Dear Noah,

Yesterday, you turned exactly 2.5 years old. You kept telling us that it was your birthday, which we thought was because you wanted more of This Mommy’s birthday cake. But maybe you realized that it was your half birthday — even though I didn’t realized it until this morning.

You are getting so big and mature in so many ways. At your last doctor’s visit, they weighed you and you weigh 36 lbs — squarely at the 95th percentile for your age.

You love to sing, to “read” us the stories in your books, to make up new stories about your animals and toy dinosaurs. While your cousin Maxim was here this weekend — turning 14 months old yesterday — you were wonderful with him. You invited him to play games, shared your toys, and talked about him incessantly when he wasn’t there.

You also learned to kiss this month. And by kiss, I mean that you no longer open your mouth and press it against the face of the person you are kissing. Instead, you close your mouth and do the same pucker-smack action that grown-ups do. This may be my favorite of your recent developments!

In the last month, you’ve been really sweet with your mommies. We had a hard last month — my job is going away, the fridge in our garage broke and ruined lots and lots of food, and you and I were in a car accident with a very naughty lady who ran a red light right in front of us. The couple of times you’ve seen me crying or looking sad, you’ve given me hugs and kisses and tried to help me to be happy. It works, sweet boy.

Not that you don’t have your difficult moments. It would make all of our lives easier and more pleasant if you would either use the potty or let us change your diaper when we tell you that it’s time. And the wrestling match that takes place to brush your teeth is possibly the single most frustrating part of being your mommies right now.

We know that diaper changes and toothbrushing is boring. It would be faster and less disruptive if you could just do it yourself, and quickly. Then we could move on to playing piano, or reading, or doing something else fun.

By the time I write the next letter, you will have a new baby sister at home. I think it’s going to be something of a shock for you, but hopefully you’ll like being a big brother. And no matter what happens, you will always be my dear sweet boy. Words don’t even express how much I love you.