Two Years of George Bear!

Hold the phone.

My little George Bear is TWO YEARS OLD?! Like, how did this happen so fast…I just don’t even get it.

I know, I know. You’ve heard me say it a thousand kajillion times but time flies!! And now my sweet toddler boy is TWO years old + I am filled with so many emotions. Like, so many bittersweet feels. I could cry (and have!) when I think about how incredible George is. The things he does and says blows our minds on the daily. He has the kindest eyes, the sweetest smile, and he is an old soul that gives the best hugs + kisses. To say I am in deep with this kid would be an understatement. He is my world + I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I was putting George to bed last night and we were cuddling + I lay there with his soft blonde hair just under my chin and I couldn’t help but think about our very first cuddle together. And how many nights we have done just that, cuddled. I have successfully nursed GBB for two years and I am fiercely proud of our breastfeeding journey. Our “nummies” cuddle sessions are shorter and only at nap time + bedtime (and I have a feeling our journey may be over soon) but oh my gosh, you guys. We’ve cuddled every bed time for two years + I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The greatest part about our bedtime cuddles now are the chats we have about our day. I ask George what his favourite part of the day was and he will typically answer “noo-nas” (noodles…he’s obsessed with eating them!) and some days it’s “weee-ows” (firetrucks) or if we’ve seen “animos” (animals) that day. It’s such a lovely routine we’re getting into + ahhh this age is so much fun. It’s busy, but fun.

George is a total chatterbox. He is literally saying a new word every day and he is a total parrot, ha. I love the way he says playdoh, “pay-dot” + when he says I love you, “I luh yew”–it’s heart-wrenchingly perfect. He calls pizza “ceeeee-ta” and will yell out “ceeeee-ta, I luh yew”; clearly he is my son.

Our GBB likes to run fast, jump high, throw far, hit hard, and be in action. Always. He is super busy and super hilarious + there is not a day that goes by that my heart does not get bigger and bigger for him. Sure, there are days that are hard where I feel over-touched, exhausted, and like my patience is at it’s end but these are the best dang days of my life + I know I will look back at these years and cry big ugly happy tears over the pride and joy I have for my son. Even just writing that makes me want to sob, ha. #emo

This past year, George has learned to walk, went on his very first camping trip, went to daycare part-time for a few months (and did fantastic!), went trick or treating for the very first time, helped daddy cut down the Christmas tree, experienced his first plane ride + adventure in LA, started to sleep through the night (all on his own!! more on this in another post, promise!), ate copious amounts of noodles + apples, and made a handful of new friends at our Toddler Tuesday program! It has been a very big and successful year for our George Bear.

These last two years have flown by and I feel simultaneously like he just arrived + that I’ve known and loved him my whole life. I couldn’t even imagine my life without this sweet little dude. Motherhood is such a flippin’ trip, I mean, hell, parenthood is the ultimate adventure. Such a life-changing and incredibly life-affirming experience + it is one that is so deeply purposeful and humbling.

GBB, my darling bear cub, you love: your mommy + daddy (you’re a total mama’s boy but love being by your daddy’s side always); playing and loving on your uncle Jake (he’s easily your favourite person!); watching Paw Patrol (and recently have been telling me about episodes you/we watched + you seem to favour Rocky these days, ha); snacking/eating/devouring noodles (it kills hubs + I with how obsessed he is with noodles, it’s so flippin’ hilarious), apples, pancakes (especially festive ones!), ketchup (yep, totally my son), crackers, oatmeal (you eat two bowls of oatmeal every morning!), “chippies” (all-dressed FTW!), “ceeeee-ta” (pizza), and pretty much everything (yep, you’re a real good eater!); playing with your “gucks” (trucks) and your “key-kews” (trains); Charles the cat (who you’ve adorably nicknamed “Howwwm” which is how you meow…); chasing + dancing with butterflies; throwing balls (and pretty much everything all over the house); helping mama cook in the kitchen and generally helping mama with all household chores (you’re exceptionally good at helping feed the cat in the morning + putting diapers in the garbage!); singing and dancing (we are loving the Moana soundtrack!); when daddy reads the truck book to you at night; cuddles with mama; and being outside. You are a tremendously happy kid +you just make us so happy.

GBB, my handsome boy, you do not love: being stopped (I mean who does, but also, you’re a little busy bee + sometimes safety trumps all fun).

George Bear Bowman, you are the light of our lives. When you are sleeping in your big boy bed + have drifted off into dreamland, your daddy and I sit up and talk about you and how deeply in love we are with you; how you are our dude + we are so fiercely proud to be your parents. You are strong and caring and kind. GBB, you are hilarious and brilliant and really freakin’ cute. You are insanely communicative and very aware + watching you enjoy the simple joys in life is my absolute favourite thing to do. Life is just better with you in it! You are incredible. You make us so happy. And my darling boy, thank you for making me a mama. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me and your daddy–you have enriched our lives far more than I will ever be able to express. I love you. Forever and always.

Oh, and I have to add a few of my favourite GBB pictures from the last two years: