i'm not crying, you're crying

I've been really nostalgic and sentimental this past week.

Tommy's about to turn two, you see?

T W O.

I've been looking through all his pictures on my phone, flipping through my "Mom's One Line A Day" journal, reading my post from a year ago, and just feeling all-around weepy that time is such a thief. I mean, time has given me two years with Tommy, and it's been a wild ride, and I'm grateful for that. But I just can't get over how quickly these two years have gone.

Tommy's "terrible twos" began the day after he turned one. THE VERY NEXT DAY. He's always been a bit high-strung, but he mastered the art of tantrums much earlier than I had expected.

But he's still charming.

Can you even handle how cute he is?

Playing with Gramma O

Running from Santa Claus

Legit running from him. Can't help but think
he'll be scared of him again (still?) this year.

He's still not an awesome sleeper. Shouldn't a kid his age be sleeping through the night by now? Like, every night, unless he's sick or something? Anyway, I'm permanently exhausted.

But he's also such a sweet fellow, and we're getting the tantrums under control, and he's such a dashing thing, AND HIS CHEEKS ARE STILL SQUISHY AND KISSY! Plus, he'll usually kiss me on the mouth when I ask politely, he's a good cuddle buddy, and he makes me laugh every single day.

Sharing Dad's breakfast smoothie.

Living his best life: pants less and napping.

I wonder how long he'll let this tradition continue...

Boy always has bruises up and down his shins.

He rarely rides on Dad's shoulders, but when he does, he pulls his hair.

He likes to "tex Papa" with millions of emojis.

Note to self: always have animal-foot slippers for Tommy to wear.

Eating outside is preferable to eating inside.

More Cheetos, please!

I'm not sure what was happening when Andy snapped this picture,
but I LOVE IT.

A not-so-rare tantrum caught on camera.

Screaming because Dad had the audacity to quit hiking and head home.

11:00 church is rough for a tired little boy
(and his Momma).

If he wasn't wearing a swimsuit, he'd likely be drenched.

Throwing rocks at Tony Grove.

Beautiful boy and a lollipop.

A Dad and his boy.

Getting more rocks.

This boy in this hat...

...and also THIS hat.

Tommy loves Gunner. And Mary. And the iPad.

Tommy and Gunner (cue the heart eyes)

This was after rolling around in the dirt while camping.
We called him Pigpen.

I just can't get over how beautiful he is.

Looking for ducks.

He loves dragging blankets around the apartment, then plopping
down in the middle of the floor to snuggle. 

He's recently started caring about what he wears; on this day, he insisted on wearing a tee shirt.
Under a too-small pajama shirt. With his monster feet. 

My little Clark Kent.

He has three other cat ears to choose from, but he only wears the pink ones. 

I love this little squirt. 

He was a lumberjack for Halloween. 

Dino-kitty.

As much as I keep hoping time will slow down, I'm sure enjoying these days with Tommy. We've wandered around the Christmas section at Lowe's more than once, and he's been really excited about the lights and the trees; Christmas with a 2-year-old is going to be amazing, and I cannot wait to buy our tree and deck our halls!

Christmas is quite magical, though, isn't it? 

Cutest elf ever.

I feel so grateful to be Tommy's mom. Somehow, he keeps getting cooler each day, and I'm smitten with the sweetness he brings into our lives.