Our "baby" Turns Two

With all of the preparations for our trip, we also knew a milestone was looming when we came home.  Our little Josiah William Paul would say goodbye to official babyhood and become an official toddler.  I can't say how much I missed him when we were in Italy.  Of course, I wondered about Elias and Adelaide, but I had quite a visceral longing for the pats on the shoulder that he so freely gives me and the sweet, sweet smiles.  I have always written about my kids on their birthday and I'll attempt to keep the tradition here as long as I can.
Jed is a happy boy.  People have been saying that since he was born--what an easy baby and what a happy boy.  He still carries that temperament.  He waves at people and smiles at them surely expecting that they will respond and admire him as well. While he has always been of a happy temperament he is not afraid to tell you when he is upset.  But, usually this is short and typical of his age.
 Josiah is certainly an athlete.  He throws a ball with force and precision and upon seeing his new tee-ball set exclaimed, "Outside."  Even though he is athletic and co-ordinated, the kid also falls and bangs his head more than any of our children did at that age.  He has already beaten both of them with major trips to the ER and I won't be surprised if the trend continues.  I attribute this to some of his determination to do "everything" that his older siblings can do. 
One of my challenges this year has been watching the kids at the playground.  We can't go to the Tot Lot unless it is just Jed and me because the first-time moms throw goldfish and hand sanitizer if bigger kids legs' swing near their "babies."  On the few occasions when Josiah and I ventured to the Tot Lot together he took the opportunity to try out his World Wrestling Federation skills and pushed unknowing toddlers down.  So, we gather at the Elementary School playground with our friends after we pick Elias up from school.  This habit works very well for the older two, but it has left Josiah with a huge egg on his head and many a scraped knee. Nonetheless, our boy is an outdoorsy, ball-loving, scooter riding, creature.
While his language has never been his strongsuit, he communicates.  By now, he is repeating almost everything we say and putting together simple sentences.  This has been a joy to hear after a long period of a very limited vocabulary.  Once again, I suspect he might not be much of a talker because of the lugubrious talkers in this family.

Josiah is our simple, uncomplicated, loving--and cute--little boy. The other day, I heard him singing something that sounded a lot like the ABC song.  I suddenly realized he had picked that up either on his own or at his Mothers' Morning Out.  He just hummed along and added hand gestures.  It occurred to me that I had probably never sung the ABC's to him--let alone counted with him.  With that epiphany, I was reassured that he would pick-up what he needs and even if we forget to "teach" him his ABCs or 123's his role in our family seems to be to remind us to play and savor.  For some day, even he, will leave the nest--ABC's and all.
We love you Jedster!