Keaten,
We can't believe another year has gone by! It seems just like yesterday you were brought into our lives and now you are going on being 2 years old. Now you are running (not walking), wrestling (with whomever you can get to the ground), and just full of giggles and smiles. If that weren't enough your vocabulary has grown to where we are hearing sentences from time to time and to be honest, we aren't sure we are ready for two big talkers yet, but we know you are!
You started off this past year as a fish who loves his bath time, and you know what, you are ending it that way too! You still love to be in the water and would stay in it until it became freezing cold. I love that you have such a fascination with water and look forward to what that may entail as we progress throughout the next year. Swimming lessons? Maybe, will a pool be just as successful? Could be. We won't know until we start this upcoming adventure of Year 2.
Funny enough, Mom and I thought you were non-stop talking/jabbering a while back, boy were we wrong! That wasn't nearly non-stop talking compared to your vocal insights as of today. It may no longer be all jibber jabber, but it definitely takes up 90% of the day we have and we love it! You like to sing songs, say prayers, and just talking in an all to serious manner as we look on with confusion flush on our face. Sometimes our confusion is: "Did he really just say that?" and other times it is us trying to figure out what you were trying to tell us. Keep expanding this vocabulary, your sister needs the competition.
You have a fascination with every toy/object you meet. It isn't enough to know that it just works, you have to know, how it works. That is an amazing characteristic that I hope we can explore further as you get older. There are so many ways that your curiosity of how things operate can really shape you for interesting adventures ahead.
Last year you were a flirt, and guess what, you still are! Woohoo! Hooray! You go after all the girls you can possibly find, batting those eyes as you say "Hi" in the sweetest voice anyone would fall in love with. Of course, Mommy would say I'm starting the whole "double standard" again, but I know you'll grow up just fine. You've got an excellent resource to mimic. No, not those characters from TV, me, your Daddy! Stop laughing Keaten; stop it right now, I'm being serious. See Mommy may call it a double standard, but I know how you were raised and I'm fairly certain I know how you'll eventually treat the girls in your life. I can't say the same for the boys your sister may date, but at least she'll hopefully know how she should be treated.
Ending this year has been really tough on you as your 2 year molars started to kick into high gear. We know it hurts, we know you are struggling with it, but just wait till it is over and you can use those babies for munching down more meat, veggies, and snacks! They'll come in handy. After all you are a muncher. If anyone within a 10 mile radius is snacking on food, you are by their side ready to share with them.
You've got a thirst for God, for church, for family (even your sister), that we can only hope to we can turn into a stream or a mighty river. The smile you have when you are picked up, playing, talking, laughing, is all worthwhile. If there was one thing, just one thing you could work on for us; please learn to sleep in! Seriously, 5 in the morning is getting old, and now that you are trying to push it even earlier.... oh no!, Not happening.
Your Mother and I look forward to what opportunities we can present you too this coming year, and we know you'll take it in stride (because that is just who you are). You love a challenge and have proven time and time again, no matter what obstacles are in your path, you'll find a way to climb them, go around them, or move them. Keep that up. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something or it is beyond your reach. Show them that all obstacles are movable.
We love you and we'll always strive to be the best parents we can to you. To help shape your future in the ways we believe God is leading us in your life. We'll work on showing you how we place God first and our family in second. We'll show you hard work pays off and faith, trust and prayer can remove the most complex obstacles from your path.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
