Time Flies

I signed up for this blog with great ambitions of writing you on a regular basis and keeping track of all those little milestones that constitute your development. Your father might say that this ambition has fallen into the same category as kickboxing, squash, biking, rollerblader and soon-to-be fishing. At least my closet of failed endeavors is large. :)

You are almost two years old now; a precocious, curious, destructive, loving toddler. You are talking non-stop, constructing more and more complex sentences. This does not stop short of repeating the profanities that your mother and father say occassionaly. Your love of sports clearly a sign of what is to come - you love your football, basketball and golf clubs and repeatedly ask for "remote" "turn football on". You are your Bapa's great grandson. The terrible twos have definitely reared its head and you continue to demonstrate your independence and likes/dislikes with great vigor (i.e. yelling and throwing tantrums). You are a master of puzzles and blocks; as long as you can have the satisfaction of destroying what you have built. Clearly, your propensity for order (inherited from your father's side) is at war with your love of chaos (inherited from your mother's side). Your understanding of humor is also developing - from abstractions in books (like in your gorilla books), to playing with your parents "One More", to sneaking around (need to get this on video). You continue to make me laugh.

All these characteristics are begininning to define your character. However, the thing that I love most about you is your big heart. You love to snuggle and are needy for affection. Much to my chagrin, the first time you expressed your love, it was "I love you, dada", but I've since forgiven you (though it required a "I love you, mama" and many kisses). Recently, we were in Dallas for Christmas and your empathy became more apparent. You took good care of your Nana and Bapa bringing them toys and food, and as Bapa left, you hugged him and said, "I love you, Bapa".

You are also eager to shower (smother) your brother with kisses. On September 29, 2009, we introduced you to the newest member of the family, Alexander Augustus. The 2 weeks after Alex's birth (via cesarean) were the hardest for me because I could hold Alex but could not hold you. You did not understand this and acted out of jealousy and anger. Since then, you have acclimated well to having a brother - you kiss him and sing to him. Of course, there are still the occassions where you hit him and try to strangle him but I'm sure this will get better with time!?! :)

I love you, Maximus Sterling Burger (aka Max, Maxican, Little Man, Bubba, Little Bug, etc.). Can't wait to see you grow even more in the new year!