There are so many things I want to remember about this stage. I know there will come a time when I can hardly believe that he was this small (even though right now I think he is SO big), and I will have forgotten all the little quirky things that he does. I feel like I have forgotten all the infant stuff already. It goes by too fast!

So here is what I want to remember about George at 2 and a half years old.

I want to remember that he pronounces his friend’s name Henry like Honey.

I want to remember that he loves to sing Maroon Five. He also will sing when we are at choir practice at church. He likes to direct too.

I want to remember that he says “Hold You” when he in fact wants you to hold him.

Even though it can be aggravating, I want to remember him being demanding and telling me to “Stop It” or how he puts his finger on my mouth and says “No Talk Mommy.”

I want to remember that we have crossed the potty training bridge, and that we go through a week with less accidents than there are days.

I want to remember that he has claimed it as his chore to clear the table at dinner, and how Tom and I hold our breath that he doesn’t break any dishes when he throws them in the sink. He also has taken this task because he knows we will come play much sooner if we are done with dinner. Sometimes he tries to take our plates before we are actually done eating…

I want to remember that every morning on our drive into town I get a new story about the Paw Patrol gang as he reads to me from his favorite book about his puppy pals.

I want to remember that he knows the difference between plane tracks in the sky and actual clouds.

I want to remember how serious his face gets when he is playing hard or learning something new.

I want to remember that bedtime reading takes close to 45 minutes because while we start with two books (one that he picks out and one that I pick out) we end up reading at least 3 more books because “one more mommy.”

I want to remember how emphatically he says tractor. He purses his lips and says it from his gut without moving his teeth. His love for these machines grows every day.

I want to remember how Tom and I cannot contain our laughing when George says bridge. It sounds like a bad 5 letter word…

I want to remember how he asks for “nuggles and cuddles.”

I want to remember his new favorite game is face planting on the couch. He stands at the end, and puts his arms to his sides while I put my arms up to signal him to get ready. Then we both count to 3 and scream go. Then when my hands go down he trust falls into a face plant on the couch. This kid.

I want to remember how he says chocolate=chalket.

I want to remember how he tries to be a helper…most of the time.

I want to remember how he cheers for himself when he is done with brushing his teeth, getting a puzzle done, or he successfully went on the potty. “YAY! I did it!”

I want to remember how he wants to inspect his “big ol’ poops” and how he is so proud of himself that he got it out.

Continuing with the potty theme, I want to remember that his poop time is always hilarious. Either he has to squat so he can bend over and watch it come out, or he has to hug me or Tom while he is squeezing the turd out and coaches himself through the process. “I trying. I do it.” He also likes to coach when Daddy and Mommy are on the potty too. He pulls up a stool, sits, and says “You go poop Mommy? You do it. I flush it.”

I want to remember that when I give him a bath he tries to give me mini heart attacks by actually laying face down and swimming in the water. He never does this when Tom gives him a bath…

I want to remember how he loves doing puzzles. We have a Thomas the Train one that we do no fewer than 5 times a day. He will get it all together, say “I did it,” then break it all up and start it over immediately. And the Thomas one has to be out all the time otherwise he panics, “Where Thomas?”

I want to remember how he protects the babies at his sitter’s house. He won’t let any of the other boys come near them.

I want to remember how he plays with my hair as I sing to him goodnight.

I want to remember how he kisses my belly to talk to his sister.

I want to remember that he is still sleeping in a crib. Why my crazy adventurous little man has never attempted to climb out of cribs is beyond me. But we will continue to take it for the next couple months before we move it to DC’s room and we transition him to his new big boy room.

I could keep going…There are so many things as I go through our days that I never want to forget. I know he won’t stay little forever ever, but this here will help me remember how sweet and fun this stage was. While we do have our challenging moments where we are both fighting for control of the situation, mostly he is a sweet sweet boy who loves to take the world in around him.

So happy half birthday my little booger. It’s hard to believe that it has only been 2.5 years since you entered this world, yet at the same time it’s like you have always been here. I love you more and more every day!