Dear Marshall

Dear Marshall,
Happy 2nd Birthday little man!  I can hardly believe that you are already 2...but in some ways, I feel like you have been doing things that 2 years olds do for quite a while now.  For your birthday book, we got you The Little Engine That Could....because to me, that is who you are.  You might not be a BIG 2 year old in terms of size....however you do not let anything (or anyone for that matter) stop you from doing what it is that you want to do.  You have drive and perseverance....and "no", well that is just not an answer for you.  And while I think that this is such a great quality...it can sure make things hard at times!  Like the other night, all you wanted was juice.  And I guess I could have given in....but I had already told you we could have it with dinner....so you could have water.  So after a 15 minute debacle, I hand you water...and what do you do?  Pour it out all over the table right in front of me, while saying JUICE!  You little stinker!  You do the same thing, if we try to help you take your shoes and socks off, or heaven forbid, we buckle you----you want to do it alone!
On a different note though, You have the world's best smile.  Seriously, I wish I could bottle up the amount of happiness that I get each time you flash it at me....and you sure know how to use that smile to your advantage!  You are generally a really happy kiddo....you smile and laugh at everything....and besides wanting certain things to go your way, you are actually a lot more chill than other kiddos (maybe like your brother...)
Talking about your brother---you could not possibly look up and adore anyone more.  It is so cute the way that you watch him and want to do EVERYTHING that he does.  You like to snuggle up to him (during the good moments) and have him read you a book.  You two are finally starting to get the hang of playing with each other....however, 10 minutes into building legos together as a team you turn into the hulk and smash it all down.  But I guess you are just making up for all the times that he stole your toys when you were smaller.  The two of you make a great team....but like any team, you have your good moments and rough moments.....but I could not be happier that I know you will always have each other.
You love to be outside and you are fearless.  You get up on a bike or your scooter and you take off.  At the park you follow Brayden or the other big kids, and you are off on the play structure doing things that some 4 years olds have not mastered.  You still do not have a ton of words...and sometimes this is frustrating.....but I know that they are coming!
You LOVE music and singing.  In music class you are quite the ham.  You go up to other kids and their parents and want to play and sing and dance with them.  You love helping out in class and LOVE ring a round the rosy...sometime you even get upset when it is over.  You LOVE Thomas the train and choo choos, as well as cars and trucks and diggers...I guess because they are on the go, just like you.  You have just started getting into watching a show every now and then....but it must have something to do with a choo choo or a wooo wooo (firetruck).  You are a GREAT eater....sometimes you would rather eat your veggies instead of anything else on your plate :)  You are a social butterfly...seriously I would not be surprised if you end up in politics one day.  You make new friends each  new place we go...and being shy---well that is not you at all!  You love to say hello and good bye to each and every person we see!
You bring us SO much joy and happiness.  I love watching you grow each day and learn new things.  I love watching you with that sparkle in your BIG blue eyes.  You smile melts my heart and I love that you still love to snuggle.  You are very affectionate towards the baby in my belly...you love to give him/her kisses and I pray that you feel the same, when he/she arrives.  I know that you will be a great big brother...not only do have a great one to learn from....but your caring nature will make you a great big brother naturally.
We love you Marshall!!!!!!