Second Year Update

Here we already are with a two year old.  And we haven't broken him yet.  Things are looking up.

Let's look back at our dear friend Mr. Elephant (and Palmer):

One Year:

 One and a Half Years:

Two Years Old:

Two-Year Stats:

Height: 36.5 inches, (93rd percentile)

Weight: 30 lbs, 14 oz, (80th percentile)

Head: 48 cm, (30th percentile)

Number of Teeth: 16

Likes:

ALL THINGS TRANSPORTATION:  But especially fire trucks and golf carts.  Palmer is very directionally inclined and is quick to tell me in the car which way we can find a "fire house for the fire trucks that are night night" (Let me translate: I told Palmer the fire trucks sleep at the fire house.) Palmer is also really into trains, or "choo choos", and I plan to get him a train table around Christmas when his coordination is a bit more developed.

Every day when I pick Palmer up from school, I ask, "What did you do today?"  You can almost bet he will say, "CARS!"  I told the teacher this once and she was quick to assure me they don't play cars all day.  Too bad, because Palmer would love it!

BICYCLES:  Thank goodness we live in Texas where the weather is so gorgeous most of the year.  Palmer loves to ride outside in our driveway or sidewalk or back porch on one of his many bicycle options.

PIZZA AND ICE CREAM AND CEREAL:  If you ask Palmer what he wants for dinner, he will probably tell you pizza or ice cream or cereal.  I've noticed he especially loves to eat things out of a bowl with a spoon.  So, yogurt, soup, ice cream, and cereal are clear winners.  And who doesn't like pizza?!?

ALL THINGS GOLF:  The obsession with the golf cart has not died.  Palmer will also tell you if we pass by a golf course.  Rick is good about taking Palmer out to the course for nine holes or so.  Palmer is in heaven on the cart with his own club and ball.  He knows basic golf rules:  Don't touch other people's balls.  Use a driver and a tee at the tee box and a putter on the green.  Rake the sand when you get out.  Wave down the drink lady for a treat.

CAR WASHES:  A quick way to Palmer's heart is to go thru a car wash.  That's a guaranteed 3 minutes of fun.  Palmer is also quick to tell you in the car if we are approaching a nearby car wash.  My car is really clean.

BOOTS: I've mentioned before that Palmer is a huge fans of his boots from Uncle Luke. The highlight of Palmer's weekend might be that he gets to wear them as he can't wear them to school.

SWIMMING: I enrolled Palmer in swimming lessons back in January and he gets so excited on the days we go swimming.  In fact, one day on the way to school I mentioned that we were going swimming after school.  When we got to the intersection of the pool, Palmer said, "This way.  This way."  I told Palmer we would go to the pool AFTER school.  He cried all the way to school, cried as we walked to his room, and continued to cry in his classroom.  I apologized to the teacher and quickly dashed away.

New Skills:
NAME:  At some point, Palmer learned his first name and last name.  Lately, he has been talking in the third person about how "Palmer Jordan and Mommy are going swimming" or whatever.  He also calls me "Mommy Bethany Jordan" and Rick "Daddy Rick Jordan".  He thinks it is HILARIOUS when I call him "Palmer Thomas Jordan".  I love that he thinks I'm funny.

VOCABULARY:  Palmer's language and sentence lengths amaze me every day.  He is a talker AND a repeater.  I love hearing what's on his mind.  And I know the language will grow by leaps and bounds in the coming year.

COUNTING:  I recently heard Palmer playing with his toys and count all the way to TEN.  I had no idea he could count that high.  Then, his teacher told me he counted to TWELVE the other day. 

LETTERS:  Aunt Amanda bought us some cool bath letters for Christmas.  Rick is in charge of bath time and they have been playing with the letters lately.  Rick and I were impressed that Palmer will see an "A" and say, "A Apple", or "M Mommy" for M, or "B Bear for B".  He knows way more than we imagined.

Dislikes:

BROCCOLI AND CHEESE:  Palmer is a great eater.  But, the other day he told me, "No broccoli, Mommy".  Another day I was cooking in the kitchen and he asked for some of what I was chopping.  I said, "Here is your cheese."  Palmer replied, "EWWWW, cheese!"   Well, excuse me.

ART PROJECTS:  Palmer's teachers tell me he doesn't mind art projects, but I don't believe him.  I have a heck of a time getting Palmer to sit down and do a craft.  And when we get crayons at a restaurant, Palmer always eats them.  Yum.

Sometimes, I just want to freeze the time.  My mom will be quick to tell you I've always had a place in my heart for toddlers.  I just love these days.  Palmer is sweet and funny and independent and strong and fearless.  He makes us laugh every day and we love having him in our family.

Happy Birthday, Palmer.

-Bethany