practicing and perfecting his tantrum routine.  Going to the park has almost become a dreaded outing.  He is usually not ready to leave when the rest of us are, and lately I have had to carry him over one shoulder kicking and screaming while trying to push the stroller one-handed and directing Emily on her bike.  It isn't a pretty sight.  I'm grateful for our own little "park" in the backyard that is much easier to deal with.  Lincoln loves swinging (baby swing, glider and belt swing) and loves going down slides, although he thinks he has to hold your hand on the way down.  He also loves the sandbox and has spent a lot of time there already.  I gave him a watering can full of water the other day and he was in heaven.

Reading books before bed has become even more fun with more verbal interaction.  However, Lincoln now insists on sitting next to you in the chair rather than on your lap.  It's a good thing at least one of us has skinny little hips! ;o)  I guess it's his way of being a little more grown up.

We love our little guy and all the smiles and joy he brings.  I have had several people comment on how they just love his smiles.  He is a very enthusiastic greeter and will smile and say, "Hi!" over and over again to anyone who comes in the door.  We love his funny and goofy faces and antics.  He really is a little ham.  We can't wait to see what the next year brings!

P.S. Check out the birthday post shout-out from Lincoln's cousin, Ryan, here.