Ben turned two, folks, and have we entered the "terrible" phase?  Not any more terrible than the baby phase if you ask me!  Each stage poses its challenges but to me, toddlerhood is where. its. at.   I love the firsts that come during this time.  First steps, first tricycle, first time going down the "big slide", wanting to show off to us all the things he can do.  Running, kicking the ball, building lego towers and playing from sun up to sun down.

Sure beats bottles and being up all night if you ask me!  

I thought I'd feel a little sad that he is growing up so fast, but no way Jose.  This is getting fun.  

And there is nothing better than standing in the kitchen taking care of dinner and suddenly I feel those sweet little arms wrap around my legs for a giant hug out of the nowhere.  Or the time he declared "mommy favorite".  OMG.  And I know I'm only going to be his favorite for a very, very limited amount of time.  

And the pictures.  I took care of Ben's earlier in the day so that I wouldn't have to torture my husband for too long by doing some family pics in the evening.  I set the camera modes, Grandma was here to press the shutter button, and I was ready to rock.  

But I somehow stacked every chip against myself.  5 o'clock on a Friday.  Ben hadn't seen Tom yet....he was super clingy and needy for him.  It was 100 degrees and we were all sweating bullets.  Friday after a long week no one had any patience.  Oh, and we were next to a playground which was literal torture for a toddler.  

Somehow we managed to get a lot of cute ones and a lot of real pouty faces....both I'll cherish.  
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Think your kids are the only ones who pout?  Even my "in-house talent" doesn't want to do a 100 degree photo shoot next to a playground.  I actually kind of love this.  And this is why we don't give up, try everything, and take a zillion pictures because in there somewhere will be the "one good one!"

And we're back!!
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The would-be perfect dad/son photo.  But like I said.  Every chip stacked against me.  Didn't try for more.  Too hot.  Red cheeks.  Sweaty husband.  Wrap it up, Erin!  Wrap it up!
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Happy Birthday, Ben!  Quite simply:  to us, you are the best. 

Whenever someone asks me how many kids I have I say, "oh, just one."
That ends right now.
No I'm not pregnant. 

But I don't know why I reduce my one, spectacular, amazing kid to a "just".  

I think that response began to convey that somehow we're not roughing it as much as families with more than one.  Sure, one is easier than 2, or 3, or 4, but it's come to my realization that I'm shortchanging the miracle that having a child is in the first place.

I was a reluctant mom.  It took me a long time to accept that I was pregnant.  A long time to embrace being a mother.  And now as we celebrated my second Mother's Day I am on board.  Like....on board.  He's incredible, we've hit a stride, I've adapted, embraced the role, and I will never refer to him as my "just" ever again.

I hope all of you had a terrific Mother's Day.  It's fun to be celebrated and take a minute to reflect on the job.  For those of you trying, I hope you made it through the day and keep envisioning that kiddo in your life.  Believe it and good things follow.

And of course the pictures.  I dragged my husband to a dreadfully humid muggy buggy creek to take some pictures of Ben and I on Mother's Day.   We match.  We held hands.  I just love him.