terrific twos

colter hasn't always been the happiest of campers (unless we were actually camping, ironically). his whole life he has been high needs, demanding, stubborn, and generally unhappy. i don't want that to sound too harsh, its just he hasn't been one of those easy going, happy go lucky babies. 

and then he turned two. 

i haven't been able to give it too much thought or consideration as to why now he is so much more pleasant than before, but he is. he smiles at strangers, lets people other than me into his life (even when he has me as an option- though i'm still a heavy favorite) and is generally happy. i've loved this new side of him. really basked in it today when we cuddled on a blanket on the grass on the prettiest day in recent memory. he flashed his huge white smile at me and kissed me on demand and was just happy as can be.

 i said: hey colter, should i take a picture of us? and he responded enthusiastically and i love this picture. he was so cute in his little button up from maya's baptism. candy all over his hands and face from the open (and unsupervised) candy bar. but it was ryans 16th birthday party so who cares. my love and appreciation for this colter boy was rekindled when he turned two and i've just really enjoyed him lately. its been great. he is still a pain to get to sleep but once i can get him in a dark room with me, without screens, and (if he is tired) he will just snuggle me until he falls asleep.   

he doesn't say a lot still but he's more talkative lately, has learned almost all the colors and tries new words all the time. the cutest ones are hippo "POH" and snake "nake!". he drinks fluids like you wouldn't believe. he loves to paint and color and play with little animal figurines. which reminds me of going to thanksgiving point farm country the other day and he wouldn't get off the horse and rode it about 6 times and cried for 30 minutes when we had to leave cause they were closing. 

at least i can take comfort in the fact that he is still my persistent, passionate little guy. he's just generally not angry which has been awesome. but i loved him the same even when he was generally angry. i could write for days and wish i literally could. there's so much that doesn't get documented, unfortunately. but man colter, you will always have my heart.