your twenty-fourth month

Two years had passed us by in a flash.

And it was simply incredible to think you were turning two

and really becoming a proper little boy

and no longer a baby.

In your twenty-fourth month

you decided to say goodbye to another 'baby thing'

as you said goodbye to nappies in the day time.

We had embarked on potty training

with the attitude that we would see how it went

but with no pressure.

But we should have learnt by now really

that when you decided to do something

you would just do it.

So after one day you'd stopped the constant little accidents

and learned to control your bladder.

By day two you had cracked getting to the potty in time.

And in the days that followed it was just a case of practising.

You weren't dry at night just yet

and you still needed a bit of help getting your trousers and pants up and down,

but you had it sorted otherwise.

And we were ridiculously proud and happy 

to have ticked another thing off the list

before you turned two.

You had always been a real bookworm

but you had started to become really obsessed with books.

As we got you ready for bed each night

we would ask which story you would like before bed

and you always knew exactly which one you wanted.

The Gruffalo's Child was a clear favourite,

as were Monkey Puzzle, Giraffes Can't Dance and We're Going On A Bear Hunt.

You would even join in with some stories

and could flick through a book telling yourself the story

by using the pictures and the pieces of text you remembered.

We had some snow

and unlike the year before when you had been a little unsure,

this time around you loved it.

You squealed with delight as you rode on the sledge,

you loved the footprint you could leave in the fresh snow,

you were fascinated by the white world and just kept shouting "Mummy. Daddy. It's snowy!"

You loved it so much

that coming in from playing out in it made you cry

and only your first taste of hot chocolate could calm you.

Hot chocolate was a big hit,

no great surprise there.

You had really grown into your role as a big brother

and we were so proud watching you with your sister.

She was the first person you asked for in the morning

and you were constantly making sure she had toys and blankets.

You would really make each other laugh now

and at bath times you were just adorable

as you would laugh as she splashed you

and she would laugh as you tickled her.

What an amazing second year we had had together.

You were an incredible kid and you made us so proud of you.

We love you beautiful boy,

forever and ever.