Things to Remember: Porter at 2

Height: 37.5"
Weight: 35 lbs
Favorite food: Popsicles
Favorite show: Chuuuuugington! Chugga chugga chugga!  Chugga chugga chugga!
Favorite phrase: What da HECK?

Oh my Porter boy.  What's the male version of "sassy"?  Willful?  Stubborn?  Strong personality? A force to be reckoned with?  All of these things are my sturdy little two year-old.

It probably comes from being the second child, but Porter seems way more independent than Eli was at this age.  The phrase, "MeSELF!  MeSELF!" is his war cry, and heaven help you if you try to lend a hand.  All summer he's been insisting on buckling his car seat himself and now it has escalated to opening the car door, climbing in, and hoisting his chunkiness into the seat WITHOUT MOM TOUCHING HIM.  It's gotten to the point where sometimes I can't even kiss his boo-boos better without him saying, "No!  MeSELF!" and insisting that I pucker-up but remain still, so that he can bring the injured area to my lips all on his own.

 Porter loves trucks, cars, planes, helicopters and boats as all little boys do, but he has a special place in his heart for jeeps.  He never fails to point one out while we are driving and will scream, "jeep!  JEEP!  JEEEEEEEEEEEP!" until you also acknowledge it.

This kid has no fear.  By two Eli knew that if stepped one toe into the street that "cars would get him" and he would never have dreamed of leaving my side in the store or church.  But Porter is a runner.  No matter how deep or urgent your voice gets the only way to stop him is to catch him.  Now I understand why all those moms have kid leashes!

Porter loves loves loves his Dad.  He loves me too, but Zach and I are pretty sure that his greatest love is accessories.  It's rare that you'll find him without a hat, headband, or necklace of some sort.

These two cute brothers have a very extreme relationship.  They are either getting along beautifully, making me want dozens of children, or someone is screaming/crying.  There is very little in-between.  They share a passion for superheros, legos, play doh, and bike riding.  Porter idolizes and follows Eli around everywhere, which Eli either loves or hates.  Sharing is spotty, affection is frequent.  Basically, they're brothers.

Porter's love language is touch.  Not a gentle caress or sweet hugs or anything like that.  More like constant wrestling.  He tends to throw himself on the object of his affection, squeeze tightly, and then keep pushing until something happens.  He loves running into me while I'm standing, or he'll come up and give me a solid slap on my thigh.  I look down ready to get all angry (because, ow!) and he'll just be sitting there smiling up at me with love in his eyes.

We can't imagine our lives without Porter- he brings so much animation and fun into our family.  He loves hard, plays hard, and then.... crashes hard.  We love him.