Russell is 2!

 Russell Dee,

You are 2 years old! We Can't believe you are growing so big and so fast. You weigh 27 lbs. and are    34.5 in. tall.

Your personality is blossoming! Everyday it seems you pick up on something new. You still won't say many words, you are quite stubborn when it comes to that. We know you CAN say certain words, you just won't do it. You have learned to say Choo-Choo, 'uhhh' for up, 'ahh-ahh-ahh' for Baa. 'Wa-wa' for water, 'ho-ho-ho', you blow out your mouth and lift your arm to make the elephant noise. We know you can say mama and dada but you won't say it on demand. We're trying to hard to get you to talk but we know you'll do it when you're good and ready. You understand EVERYTHING though. You'll respond to all of our questions and follow our directions. You are so smart. You know where all your body parts are and can point to anything. You have your own little language of hums and take our finger and pull us where you want us to go to get what you want.

You LOVE and want to do everything your siblings are doing. You and Abby are best friends and she takes care of you like such a good little mother hen. You love to play and wrestle with Tom, but you two but heads just like any two brothers would. You love to be part of the party. Nap time is a struggle these days because you want to stay up at play with your brother and sister. You are really good at making messes, but are also pretty good at helping to clean them up. You HATE getting your diaper changed and love to be outside, in any kind of weather.

You recently were upgraded from little brother to big brother when Baby Peter arrived on Feb. 4th. You were so excited to meet him and want to hold him ALL the time. You love holding him but don't always love it when Mom or Dad holds him. But you are a great big brother and are so excited to show Peter off to anyone who comes in the house.

Your favorite toys are cars. You can sit and play with your cars for hours. You are a good independent player but also love to join in the fun. You love to snuggle up with a soft blanket and with a stuffed animal. Often times you'll bring us a blanket and want us to wrap it around you or fold it and lay it down on the ground and you'll just lay there and snuggle on it.

We're not sure there is ever a time that you are not eating or wanting food. You LOVE to eat and will eat just about anything, dessert and treats of course are your favorite. Doughnuts being among the very top of that list! But you love anything fruit, and still love blueberries.

When the big kids are at school you and mom run errands together and get to play. You love to help with the laundry. Sometimes we play with the magnets or do puzzles. The other day you got mommy really good when she was brining in the groceries. You hid behind the chair and jumped out and roared at her. You love playing hide and scare just like Daddy and Tom and Abby.

We haven't gotten to go on many outings or vacations because of Covid! But you did switch from a rear facing car seat to forward facing and you love it! You haven't been able to go to nursery or play with other kids much, besides your siblings. But you love to play and are brave and try new things.

You are still our cuddly little guy. You want us to lay with you at night time while you fall asleep and first thing in the morning you are up and pad down the hall to our room. You slide into bed with us and cuddle up close to get warm. We love your early morning snuggles. You have quite the little temper, Russ. We're hoping that once you start communicating better you won't get so frustrated. (fingers crossed).

We LOVE you so much Russell Dee. Our family wouldn't be the same without you!