zach, 2-year-old sweetheart

Dear Zach,
It's hard to believe that you are two now. You seem so grown up all of a sudden. I have noticed it just recently, and many others have mentioned it as well. You're just like a little man. There's a sweet older lady at church who calls you "little bishop" because she thinks you look just like your dad. With the loss of your baby-ness, you have become a little bundle of busy-ness and energy. You like to be on the go. You love to run (sometimes away from me), to climb, to play, to explore, to jump, and to be just like Sarah. You copy many of the things she does these days. When you have to be strapped in a stroller, a cart, or a carseat, you fight to be free. When you want something, you go out and get it. Even if that includes climbing on the counter or the table. Sometimes it seems as if nothing will stop you from getting what you want. While it's not always helpful right now, I hope that trait continues with you throughout your life in achieving the goals and tasks that you set out for yourself. Although you are quite a charmer (a flirt, really) with others, you mostly just like to be with me and get very shy when others want you to come with them. You love nursery at church and want to get there the moment we set foot in the door. I love how you are starting to interact more with toys, to play with them independently and creatively for longer periods. You love trains and trucks and cars and tractors and buses. If it has wheels, you love it. When we see them on the road, you shout out all about it until we acknowledge that we have seen it also. You just recently started talking more after a long plateau of the same words. It seems that you learn dozens more words and use them every day. I especially love how you shout out, "Sarah, where are you?" when we head out to pick her up from school. You're finally done with the binkie and your blanket during the day but still get excited to have it at night and during your nap. You love to tell daddy "Bye, bye, see you soon," in the morning and get so excited when he comes home at night. You love to sit on my lap to watch shows and have learned to bring me the (correct) remote (out of four choices) when you want to watch "t." You love to eat cold cereal for breakfast and spill the milk all over everywhere. You love to take baths. When you hear the water running into the tub, you come running from wherever you are. I like to be silly with you and tickle you and see your happy grin. You are so fun to have around, and I love seeing you explore this world of ours and make your place in it.
Love,
Mom