Dear Jude: 2.5

Dearest, darling Jude Monroe,

Today you are two and a half years old, happy half birthday!  I frequently have to remind myself that you aren't three yet, I just round you up in my mind. You are such a darling boy and we are so thankful for you and your impish little personality!

At two and half, you are a big boy!  I don't know how much you weigh or how tall you are, but you stand as tall as several three year olds we know and you are just a solid little boy. You are also as tough as they come, I guess if you're going to be rowdy you have to be tough. Nothing gets you down for long and you can jump, climb, and run just as well as Liam. 

You have an excellent attention span and love to read books and watch shows on the iPad or television. Your favorite book is "Love is a Handful of Honey," and you love to watch "Paw Patrol," "Bubble Guppies," and our beloved "Yo Gabba Gabba." You love puzzles and are really good at building the train tracks for yourself. Recently,  you've really taken off with imaginary play and can entertain yourself pretty well. 

Judesy, your temper is a force to be reckoned with. You have no patience for not getting what you want and you believe an appropriate response to any injustice is shrieking at the top of your lungs and throwing yourself to the ground. So that's fun. You make up for this with your charming smiles and sparkly eyes. You know what you want and you aren't willing to settle, we are choosing to embrace this character trait of yours and can hopefully cultivate it for good. 

You are still the snuggliest little boy on the planet and might as well be a lap dog. If anyone is sitting, you are sitting in their laps. I really hope you don't grow out of this any time soon. 

Favorites at the moment: the color purple, stars (the shape), transportation toys, popcorn, yogurt, Incy Wincy Spider, rain boots, and Bunny. Bunny is your favorite thing, and has to come everywhere with us. You take care of bunny like a baby doll, we pretend to change diapers, you feed him, rock him, and wrap him in blankets. You also frequently whisper, "I got you, bunny," while patting his back which is pretty adorable. If you're separated for any period of time you greet him with as much enthusiasm as if it had been years. Such a precious relationship. 

Unfavorites at the moment: anyone having bare feet, having to share the iPad, blueberries, riding in the stroller, holding hands, being told no, and being helped with anything. 

Judes, we love you so much more than words can say. We are so incredibly grateful to have the privilege of being your parents and being on the receiving end of all of the love you have to give. You are so precious to us, sweet baby Jude. 

Love you forever, and ever,

Momma