wait, don't grow up yet!

*warning i'm in a very sappy place these days. apologies. blame hormones*

i feel like atticus is at this stage where i would just drink him in forever if i could. yes, he has his meltdowns and yes, they can be epic. but they also can be a teaching lesson for all of us. i have learned (finally) to react in calm tones and explain that "we don't do X, but it's okay to be upset and mama and daddy love you" until the reset button moment happens. then we can move on with a hug and a kiss and it's "all over now, let's go play with the hot wheels cars." sometimes it still doesn't work, but i've learned (again, finally) that's okay too.

overall atticus is simply a delight to be around. i would say at least 80 percent of the time, a pure delight, probably closer to 90 percent. i know i cannot say that for myself and sorry to tell you dear readers, but none of you are that delightful that much of the time.

now atticus. he is funny and sweet and cuddly and inquisitive and interested and NOSEY and BOSSY beyond belief. he asks questions and is thoughtful and sensitive and observant of the world around him. then boom, he is a wild boy, running out the front door with no shoes (or pants for that matter) and i have to remind him to slow down and be gentle and that his drum sticks are only for drumming on his drums. not his mama, his toys, the table, the sidewalk, etc, etc.

he always greets us with a huge smile, running down the hallway, a great big hug and a kiss and a "yea! mom and dad are home!" every single day. i couldn't ask for a better welcome home. he is proud of saying i love you and says it without prompting or warning.

he loves to read the same books over and over and over again, specifically begging for the little critter series the past few weeks. he loves to whisper "i was so mad" while i read "i was so mad" and spot the frog in "just me in the tub." he also likes the pete the cat series, and has been reading it aloud to us, specifically "i love my white shoes" and "old macdonald had a farm" although i'm pretty sure he thinks it's "old mcdondalds had a farm." (note: like every other toddler, the boy is a french fry fiend.)

he makes his own little jokes and has the most unexpected sense of humor of any two-year-old i ever met. he pokes gentle fun at himself and others as part of this day. he makes fun of the way he says "sand box" with this heavy o accent that comes from who knows where and laughs hysterically. he begs me to read the names of the recipes from the joy of cooking and kills himself laughing when i say "pickle sauce." he tells me how he had some of abu's iced tea and i ask, "one sip?" and he grins sheepishly and holds up his finger and says "just one sip, mom." i'll ask him a question that i know he knows the answer to and he'll say "hmmmm" and tap his finger against his lip. it kills me.

after dinner we've fallen into a routine when he plays with his cars by himself and narrates these stories in his own world. he'll ask for a snack "atticus needs a whole box of pockys" or show up at my side with books and a blanket and say "time to get warm and cozy."

bottom line, he is everything.