I know a little fellow who has the best belly chuckles and most subtle of grins. He adores long hugs and rushes into them head first when he is upset.

I know a little fellow who runs with shoulders back and tummy leading the way. He falls down but doesn’t stop. He calmly climbs 8-foot ladders as if they were merely the kitchen step stool (making Mama’s heart stop) and he whips the kitchen stool around the house as if it were his fifth limb.

I know a little fellow who can speak a paragraph of thoughts with just a handful of words. He seeks to make Mama proud by identifying a large object as “haavy” and then grunting and groaning as he carries it as far as he can. He adores Cookie Monster and enjoys making his family laugh by growling out “Cookie! Nom nom nom!” It’s even funnier when he has a cookie to eat!

I know a little fellow who adores being a big brother and will go to great lengths to entertain Baby Simeon. When he gets Simeon to laugh they share belly laughs together. He also doesn’t want Shaka to go hungry and consistently sneaks food to his golden retriever pal at every meal. Of all of our children he loves animals the most and scours every book we own for every horse picture, then promptly comes and shows it to me.

I know a little fellow who turns two today. His was my first home birth and I remember how anxious and excited I felt. I was 41 weeks and 5 days and was despairing that he would surely graduate high school in utero. Well, he was born before then but his IQ and growth rate seem to indicate that he might graduate college in high school instead.

Happiest of second birthdays to you, Shilo Boy! You are vital to making our family who it is and we praise Jesus for giving you to us. May you always choose meekness over force, joy over anger, and gratitude over selfishness.