He's Two and Here's the Update to Prove It...

Vincent Laws is two years old!  Today I want to record, for posterity sake, a few things that currently characterize Vincent at two years of age.  I want to warn you, the word "precious" will be used in abundance.  You may find this annoying but if you're a mother, relative, or close friend, I know you will forgive me.

Words – Vincent’s vocabulary exploded in the last eight weeks.  He says mostly two to three word sentences and we are able to understand him most of the time.  What I love most is his novel use of phrases.  For example:  “Peeyou!”  is a word we say when we change a dirty diaper (e.g.  “Vincent you are ‘peeyou’ stinky!”).  Vincent now uses “peeyou” to describe anything he doesn’t like or anything dirty (e.g. “That’s peeyou Mama” while holding out a plate of food he doesn’t like.  Or, “Peeyou!” while showing me a cup filled with rocks and dirt.)    Another example is his use of the word “Shooo” as is commonly used while singing the familiar song, “Shoo fly don’t bother me.  Shoo fly don’t bother me.”  Vincent now uses it to express his displeasure with another’s presence.  For example, “Shooo momma!,” when I am disciplining him.  Or “Shoo!” to the doggies when they are trying to steal his ball.  “Too hot!  Too hot!” is used whenever food is served.  And finally “Too big!” is proclaimed whenever there’s a problem he is having difficulty solving.  The other linguistic attribute to note is his manners.  He answers "Yes ma'm,"  when in the mood {more times than not right now it's "no" :)} and says, "I'm sorry," whenever he makes a mess.  It pays to have a big sister sometimes.  Precious personality in words.

Lovies – We are pro-lovey in our house.  Turns out there are people who are anti-lovey?!?!?  Well anyway, Vincent has four.  Gus (the original lovey).  Gerdie (the backup lovey that looks nothing like the true lovey, Gus).  Fireman Frank (the carry around town lovey – which he rarely chooses to do).  And Blue Gus (the 2^nd backup lovey that closely resembles Gus.  Blue Gus was purchased and overnight shipped by Mimi and Grandpa when Gus went missing for five days.  Gus was found - a happy moment for all).  In reality, he only uses his lovies during nap and bedtime and the first hour after waking.  A few months ago he went through a stage of naming them every night before we placed him in his crib.  “This is Gus.”  “This is Gerdie.”  "This is Frank."  "This is Blue Gus."  Precious.

{3 out of 4 Lovies - Frank, Blue Gus, and Gus}

Play – Vincent continues to be content in independent play.  When in a group he will play for the first few minutes with the other children and then he’s off on his own.  He enjoys puzzles, shape sorters, cars, and trains (he especially loves “Nomas Choo Choo”).  “Chuck Trucks” are favorites and he frequently can be found carrying them around the house.  But his absolute favorite toy right now is any kind of ball.  He loves to hit balls with a bat whether they are on the ground or on the T-Ball stand.  He is absolutely giddy when he finds a ball.  He continues to enjoy playing outside and has taken to collecting rocks in Ziploc bags since our trip to Gatlinburg where Tony bought each kiddo a small collection of rocks and gemstones. 

Books – Vincent's interest in books has grown in variety.  He especially enjoys 1,2,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle, 10 Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz, and Otis by Loren Long.  On our last trip to Texas I discovered my old "Disney book on tape collection" on the top shelf of my closet.  As a little girl, I sat on my bed for hours and listened to such classics as “Lady and the Tramp”  “The Rescuers” and “Alice in Wonderland.”  I brought the collection back with us to Alabama and both kids enjoy listening to the books.  Vincent especially enjoys “The Three Little Pigs” and loves to act out being the “big, bad wolf,” with great huffing and puffing and blowing in our faces.  So precious.

Food -  The boy loves his meat and requests chicken frequently with “more baak baak.”  We are also eating our weight in snow cones every afternoon; a task he enjoys in his diaper while running around the backyard.  Two year olds running around in backyards with snow cones - PRECIOUS!

Personality – Vincent continues to be affectionate, frequently giving “big hug”s.  He adores his sister most of the time and always wants to wake her up early to spend time with her.  During the last month they have become lovely playmates, disappearing together for close to an hour in her room or the living room.  When they play in the backyard she will purposefully fall down so that he can come over and “save her,” which includes trying to help her up.  It warms a mother’s heart to see them love eachother so well.  On the flip side, he does not put up with any of her antics and she does not put up with any of his.  Sharing is improving and Sophia has deemed it her mission in life to teach him to talk more.  “Vincent can you say tree?”  “Vincent can you say big tree?”  “Vincent can you say dinosaur?”  “Vincent can you say Tyrannosaurus Rex?”  There’s some not so subtle bragging on her part but precious nonetheless. 

{Blurry but PRECIOUS}

As of today Vincent’s “twos” are manageable but experience has taught me that things change day to day, week to week.  One thing that will never change, though, is the absolute joy he brings to our hearts every day.  Vincent Laws Anthony, you are loved.