your twenty-sixth month

You were becoming more amazing all the time.

You seemed to be so big and clever

and with your every expanding vocabulary

we could have some fascinating conversations with you now.

You were starting to come out with words and phrases

that we knew we hadn't actively taught you,

which gave us no end of entertainment

as we sat in awe of how bright you were.

You would say "Good to see you"

if we shook hands with you,

and we had absolutely no idea where you had learned that.

You now said "No, no, no, no"

instead of just plain old "no"

and accompanied it with a dramatic, slow head shake too,

that was downright hilarious.

You had moments of really trying to assert your authority now

and while you didn't throw tantrums

you did find things quite frustrating at times.

Like the times when we asked you what you would like for lunch

and then couldn't understand why we hadn't fulfilled your request for chocolate.

And the times when a programme came on the television that you didn't want to watch

and you would start frantically saying "Where's the remote control?"

And the times when we put you in your jacket ready to go out

and you decide that you really didn't want to wear the red jacket

and so you take it off and go to find a different one instead.

You memory was absolutely fantastic

and we regularly marvelled at the things you remembered.

Sometimes you would still tell us that the "pretty trees are gone"

meaning the Christmas tree,

and you could guess with incredibly accuracy

who's house we were going to visit

by various landmarks you saw out of the car window.

You had started to memorise sections of favourite books

and could often be overheard now,

speaking aloud passages of 'The Gruffalo's Child', "Stick Man' and "We're Going On A Bear Hunt' while you played.

You were beginning to learn some letter sounds with Mummy's help

and you were doing fantastically at that.

We practised them with foam letters in the bath,

wooden letters one-to-one while your sister slept

and with iPad games.

You were just such a sponge for information at the moment

and it was brilliant to see how keen and quick you were to learn.

 You continued to be the kindest and most loving big brother ever.

And this made us so proud.

Seeing you include your baby sister while you played,

and wanting to share your toys, drink and food with her

nearly made us melt.

You loved to entertain her, cuddle her and kiss her.

So much so that if she missed and didn't kiss you right on the lips,

you would say "Oh dear, try again."

It was quite clear that you adored her

and you were her hero.