Jacob turned two last week. What a strange and wonderful milestone. Strange because that means he's been with us for 2 years now, changing every aspect of our life. Wonderful because...well it's wonderful. As he officially becomes a "toddler", I find myself sometimes expecting different things - big boy things. Then I remind myself that he is still mostly baby, with baby needs that he will hold on to for a long time coming. So we stand on this see-saw of toddler and baby, trying to balance opening our arms so he can reach out to big boy things and opening our arms so he can come back for a newborn-like snuggle when he needs it. Now when we leave the house, he tells me things like "bright momma, me sunglasses" or "coollddd momma" or "rain momma, hood up". When did he become so observant? Sometimes he puts on his snowboots and announces that it's time to "play snow outside". When did he get so self-sufficient? Sometimes he crawls up on the living room chair with a book. When did he become so self-reliant? Sometimes he asks to nurse when I'm the one that needs to stop doing things and sit down for a minute. How did he get so intuitive? Sometimes he pets the kitties in such a soft, gentle way, cooing to them. How did he get so loving? It all seems to have happened overnight. But it didn't. It's every moment of every day. Trips to the library, visiting friends, going to Grammie and PopPop's for dinner, trying out yoga, exercising with mommy, reading books, playing puzzles, emptying the kitchen cupboards, going to see Daddy play hockey, napping, playing with playdoh, crawling through tunnels, playing basketball with Daddy every day, eating Mexican, Chinese, pizza and fries, drawing with markers, chasing the cats....these are his every day moments that help him to learn and grow. Every day with him is a present to us - full of surprise and delight. May all of our days continue to feel like birthdays.