Happy 2nd Birthday, E.Bear!

Dear Effram, 

Today, you are two years old. You are napping right now with your favorite blankies. You are going to be up soon (you don't sleep as much as your sister) so I have to write this quickly. Like me, you are a very light sleeper. There's no going back to sleep once your busy little brain wakes up! Here are some photos of you today and throughout the year:

People always say, "Oh, what a cute little towhead you have there!" referring to your white-blond hair. "Tow" is a textile fiber like flax. It's soft and white. It's an old reference but people still use it. We hear it every day.

It's nice that you have hair now though. You used to be bald except for the back of your head, like Joe Biden, our current Vice President. 

You love your sister. Sometimes when you want to be alone she clobbers you. That annoys you. Most of the time you have fun and play very well together.

This is your most common expression, I think.

Some stats about you at 2: Your first love was a plastic bowling ball. For the past year, you have been obsessed with any kind of ball. You have a great arm on you and your big bear paws give you a good grip. You went onto racquetballs (but our dogs ruined those) and tennis balls (those too) and then whiffle balls. You still love balls, but your interests have broadened to the world of transportation.

Trains! You love your trains.

Also cars and buses. There are plenty of those in Chicago. You like to say hello and bye-bye to them. Helicopters too! When those noisy things fly by, you're absolutely mesmerized. Your favorite helicopter is Harold; he's a character from Thomas the Tank Engine (bit of a snob, that guy).

Trains and rocks together! Even better.

You are incredibly object-focused. You're content playing alone for hours. This bridge has been keeping you busy for a few months.

You rode the El (red line to Belmont) for the first time this summer. You went to the Pride parade with Lucy, Grammy, Kyle, and me. You hated being on the train; it was overstimulating and I think you were feeling claustrophobic. I explained that a lot of people feel that way going to and from work every day, but you didn't care.

You love watching the subway trains go by and recently you have gotten into Thomas on TV. You become emotionally involved in every episode. The first time you saw Thomas crash into the station agent's dining room, you cried. When Thomas derailed off the bridge, you were devastated. You are very empathetic. 

Here are some other interesting phases you've gone through this year:

• Stashing objects (such as crayons) into the floor registers
• Tearing the books off the bookshelves and then climbing the shelves
• Reorganizing furniture by pushing tables into different rooms
• Dumping out the dog food and stashing it into your trucks and wagons
• Climbing and dancing on tables 
• Peeling the keys off my laptop

But sometimes you are mellow. A quiet observer.

 Not everyone can make you laugh, but if someone gets it right, you really crack up!

You love stealing Mommy's beverages. (Don't judge. There was only a drop left).

You are gentle with people and love to give kisses.
You love to kiss the dogs. You kiss everything. Even rocks!

You're also a wild beast. 

I guess it fits that you were almost actually named Bear, like Bear Grylls. 

You like to examine things.

Usually, it goes like this: Examine...

Throw!

 You know how to make Lucy laugh. 

She adores you and calls you "Ebow" (E-Bear). 

You also love containers. You were quite happy with all of the golf balls in Nanny's big green yard. 

 You have always been at home in water.

Here you are dumping water on Aunt Carrie's head and cracking yourself up.

Exploring the pool at Nanny's country club

You love watching swimming and diving competitions on TV. I imagine you'll be good at both some day. You are very coordinated. You love being in water, maneuvering your body, and jumping. 

Jumping. Off of everything! 

                                         

It's been such a good year for you, EBear! You've grown into yourself. It's hard to explain to people who don't know you. You had a tough first year. It was hard for you to play and enjoy the world because you were not comfortable in your body. You had problems digesting food and had terrible stomach pains. I'm so glad that's behind you now. You're a much happier kid. You've grown into a lovely, sweet, sensitive little boy! Mommy and I think you are extraordinary! We are very proud of you and love you very much! 

Today, enjoying your birthday cupcake at Flourish bakery

Love, Mama