Happy Birthday! My Lil Man Turns 2!

Today, my lil man turns 2 years old. I think every parent will agree with me ~ Time flies!

I just can’t believe how quickly this past year has gone. It’s such a strange thing feeling that the year has gone so quickly yet I feel my pregnancy has gone so slowly.

Anyhow, I wanted to write a little letter to my lil man today, so here goes.

My Dearest Lil Man:

Happy Birthday! You turn two today.

You’ve grown so much this year especially the last few months! You’ve lost your baby fat. Started saying new words. Even the doctor said you’ve become a big boy in six months when we went for a sick visit because you were so calm letting her check your ears, eyes & mouth.

I wanted to document your milestones for you today because one day you too will be a parent and I know you’ll want to know what you could do when you were two. Mostly… I wanted to document your speech progress you’ve made since you were 18 months because you weren’t saying or signing much when you were 18 months. But, you’ve progressed a lot after our vacation to London during the month of February.

Things you can say:

• Shoes
• Socks
• Water – in Chinese. You say “wah” in English
• Please
• Bird
• Blue
• Green
• Egg – you say “E”
• Feet – you say “eet”
• Bag
• Car – in Chinese & English
• Give – in Chinese
• Ball – in Chinese & English (very similar sounds)
• Dad – in Chinese = Baba
• Mama – although you like calling me Baba anyway
• Grandma – in Chinese (Mama’s mom)
• Big Brother – in Chinese (for cousin V)
• Big Sister – in Chinese (for cousin V’s cousin J)
• Joe – for Uncle Joe
• Shoot
• No
• Cup – in Chinese
• Sorry
• Baby – in Chinese (Bebe)
• Dog
• Nose
• Mouth
• Chin
• Teeth
• Eyes
• Cheek
• Cheese
• Keys
• Oh man
• Map
• Moon
• Star
• Fish – in Chinese
• Bear
• Nine
• Eight
• Go
• Bee
• Banana – although you say “na-nana” or “nana”
• Apple – you say “pull”
• Duck
• Pig
• Chicken – you say “chick”
• Me
• Shhhh (as in whisper)

Things you can sign:

• Thank you
• Giving flying kisses
• Please
• Bird
• Like
• Want
• Car
• Bike
• Drink
• Eat
• Train
• Friend
• More
• Ball
• Bath
• Airplane
• Play
• Bye
• Clean
• Dirty
• Chicken
• Help
• Socks
• Sleep
• Yes
• No
• I don’t know
• I’m thinking
• Baba
• Bear
• All done
• Sorry
• Baby
• Stop
• Go
• Read
• Book
• Me
• Be quiet (speak silently or whisper)
• Hurt

Other signs you recognize when I sign them:

• Spin
• Alphabets E, L, O, M, S, A
• Big Hug
• Sad
• Excited

Even though you don’t say a lot of words, we know you understand what we’re saying to you. For example:

• You answer questions through expression & some words.
• You give our things when we ask for them – like picking up a cup or putting thing away.
• When you hear action words whether in Chinese or English you follow with the action, ie: dance, jump, spin, catch, roll, pretend (to be a frog, bunny or dog), throw, be gentle, be quiet, I’m hurt, wear/take off your shoes or socks
• You give hugs & kisses when asked (if you’re feeling happy).
• You know what “clean up” is.
• You know your colors in Chinese and English.
• You recognize the numbers 9 & 8.
• When we ask you what animal something is you recognize it by pointing to it, ie: if we ask which one is the caterpillar between two things you can point to the caterpillar.
• When you see a picture of a radio you do the movement for “dance”

Things you love to do:

• Dance
• Music
• Sing
• Jump – especially off the sofa
• Throw
• Talk to Great Grandma on the phone
• Pretend to type on a computer keyboard
• Run

I’m not listing all these things to brag about what you can do. When you were 18 months, I was worried you didn’t seem like you were progressing with sign language or talking. Your doctor said we shouldn’t worry and we would see how you do when you’re 2 years old. She was right. You have come so far since your 18 months doctor visit even though you aren’t talking as much as other two year olds. You’ll continue to progress at your own pace and this is ok because everyone is different & learns at different paces. So, I want you to know Baba and I are very proud of you for what you can do and because you are you. We love you very much and always will. Happy Birthday Wor Jai.

Love,

Baba and Mama