Dear Tristan - 2 Years, 5 Months

Dear Tristan,
You are exceptional, child. I'm not just saying that because you put your dishes in the sink without me having to tell you to, or pick up trash that you find on the floor and put it into the trashcan without being told. I'm not saying it because you jump right into bed when we ask, without a fight or a whimper, (most nights) or because you know some of your alphabet, how to hold a pencil or how to lock and unlock doors. All of this is the second child advantage. You are exceptional because your smile lights up a room and because you seem to know just when to say your sorry or when to give a hug. I have to admit after I've swept the kitchen floor and you come up to me and say, "Fank you, Mommy" my heart swells just a little bit. Mostly though, I say that you are exceptional because we are all so in love with you.

Your favorite part of the day is when Daddy comes home. Sometimes you hear a noise that sounds like the door unlocking and you freeze and gasp, "Daddy home!" and look up at me with hope. When I tell you that it's just Pippin knocking his mouse around downstairs you always look disappointed and ask if Daddy will be home soon. You cry for Daddy sometimes during the day, when I put you down for nap or have put you in time out. I've thought about teaching you the phrase, "Where is the good cop?" just so it will amuse me when you pretend I'm tormenting you by making you sit on the kitchen floor in the corner for kicking the cat.
You still scare the bajesus out of the cat and with good reason. You are obsessed with looking at his teeth. You always want to show them to me or to your brother or to anyone else that will watch you lift his lips and look at them. That cat deserves every cat treat he gets.

Finally you are independent enough that we can take you and your brother to museums without you having to be strapped into a stroller. You still try to run off, but listen to reason and the threat of the monkey leash and you fall into step. It's still difficult for us however, if your brother decides that he wants to run about a place, because you decide that's what you are also supposed to be doing and we have two children running in two different directions.

You are so full of wonder and enchantment! There is nothing like seeing the world anew through a childs eyes. There is nothing like seeing through a child's eyes a second time. I finally understand why people have 5 children. Although, my sanity is too precious to me to grant you that many siblings.

You are still quite attached to your blanket, which has been promoted from Ganky to Blankie. You'd take it everywhere if we let you, but we have you convinced that Blankie needs sleep so you are content to tuck it into bed and tell it night night when you leave the room. Now that we've taken the gate down from the bottom of the steps you still sneak upstairs and rescue Blankie from nap. You like to snuggle on the couch with it while you feed your Go, Diego Go! obsession.

Your brother won't admit it, (probably now or ever) but when you aren't around all he wants to do is know when you are going to be home again and if you are doing something that he's not getting to do. You love a laugh, a tickle, a cuddle but only for a second. You have things to do and a cat to chase, after all.

I love you so much,
Mommy