2 years old on Main in Memphis

These are Bowen's 2 year old pics that our new friend, Marcie Maxwell, took for us. Enjoy!

What's so Terrible?

Dr. Rosemond says between birth and 2, the parent's role is "servant" and the goal is to produce a "secure child." From 3 to 13, the role of the parent is "authority" with the goal being a "self-governing child". There is no mention of what to do in the hazy year between 2 and 3. Perhaps this silence was on purpose. Perhaps I am to be jumping between SERVANT and AUTHORITARIAN. Perhaps, I will be frantically finding a "corner" in the middle of Fresh Market between the apples and the fresh mozzarella cheese. Ten minutes later, I will be offering a grape Dum-dum so that the ears of the people the next aisle over will not need to be fitted with hearing aids sooner than they would have thought. Two is here. Two is upon us! What joy!

No, seriously, it isn't that bad at all. Bowen had a great birthday and I can't believe we've been so blessed for 2 years. I really find nothing about 2 terrible at all (yet). I actually think it's all still quite a bit of fun!
Bowen is very into trains (I think I have mentioned this before) so what else kind of birthday cake would we have but a CHOO-CHOO! I basically watch too much Ace of Cakes and think my middle name is Duff. The Result? Well, after half a gallon of red, blue, yellow, and BLACK food coloring, we had ourselves a Choo Choo Train Cake...enough to feed the neighborhood...and a small island nation.

Bowen is so lucky to have Mrs. Pat and April who take care of him on the days I work. They threw him ANOTHER birthday party and Elmo was the guest of honor at this party. What a lucky boy.

I took the actual day of his birthday off and we went to the zoo with some friends.
All in all, a great birthday month. Bowen has already corrected "coo-coo" to "choo-choo"...he's getting so big. He's talking a lot and repeating almost everything.
He still loves to play outside and loves his dogs. He loves cars and music and still hates cheese. Woody, Buzz, Elmo, and Cookie are all great friends. When you are about to give him something he really likes (a piece of candy or something) he starts doing a little strut I like to call his Dinosaur Walk. We love watching his personality develop and how truly consistent he is with his likes...and dislikes! Enjoy the pics!

Have you missed Mr. Pup? He's baaaack!!

All grown up!

Birthday Boy!

Everybody say cheese!

All Aboard!

a red caboose

my friend Jilly the Giraffe

Playing bubbles with my friends

Mommy and Daddy and my cake

Gran and Big

KitKat and PapaDoc

Jackson and me

My Mrs. Pat and my Elmo cake!

My friends at Mrs. Pat's.

My real birthday with mommy at the zoo.

See this cool panda bear behind me? I love watching him.

Summer Lovin'

So in the world of blogs-the blogishpere- they nominate blogs and hand out awards. I won!! Thank you for nominating me. I would like to thank God, my parents, my husband, and of course, my little man. It is just an honor to be nominated. I won in the category of Most Timely Entry! What an honor!
Whatever- then I woke up. I basically took the summer off from posting. This blog was initially started to share pics of our sweet guy (because I don't really like emailing them) and now it has turned into my electronic scrapbook! So, move forward, I must! Onward, bloggers, to the depths of blogging infinity! Or, maybe not..just when you have time. :)
We've had a great summer. Soon after the wedding, we were off to the beach. It was a nice relaxing vacation with just the 3 of us, and it was tons of fun to just watch Bowen meet the ocean and sand for the first time. Such glee and excitement ...and stress (the good kind)- And then there was such pure exhaustion after a morning out on the sand and water. We made a few short little trips other than that, but mainly stayed around the house.
Bowen is growing up so quickly. He is talking more and more. He says things like, "I want some more" and "This is a ball (or fill in whatever object you'd like)" My favorite is "This is a water"... A water?? Love it. He is still so warm and cuddly and gives the best hugs. He has developed a true, passionate love for Elmo and Cookie Monster. It's so fun to watch him be so entranced with Sesame Street. It's definitely magical...because he just doesn't pay much attention to other cartoons or shows.
Bowen loves books and puzzles and choo choo trains. He is definitely particular and likes certain books. I read some 30 times a day...and I would read them 30 more.
He is running all over the place. He says "UP" as we go up each step..and says "UP" even when we go down. He yells "BUMP BUMP!" every time we go over the speed bumps on our street. (I started that one...)
He still has his Binkie and Lovie at night time. He has grown more attached to it then ever before. He only has it at night and nap time, but he definitely has a new affinity for it. I should have taken it away when he was 1..he didn't care then. I know he shouldn't have it at all. I know what the books say. I am a speech therapist-I am the one telling you to take it away from your kid...but, I don't really care! He can have whatever he wants!!!
And oh yes, Bowen is SORT of potty trained!!!! Not really at my house :), but at Mrs. Pat's he pretty much goes all of the day with just a pull up. So proud of my sweet, smart boy. We're no where near big boy pants...but ever so close...and before 2!
So here's to picking back up with my posts. We've had a wonderful summer playing in the sprinkler and visiting Greats and Grands, reading books and taking strolls (when it wasn't 100). Enjoy the pics!


I'm a travelin' man.

I love hotel beds!

Playing with my Grammy

HELLO Ocean! Here I am!

Having a blast.

with Daddy-beachin' it.

and Mommy- catchin' some rays!

Beach baby

Cool.

Have you heard the one about the Big Mouth Frog?

MY Daddy

Perfectly rotten.

Mommy's amateur photo shoot!

Lovin'

every

minute!

Let's get in real quick.




Mama's boy

Sweet gaze

Family portrait..in the wind

My first kiss- and from a pretty girl!

Unprovoked posing.

Cheese!

These crazy ladies made me cry. (Not really, but I can't tell them that.)

Here we are- happy again!

Head sugar!

This is AWESOME!

My two favs- the sprinkler and Elmo!

Look Missy- water! get in!

Jump on it!

The potty! (I will only sit here if you give me my toothbrush.)*

*Note from mommy- I don't really let the two touch.

Swinging with dad

I last about 90 seconds in this...


Posing- again totally unprovoked.

Lucy, eat this...

I like to help feed the dogs.

My mom and dad brought me to the zoo when it was 99 F. They're smart people.

Sweating..and loving every minute of it!