On this your second birthday, Aidan, I find myself looking at the journal entry for your first birthday to see what's changed. "Cars, trains, and anything spherical" it reads. So based on that, you might say nothing has changed over the last half of your life.
Fortunately, you are so much more than what you like to play with. Your personality continues to shine. I can't even count the number of restaurants and other establishments where people know you and your brother as "the cutest kids", your eyebrow flirtations and toothy smile among the most memorable displays of said cuteness. Your speech improves daily. Your manners are incredible and natural and seem tenderly genuine. You have a bit of a tendency to react to displeasure with swinging fists, but also have a bit of a tendency to react to most things with smiles and hugs and love.
Your favorite indoor toy is at the moment actually shifting a little bit from the basketball goal to vehicles—you seem especially pleased with the Thomas the Tank Engine train/flashlight that Gavin got you for your birthday. Outdoors, you and the bubble mower are nearly inseparable. And recently you've developed a love of music, too. I mean, you've always liked singing, but now you beg for the chance to watch a Cedarmont Kids music video or listen to a Little Peoples music CD. You even like watching Barney, but prefer to skip to the end for the "I Love You" song. You are comfortable around the folks we are most often around at home or church, and count all such folks among your biggest fans.
You, my son, are a natural charmer. You've stolen my and your mother's hearts.
Happy Birthday, buddy.
