Our Taj is TWO years old!

Happy Birthday to our TWO year old, Taj!  My, how time flies! He's a definitely a big boy now!  I still remember when he was our little munchkin, with his chubby cheeks and dimples! Here he was at 9 months old:
Oh, and that funny "clearing of the throat" sound he would make whenever he would get super excited about something.  First word "mama" at 4 months, first tooth at 5 months, first crawl at 7 months, first steps at 10 1/2 months, first 2-word sentence at 12 months, first soccer practice at 17 months, first time becoming a big brother at 19 months, first time learning a second language (Czech) at 21 months.

So much growth and development, and becoming his own little person, Taj is now TWO years old, and we are counting his age in years!  He still has his dimples, and still amazes us every day!

Some fun facts about our 2 year old Taj:

-He's a string bean at 23.6 lbs ( 6% in weight, but 66% in height!)
-His pediatrician said he has advance verbal skills.  He speaks in 6-7 word sentences daily (and sometimes full blown paragraphs, like when he's pretend playing "Hi Puppy, how are you?  Are you hungry Puppy?  Here you go...."  If you didn't know by now, Puppy is his lovie and sense of security.  He treats him like his own baby, copying the things I do with Jax :)
-He's obsessed with the show "Little Einsteins" and sings along with it
-He LOVES classic rock.  Favorite band The Who, and favorite song "Somebody I Used to Know" by Gotye
-Is a big chicken when it comes to riding on motorized things or going on rides (basically trying anything new)
-HATES Merry Go Rounds and horses
-He's already had 4 haircuts, and his hair is turning honey blond
-Doesn't just say "yes", he says "Ohhhhh yes!"
-His favorite color is black
-Eats kefir every morning

We just can't get enough of his sweet voice and laugh, especially when we tickle him and he yells "Stop it! No, don't tickle me!", and when every morning he greets his little brother with "Good Morning Baby Jax!"

We celebrated his birthday with a special birthday breakfast at Coco's Bakery with his neighborhood buddies, then story time at the local library.  I couldn't believe how good he was at blowing out his own candle!

Then, a birthday dinner at Ruby's diner, with his girlfriend Brooklyn (our good friends Laura & Greg), where he received a special serenade by the waiters and his own hot fudge sundae.

The next morning, we continued the birthday celebration at Disneyland.  His first time in Disneyland.  Unfortunately, the "happiest place on earth" probably turned more into the "scariest place on earth!"  We got in for free and were able to go to the front of the line on each ride, thanks to Brad's sister's mother-in-law who works in D-land.  Taj's first ride was the Winnie the Pooh ride, and he screamed and cried the whole time.  Who knew Winnie the Pooh could be so psychedelic and loud!  After that experience, he just about had enough.  Grandma Sue, Poppa Gene, Aunt Sherry and the kids all joined us that day and Taj mostly enjoyed spending time with them, taking in the sights and sounds, and playing in Toon Town. If you asked him what the highlight of the day was for him he would probably say "shopping at the Disney store!"  That's where he was the most excited.... playing with the toys in the stores!  If we had known this would make him that happy, we would have taken him to the Disney Store at the mall instead, ha!  We did manage to get him on the Jungle Cruise, the Nemo Submarine ride (another scary, claustrophobic one with a lot of dark spots), and he liked watching the Star Wars show. (On a side note, Jax enjoyed all the rides and even took a 2 hour nap in the stroller!)

Amazingly, we spent close to 8 hours at the park with no nap, and Taji was thrilled to pick out toys and take a Mickey Mouse balloon home!

I hope Disneyland didn't traumatize him too much! Isn't 2 the magic number their able to really remember things from?  If so, then OOOPS.  I think we learned our lesson and will wait a few more years, then take the boys to the mother of all parks, Disney World, when they are old enough to go on the rides and really enjoy it!

Regardless, it was a fun birthday weekend for Taji, filled with his favorite foods, restaurants, little buddies, family, and a memorable weekend of celebrations :)

Dear Taj,
We are so proud of the 2 year old boy your have grown into.  You excel at everything you put your mind to, and already such a perfectionist!  You have such an endearing kind nature, never aggressive with other children (besides the wrestling with Daddy and Chloe!).   We can't believe all the things you know, understand, say, and remember.  You love the outdoors and love to swing.  You also have incredible athletic ability at such a young age.  I hope you will always be the confident, happy, and sweet boy you are today.  Its funny, even with your "terrible two" meltdowns you have with us, when you are with others they marvel at what a good boy you are and how well-mannered you are.  We want you to know today, tomorrow, next year, ten, and twenty years from now, how special you are to us, and how much you make us smile, laugh, and watch with admiration.  
We love you, Taji-Waji! - Mommy & Daddy, & little brother Jax