James is 2!!!

Time is weird. I feel like James has been with us forever, yet to think 2 years have gone by is crazy! When I look at Davis it seems like such a long time ago that James was this small. And then it makes me sad to think how fleeting these years really are. 2 is a hard stage. I am just going to state that fact. We have meltdowns galore and there is quite a power struggle going on at times. Yet 2 can be fun! This kid is such a crack up and it's funny because he thinks so too. He will just laugh and laugh at himself. He finds himself quite entertaining. Which is a good thing! He can amuse himself well. He is aware though of when I am trying to get things done. If I try to work while he is awake he will come over and try to get me to step away from the computer. I am sorry to say the movie Cars has become a friend to both of us. When Davis was born, I would pop in the movie (since it is the only kids movie we have besides The Last Unicorn and he is a little young to fully appreciate that one) while I was nursing to distract James from the fact that the baby was getting so much attention. It seemed to work because he does not seem very jealous of Davis and now that nursing sessions are much shorter (thank goodness they get more efficient with time) James can entertain himself with toys instead.  But now Cars is also used when I have a lot of work I need to get done. I work from home and the way things work is it's feast or famine. Some days I have no work at all and then other days I have 5 hours of work to fit into the day. Some days he just asks to watch Cars, but I try to reserve the TV for times it is really needed and not just because. Anyway... as a result he loves Mack and Lighting McQueen. If he see's them anywhere we go, he gets all excited. I was at Target and they had soup that was Cars themed. We HAD to buy it and I must say he ate all his dinner that night. Eating can be a battle at this age and I am grateful when he can eat a good meal with little resistance. He likes using a fork and spoon and although it is messy, I try to let him do it as much as possible. 

James is using more words, which is a relief. He is still a little delayed in his speech so we have a friend who is going to trade me speech for pilates. It works out well for all of us :) We had him evaluated to get free speech through the county and he missed it by 1%. I am not to worried about it and know it will come in time, but it is nice to have someone who is a professional who can work with him. I am hoping it will cut down on some melt downs when he can communicate better. A few words he just started saying these past 2 weeks are please, thank you, shoes, car, bra (yeah not sure how he picked up on that one). His favorite things to say are "no, mine, baby and boo-ya!" The first two are my least favorite!!!

What he is lacking in verbal skills he makes up for in physical activity. This kid likes to move. He is a busy boy and loves to run and climb. The picture above is of him just running around at the park by our house. He could do this all day. He has started to take more of an interest in coloring and played well with playdough the other day while I was making bread. He was kneading the "dough" like mommy.James loves giving kisses and can be so sweet. I love when he will just randomly run up to me and hug my legs. There are so many special moments at this age, I hope I can remember them through the harder ones. 

His stats at his 2 year check up:

26 lbs (he finally got out of the 10th percentile and moved into the 25th!)

36 inches (90th percentile)

James loves to swim. On this day I forgot his swim suit and he had to go in just a swim diaper. At least I remembered that! I love this picture. Wish you could see his face. He is filled with so much joy when he is in the pool.

We had a Cars birthday party for him on Fathers Day since most of the family was gathering anyway. I figure his 3rd birthday we will have a party with friends. As for know, we stick with the family parties.

 The Hexberg Men

James getting some help blowing out his candles from his dad and cousins

 Grandma Davis and Davis. Not the best picture of them but wanted to post it anyway.

 I have a feeling Hunter and Davis will be good buddies. They were wearing similar outfits so I wanted to get a picture. Hunter decided that Davis looked tasty and wanted to eat him!

 James got a lot of great gifts. He loves them all!

On his birthday he got a Mack and McQueen toy from us along with the movie Cars 2.

Our friends Ruby and Harvey had invited us to the Huntington Library in Pasadena for a members event there. It was a lot of fun! There was a lot of people and everyone brought picnics to enjoy out on the lawn while a band played. We walked (James ran) around the gardens and danced to the music. We even got to ride on a golf cart which was a highlight of the evening for James. That and having a big piece of cake! Can you tell this kid likes sugar? He gets that from his dad. 

Happy Birthday James! We love you so much.