My baby boy, Joe, turns 2 years old tomorrow. Officially, he turns 2 in less than 2 hours, although he actually was born 2 years ago tomorrow afternoon.
As I write this, I'm listening to a "Trampled by Turtles" playlist on Spotify, which is appropriate since "the Turtles" are kind of the soundtrack to his life the past year, anyway, at least for me. I strongly suspect that 20 years from now, in my late 60's, I'll play "Trampled by Turtles" with a glass of wine in hand and tear in my eye, remembering the first 2 years of Joe's life.
It's been one hell of a ride so far. Not always easy, most of the time fun but always memorable. Joe's been easier, in some ways, than J.P., but harder in other ways. Certainly, for Jude and me, we've been more laid back with Joe, having been through everything before with J.P. However, it's been more challenging for us, dealing with 2 children as opposed to 1.
Joe's been sick more than J.P., mostly because J.P. brings all kinds of germs home from school at Children's House and gives them all to Joe. When he was 6 months old, we had a terrible 2-3 week stretch with Joe when he had RSV. Jude and I were up every night with him. I slept downstairs and we worked in shifts, Jude taking the first half of the night and me the second. Like yesterday, I can remember strolling Joe around the hall and den downstairs at 3 or 4 a.m., because he would sleep fitfully, sitting up in the stroller. Damn, that was hard.
I've said many, many times that my favorite age (so far, anyway) with kids is 12 months - 2 years. It's been a great year for us with Joe. It's funny, but he does everything a little faster than J.P. did, mostly because he's trying to keep up with his big brother. Joe walked earlier than J.P. He talked earlier than J.P. Like J.P. at that age, Joe is so bright. First it was words, than complete sentences as he learned to communicate with us in ways we could easily understand. J.P. has always been able to translate words or phrases Jude and I couldn't decipher, which is pretty cool.
Joe's such a good natured kid, just like J.P. was at that age. He has his moments, but for the most part he's always laughing and smiling. He's more aggressive than J.P. was at 2 and less afraid to try new things, which I suspect is pretty common for a second child. Whatever J.P. does, Joe wants to do. Whatever J.P. says, Joe say. I laugh at dinner, when Joe mimics J.P., calling them "Pete and Repeat." Truly, it's "monkey see, monkey do" with the 2 of them.
I treasure so very, very much the times Joe and I have shared, just the 2 of us, times he won't have any memory of (except when he reads this blog) but that I'll remember for the rest of my life. The many, many weekend afternoon walks we've taken in the neighborhood while he napped in the stroller. When it's been cold outside (and this winter, it's been really cold), the many times on Saturday and Sunday afternoons I've driven with him in the neighborhood until he's fallen asleep, then strolled him into Bongo Java and worked and sipped coffee while he slept. The times he's slept in the stroller on weekend afternoons while I sat at the bar and had a beer or glass of wine at Mafiozza's, Urban Grub, blvd., P.M. or Chago's Cantina. Just peaceful, beautiful times I've spent with Joe, just hanging out with him while he slept. Times I'll never, ever forget.
Even more so than J.P. did at 2, Joe absolutely loves to go to church. We're at St. Patrick Catholic Church every Sunday because it's such a special place to us and such an important part of our lives. Curiously, we've never had to stay in the "crying room" with Joe, as he's almost always quiet during church and rarely cries of fusses. It's almost uncanny the way he pays such rapt attention to Father David Perkin and sits contentedly through the homily, just taking everything in. Future priest?
I'm so blessed, blessed beyond belief to have the 2 sons I have. Jude is such an amazing mother to the both. One of the true joys of my life is to watch her interact with J.P. and Joe. She's such a natural mother and so very good with both of them.
Joe, my baby boy, happy 2nd birthday. Your dad loves you, pal.
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