andhannie: two year update

These are the photos that Auntie Raenie was able to capture of Dare on his 2nd Birthday

Dare has grown so much in the past 6 months... it's unbelievable! He talks all the time, using full sentences and very clear dictation. I'm not saying he's a prodigy, because he still has those times where there are phrases that he uses, and you really have to tune in, and listen to understand what he's trying to say. But, overall, he's quite the little legible chatterbox! He says things like: "Thanks for dinner mommy, or Thanks for dinner daddy!" He is very good at using his manners of: please, thank you, excuse me, you're welcome, I'm sorry. I've been very determined to make sure that we raise a polite little boy! He is still really into balls, and loves to throw them, catch them, kick them, and rough house around any type of playing with balls! He loves to jump, which means: jump on the trampoline! Good thing Andrea and the Jacksons across the street both have trampolines! I'm not sure that the purchase of our own is anywhere in the near Baileyhood future!

He eats mostly everything we put in front of him, unless he's in "a mood". Which, those moods have been happening more and more since he's gotten closer to 2, and now that he is 2! Some days he just decides that he's going to be stubborn, and believe me, he knows how to be stubborn! He has grit, and I'm afraid he's inherited it from yours truly! I know it's good, but it sure can be frustrating at times! Especially because it comes with a huge dose of ir-rationale!
He loves his animals, the plastic ones and the real ones! Bogey, his doggy is his favorite. But, he also loves the horses and feeding apples to them! He and his daddy take drives all around Bountiful while mommy takes a shower on Friday and Saturday mornings. Their favorite places to navigate are to see the llamas and the horses! Even before they arrive at the destination, Dare knows right where they are, and will start talking about what they are approaching, even before you can see it in the line of vision! He's pretty funny!

It's hard to sit here and try to think of all the words that he says, because I don't think there's many that he doesn't say. Even if he slaughters them a little bit, nothing holds him back from conversation! If we want him to say it, we say it, and then he repeats it! He's really observant, and very in tune to his environment. One thing that he says that is so cute, is often we will ask him a question, which requires a yes or no, and when he replies "yes" he says it like "zehess". He does seem to have a little bit of a lisp, which I'm sure is partly due to his major obsession to the binkie! We are not that worried about it thus far, as he still is very young, and learning to phase out of it gradually. He is getting better and better at understanding when it is appropriate to have a binkie, and when it isn't. Mostly he wants it at naptime and bedtime. But, he also will beg for it when he's tired or frustrated. And, I'm not going to lie, sometimes as a parent I just want to "put a plug in it"!

Overall, Dare is a very happy and content little boy! He is very adaptable to any environment, and doesn't seem to be bothered by change of atmosphere or people. He will present as a little timid when in a new situation, or when transitioning from one place to the next. But, after he warms up, he fits right in, and wants to be a part of whatever is going on! Ryan and I feel very blessed to have such a little treasure in our lives! He has brought so much happiness and so much joy to us in these two short years! We never could have predicted what a constant ray of sunshine he would be when we were trying for all of those difficult years to have him! The end result was very worth all of the pain and frustration! We look forward to the next 12 months of his life, and soaking in all of the little tiny moments. Those that to some on the outside may seem very trite, but to us on the inside, the most important things that could ever be happening in that very moment!

We are so grateful to have Dare in our family; for without him, the Baileyhhood that is today, would not truly exist, or be even as close to as much excitement and fun!

Mommy and daddy love you little D!