Happy 2nd Birthday Mills Oliver!

Our baby boy is TWO today.  I don't know what to say.  Two years ago, we welcomed the sweetest little dark-haired, blue-eyed baby boy into our lives.  Erik and I never knew that we could love someone so very much.  Our active "all boy" little boy is healthy, smart, and loving.  Mills is a ball of continuous energy who smiles and laughs just as a child should.  He loves to tickle, loves to eat, loves to "wide" (ride) on any and almost everything.   He is oh so very active and strong willed, does not meet a stranger, and did I mention that he is active?  He loves to be extra loud in public.   I can only laugh at this, because he is usually loud when he is waving (while yelling) and saying hello to just about every person we see in Walmart.  Hey, at least he's friendly. Right?  I can handle the loud tone as long as he is in a good mood and not throwing a tantrum. ha!

Everyone repeatedly tells us that they will grow up too fast.  "Speed of light" seems like more of an appropriate term.  In no time, we will be deciding on which back pack or lunch box to get for school.  I am not ready for that.  I just want time to slow down a bit.  Waaaaaaay down.

Dear Mills,
You are the most amazing little gift that we have ever been given. Your bright blue eyes light up the skies.  We love your sweet little lips, your head FULL of blond hair, and your sweet little square feet.  Oh those feet!  The best feet for playing "piggy went to market."  You love it!  Your sweet kisses, Eskimo kisses, hugs, and pats on the back (you get that from your Mommy) just tickle our souls.  You are getting to be such a big boy, Mills.  Mommy doesn't know how much longer she will be able to carry you, because you are as solid as a rock, even though you are losing your "baby fat".  Daddy and I love it when you scream our names with excitement.  Its the best sound we've ever heard.  Seeing you run for your daddy, when he has been at work all night, makes me smile.  Your daddy loves to see you too!

We are amazed at how fast you catch on to things.  Seeing you grow and learn is an awesome experience.  You show or tell us something new every day.  There is still so much for you to learn and experience, and we pray that God will bless you each and every day.  We pray for your protection, your wisdom, and for the decisions that you will make as you grow up. 

We still look at you in awe, just as the day you were born and cannot believe that you are ours.  You are one of God's many miracles, and we feel so blessed that he gave you, our miracle, to us. 
Happy birthday sweet Millso!  We love you to the moon and back!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

At two:

• Height 34.5" (65%), Weight: 30lbs (75 %), Size 2T clothes, shoes 5.5 and 6.  You checked out in the awesome category at the doctor yesterday, just after going around the waiting room and literally giving every one there a high-five, but did not like having your finger pricked.  Poor little guy!  Mommy hated watching you go through that, but you loved Dr. O!
• You can finally acknowledge "yes" by either saying "okay" or nodding your head.  We were wondering about that!?
• For some reason you have started saying, "Awwww, wass wong?" (what's wrong?), and "What happen?" (happened) in the most adorable tone ever.  You are talking up a storm, Mills!
• You went to your first real deal movie, Winnie the Pooh."  You were afraid of the dark theater at first, but came around when the previews started. You just sat there in awe, as quiet as a mouse. Then we had to take you out several times, because you would not sit still, wanted to crawl in the floor (yuck), and no matter how many snacks we packed, you did not want any of them.  Popcorn cured the matter.  The movie was too cute and you watched most of it,  but I think it will be a while before we go back.  We should have known. ha!
• You have become quite the little helper around the house.  No matter what mom and dad do, you always "On do it!"  (Want to do it). I caught you trying to clean my wood blinds the other day with the swiffer duster.  It would have been great, but they are a bit to fragile for you yet.  Just wait, I'll be BEGGING you to clean house in a few years.
• Bedtime and nap time are getting harder by the week.  You do not want to go down and get very upset.  This is a major turn around for you.
• Potty time:  you are still not quite ready for potty training, even though you have went in the toilet a few times.   Some times you tell us that you have to go and run to the toilet, only for us to find that you have already done your deed in your diaper.  I think you know that there are M&Ms in there as a reward, but we are strict to not give them unless something goes into the toilet.  Most of the time, you just go in your diaper like normal, but we are finding that your diapers are at times starting to be dry after nap time.  Go Mills!  ***Potty training advice is strongly welcomed from any of you moms and dads out there!  HELP!***