23 Months

While I pretend that nothing big is happing next month, let's just focus on what's already going on, shall we?

As of February 12th, AJ has been putting two words together. First, it was "Ni-night, Daddy." The following day it was "Bye, Mimi." He's even saying "love you" now!

More new, frequently used words: Awesome, milk ("momp"), balloon, gone, me, I, moon, outside ("side"), phone ("shome"), cracker, granola ("gongonc"), sorry, sit, Missy. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot, as he's repeating pretty much everything these days.

He knows many animal sounds now. This should sum it up:

As of February 13th, he can (occasionally) jump and actually get both feet off of the ground. Who knew we'd be considering that an accomplishment? Apparently it takes more coordination than it appears!

He's now asking for "momp" (milk) daily, and as long as he's eaten his food, he gets it. He is still nursing multiple times a day, sometimes asking to nurse right after he finishes a cup of "momp," so clearly this doesn't seem to be a replacement for him.

He sings! The first song he sang, on February 23rd, was "Rise" by Shawn McDonald. He sings the last word of the line: "...rise..." "...me..." So cute! On March 5th, he started singing Newsboys' "God's Not Dead" while we were eating lunch.

His sweet face right after serenading me for the first time.

He's been incessantly slipping little bits and pieces of things inside the cabinet, and apparently (as I learned today), the fridge.

Time to put those muscles to use!

His other new favorite pastime? Putting all of the couch cushions on the floor and then jumping off of the couch onto them. So funny. He'll ask "mo?" and "momp?" to see if we want him to jump again. (Yes, milk and jump are apparently very similar words. You didn't know?)

Last, but certainly not least: HE SLEEPS! That's right. Finally, at 23 months old, for almost a week now he's been falling asleep and staying that way until morning (some days 6am, some 5:30, one not-so-great 4:20am wake up, and a glorious 6:40am this morning). He's even been falling asleep without us being in the room - I just lay him down, we pray together, then I kiss him and leave him with "Goodnight, I love you" - though we do play a 10+/- minute game of "AJ, stop talking or we'll have to shut your door." All in all, I'd call this a wonderful success!

Big boy on Ford Island. The trees on this island (all of Oahu) are awesome!

Up in the branches.

Trying so hard to pull the root up.

Silly boy trying to get us with his twig.

Seeing what he can make that twig to do.

I almost can't believe how much fun this boy is to spend our days with. We love you so much, Andrew James!  More than we ever could have imagined!

 Happy 23 Months!