Terrible Twos

I wouldn't really call him terrible. Maybe daring. Or fearless. A little on the crazy and risky side. Either way the kid turned 2 on March 20. And he's the typical middle child- sometimes put on hold, but totally okay with it since he's used to entertaining himself anyway. I'm thoroughly convinced that Erik was the easiest baby ever. I would lay him down to go help Taylor with something and I'd come back and he'd be asleep. Without even making a peep. Even now he's pretty easy-going. He'll entertain himself for hours. Unfortunately it might consist of drawing on my walls. Or running with scissors. Or belly-flopping off the couch onto the hardwood floor. But he's a sweet boy, and we love him. I admit- I have a soft spot for him. Probably because he's the middle child and I know he'll get the shaft 90% of the time.

We had some friends over for his birthday. Nothing big. I don't like lots of planning and big birthday parties. I'm a little-or-no-effort kind of gal. The one thing we did do was rent a helium tank. Erik LOVES balloons.

Look at that. Could he be any happier? Okay, maybe if he had a sucker in his hand jumping off of something while holding the balloons. But you get the drift.

Have I mentioned that I hate any and all cake decoration? Every time I think, "Okay, I'm gonna try this and it's gonna come out great!!" And it never does. I've come to terms with that, and I've resorted to cupcakes. And even those don't come out as I envision them. But whatever. Cupcakes it is. I can't stand paying a bakery to make a cake that's 90% frosting, since I hate frosting.

Sorry, kids.

"Really, Mom? That's the best you can do?"

He didn't even eat the thing.

Opening the presents. Thanks to all our friends who gifted him with toys that make loud noises and drive into my unsuspecting ankles- he loves them. I've been wanting to get Erik one of those balance bikes for a while. You know, the ones that are short and don't have any pedals. I just knew he'd love it. And he did. Until he tried to get on it, realized his legs were too short, and saw Taylor take off with it as soon as he got the chance. The poor middle child. Can't even get a present he can play with from his parents on his birthday.

Since it was Erik's birthday and Kent was on call I figured I'd let the boys stay up and watch a movie.

This is Erik sniffing the cupcakes during intermission (yes, he did finally eat one).

Happy Birthday, Boo!

(There was a period of about a month when he was around 9 months or so that he was constantly crying. He was sick and always had the sniffles, he was trying to walk so he was falling down a lot, and he just couldn't keep up with Taylor. So whenever he would cry I would say, "Boo-hoo-hoo!" to him. Ever since then we frequently call him, "Boo.")