Little man is 2.5

I must say that 2.5 has been a confusing age for me...one minute I am hysterically laughing and the next minute I'm saying a prayer for patience.  Mateo is so full of life and soaks up all that is around him.  He has a zest for life that I try to learn from.  His curiosity and wonder is contagious.  He's constantly making me want to figure things out with him.  From the time he gets up in the morning, he's chatting (this is not an exaggeration) and on the move.  Even though he is always running, moving, and exploring he is also so patient.  He can figure out puzzles like a champ and has more patience trying to figure things out than I do.  I often need to remind myself to let him do it himself, because he does figure it out sooner or later.  One of my favorite things about this age has been seeing his personality bloom.  He is funny...so funny.  He doesn't even mean to be.  It's common for me to look in the review mirror and see him dancing in his seat...and it is hilarious.  He is a very serious dancer.  I also love hearing the phrases he picks up throughout the day.  Last week the phrase was "I'm shot" when he was tired....hilarious coming from a toddler who gets plenty of sleep.  He may or may not have picked that phrase up from his momma.  Even though I dread hearing "MOMMY-A" in the middle of the night.  His sweet snuggles he gives make me forget that I'm tired.  At least until morning and I have to get up!  I do treasure these sweet times.  And as I looked back at pictures from the last half year, I'm amazed at how much he has changed already.

I'm just so proud of the little man he is becoming.  He is so much like his daddy, yet has a cuddly, soft side he gets from me.  He is smart, funny, loving, kind, full of life, ornery, intense, and so much more.  I'm so blessed that Mateo is our son, and that he was given to us to mold and shape.  My prayers for the next half year are that he continues to be healthy and happy, and with each day gain a deeper love for our creator.

I love you sweet Mateo.

Common Phrases:

"Last week..." when he's explaining anything that happened in the past 2 minutes

"Peace guys!" (as he gives the peace sign)

"High five, dad!  Boom, dad!  Big hugs dad!"

"Hey neighbors!"  He is obsessed with our neighbors and greets them every time he sees them!  He runs right over for hugs and high fives and tells everyone about his neighbors, Bella (pronounced Bellya), Noah (pronounced No-yah), and Sydney.

"Go Tigers" and "Go Bucks" yes we are training him right 

"Why?"
"E-ern" which really means either, and it's not always used correctly which I find adorable, because he has all of the confidence that it is used correctly

His Loves:

-  his mom and playing with her hair

-  being outside, especially in the woods

-  his neighbors

-  riding the Gator and 4 wheeler 

-  puzzles (and man is he good at them)

-  playing iPad, especially PBS Kids

-  tractors and trucks

-  his paci and popsicles

-  exploring and asking why t learn about everything
-  dancing (especially when he's in his carseat)
-  riding his tricycle
-  playing baseball (he can hit like a champ!) & soccer

-  figured out daddy's name is Jeremiah, and uses it frequently

-  big boy underwear (yes...we've 1/2 way got potty training down)

Beginning to really use his imagination.  Here he is
"riding a horse".

Learning to be independent.  And these are his most favorite shoes that
he will wear with anything.

Love that he sees the beauty in the world, and takes time
to stop and smell the flowers.

Playing in the rain.

Random neighbor cat he loves to snuggle & chase.

Love the excitement his eyes express.

Loves his "das".  Climbed up on his changing table to grab it.
I know...where's mom, right!?

Learning to play hide-and-seek with the neighbor girl.
Here he is "hiding"

Loving on the baby.  He's going to be such a good big brother.

Stretching with daddy 

Blessed