James is 2 Years Old! 2013

James is two years old! I wouldn't exactly say it's flown by like everybody says it does, but maybe the more years that pass the faster it feels?

James, a week before his second birthday

A year ago, James turned a year old, and the following week we had his first birthday party at home on Long Island. I compiled a picture from each of the first 12 months of James's life. He had already been walking for about 3 months, so we planned and set off for an 18-day Southeast Roadtrip. James turned 13 months old in Columbus, South Carolina of all places. Back then he said 4 words: mama, dada, no, and leche (milk).

James at 13 Months, May 20

When James turned 14-months he started bringing us his books to read to him. Only one month after returning home from our 18-day Southern roadtrip, Kevin, James and I left home for a 10-day Northern roadtrip. So at only 14 months he had been to 14 states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, DC, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The most interesting baby at 14 months old, June 21

James turned 15 months old, he went to his 15th state, Maryland, and watched his first Summer Olympics.

James surprised to turn 15 months, July 20

Shortly after James turned 16 months, we took him to Manhattan for the first time. He went to Times Square and Central Park. Back then, he knew about 10 words.

James at 16 months in Times Square

By the time James turned 17 months he could say about 20 words. James turned a year and half old while Janice was here visiting and we took him for his first subway ride in Manhattan so we could go visit Christina and Hudson.

Janice and I are co-moms for 18-month-old James

We lost power from Superstorm Sandy on the Monday of the storm, and we braved it at home  without power Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday afternoon we drove up to Ash's house, and since it was Halloween so we dressed up James and let him run around. We didn't get power back until the following Sunday. When we returned, James went to his first Presidential election. He only voted symbolically.

James second Halloween was during Hurricane Sandy

At the farm with Ash, because we lived with her for a long time

Shortly after James turned 19 months old, Kevin, James, and I spent Thanksgiving with Kevin's family on Cape Cod.

Thanksgiving in Cape Cod

James turned 20 months old and was saying more and more words.We spent Noche Buena and Christmas morning on Long Island with my mom, and some days after Christmas with Kevin's family in Cape Cod.

Christmas Eve at home, James is 20 months old

Kevin, James, and I watched the second inauguration of President Obama together on TV. James turned 21 months old and started saying two words together. Later, we took James to the American Natural History Museum in a mistaken attempt to expose him to things.

James touching dinosaur feet at ANHM, 21 months old

James discovers Peeps at 22 months old.

Shortly before he turned 23 months, James celebrated 2nd St. Patrick's Day. Before Easter with Nana, James got his first real haircut.

First haircut at 23 months

At 23 months, on March 28, James said his first sort of sentence, "Where Dada go?" At first I thought it was a fluke, but in the month that followed his talking really took off. He quickly followed it with "I see Goofy," (on TV) and then he started pointing all the things he could see and name in the formulaic sentence, "I see X." After that he started repeating sentences and words he'd heard us say in the past two months-- even when we hadn't recently said it. Some of his favorites include "Get down, Fudgie!" (which he learned from Janice) and "Get out of here!" (We do not encourage him saying the the latter.) Happy birthday, James! It feels like you're officially a little kid now-- running around, talking, demanding stuff you want, and playing pretend. We love you so much!

 

James on his 2nd birthday, by Herring Run