Dear Zealand at 23 months

Dear Zealand,

This is the last month of just the three of us. In just a few weeks your sister will join our family of three and you will turn two years old! You are aware that a baby is coming and that you will be a big brother, but awareness in no way can prepare any of us for the huge change. At some point soon none of us will even remember what is was like just the three of us. Well, here is my chance to record in detail from the perspective of two eyes and one undivided momma heart directed just at you.

On this cusp of your 2nd birthday, you are nothing less than a complete character: goofy, silly, serious, dramatic, daring, feisty, willful, emotional, easy going, difficult, loving, fun loving, adventurous, thoughtful, and mischievous all rolled into one. Add your favorite phrases as of late and the picture is complete. You exclaim the following with dramatic effect at least ten times per day: "My goodness, " and "Oh boy!" The other day while at Ami and Papa's house you saw the cat on the roof for the first time. You exclaimed, "My goodness." When I share an exciting plan with you - that I will be making you a birthday cake, for example, you say "Oh boy" with a big grin on your face. You also say, "Oh dear" from time to time. I am always struck how adept you are at using phrases that fit the situation so perfectly. The other day we were walking up the hill to the car in the chill of the morning. A confetti of cherry blossoms were spread on the hood of our car. I pointed out the flowers to you and you replied in a soft pitch perfect tone, "how pretty."

At this point in your life you pretty much refuse a ride in the stroller unless cajoled with promises of coconut water (your favorite drink as of late) or if you are straight out exhausted before nap time. You love to walk and large San Francisco hills do not deter. On a camping trip with your da da and on day hikes you have gone for at least a mile and a half. You prefer narrow, uneven trails deep in the forrest. I suppose it feels more interesting and adventurous for you. I love that you are a natural born hiker but at times I must admit I wish you would just go in the stroller so I can push quickly and directly to wherever we are going. You instead insist on "helping mama" by holding on to the side of the stroller and pushing it along.

Another great interest that has taken root this month, that I am especially proud of, is your interest in cooking, in particular: soup, oatmeal, and hot tea.

You love to stand on a chair next to the stove with a pot and a long handled spoon making your soup. I have a jar of old beans that we continually use and reuse for this purpose. You dump the jar into the pot and then ask for cinnamon and various other spices. I let you dump in spices that have become stale. You also ask for various cooking utensils from the utensil holder on the counter to aid you in this process. You also enjoy making "hot tea" and will pour water again and again through a coffee filter until the entire stove is sopping wet. Admittedly this is a messy process but I figure it is worth it. It is a creative and exploratory activity for you. Recently, I have started cooking in the tiny space next to you so it becomes a win win for both of us. In the morning before our outing for the day I started to prep that evening's dinner while including you. You helped to toss diced eggplant in olive oil, sprinkled them with salt, and poured milk into the saucepan. I plan to do this more and more so that you can learn and participate and well, I can get a head start on dinner! I think you are just about ready too for more advanced cooking projects - pizza, bread, and cookies. I plan to do this with you very soon.

Aside from your adventures in the kitchen, you continue to blossom in the great out of doors. Of course your father plays a huge role in this. He has taken you on a father son camping trip this month and a long day outing to the coast where you cooked dinner on the beach. Da da also takes you for long bike rides in the park and has already managed to instill a fascination with skiing in your mind. I know it is just a matter of time with that activity! On a side note, since most of my posts tend to be mommy centric - your father has been a first rate da da. It makes me so happy to watch the two of you and to know that you are benefitting from two, not just one, active and involved parents. He is so hands on with you and imparts a different energy, perspective, and lessons than I can provide. I know, especially after working with so many children without fathers as a social worker, that this makes all of the difference. For all of us.

The two of you have a wonderful relationship and already you are picking up his mannerisms. You laugh a short choppy laugh that is almost like a "ha" - something your da da does regularly with you. You have loud giggle fits together during bath time and the two of you enthusiastically build train tracks together in the living room. Something that well, I can just quite never muster the same enthusiasm for, and, you know it. Whenever you hear the key in the door you immediately drop whatever it is you are doing and shriek "da da." You race to the door and greet him with every cell in your body. I am sure there is something about the father/son relationship that I could never touch or even capture here - for it is your's alone.

This month we have spent our Wednesdays at the Randall museum for music class. The class itself has been a bust - the teacher is pretty lackluster and you are all too aware that the behind the door of the classroom is one of your favorite places to monkey around in (the Randall has a train set, live animals, a playroom, and a wide lawn and trees to play in). Your friend Julian from our mommy playgroup is also enrolled in this class and the two of you have become partners in crime in ditching music class and as you say, "running around."

Julien is just as active as you are, if not more, and the two of you tear around the joint like you own it. Once outside you race around on the grass, climb benches, and make your way down rocky trails together. You also like to hold hands occasionally and the two of you will find ways to crack each other up. It is such a joy to watch you interact with other kids in this way.

I should also add here that you are a very thoughtful and sweet boy with other children who you know and who you meet at the park. You are not one to grab toys from other children and you will often share on your own initiative when we are out and about. Often times you will spot a toy at the park unattended and look at me first and say, ya?, before diving for it. I usually give you the okay since I have come to learn that most toys in the park, unattended, are communal. You offer hugs and have never, as far as I can tell, hit or acted aggressively toward other children or towards us for that matter. You are a gentle soul.

Well little guy, I must confess. The birth of your sister interrupted the completion of this post so I am finishing this as a mother of two. And, you have already celebrated your 2nd birthday. More on both of those momentous events in your 24 month letter!

We couldn't love you more.

Love,

Mama