2 year old Niko

Niko has been 2 for several months now, but it wasn't until recently that I realized we have officially reached the Terrible Twos. 

Screaming in the bathtub because...I don't even remember why anymore! 

But I think it's important to point out that the terrible Twos are also the Terrific Twos. I mean, while there certainly is a lot of this: 

Screaming because he wanted more "CAAAKE!!!" and I didn't want him to have more. 

and we've had our fair share of tantrums pitched anytime we're leaving anyplace fun (any idea how to deal with those, friends? I'm at a loss!), there is also more than our fair share of this sweetness:

along with wonderful, amazing silly moments:

Nikolai found this piece of felt (leftover from making sunshine onesies) and put it to his mouth, then said "Cheese! Cheese!" so I would take his picture! 

And there's other sweet times, like when Niko started telling us a story at the dinner table. 

Niko: "And George (curious george)....walk...(here he walked his fingers around his plate)...animal....five! (now he wanted a high five) ...bir-day (birthday)....dada, happy!... mama, happy!... baby, happy!!!!" At this point he pointed at each of us and himself, smiling. (I will admit, I think "happy" is my favorite word he's learned so far!)

Other times, we're playing his violin and he starts dancing this great little jig, and later looks me straight in the face and says "FUN!"  

He doesn't communicate in a lot of full sentences still (though we get the occasional "I got Percy!" "I got Mama!" [followed by a hug for me!]) but when he does use words, he's showing lots of creativity, humor, and memory skills that I never anticipated him having at such a young age.  And while some of his communication stresses me out ("nooooo!!!!!!!!"), a good deal of it just fills me with so much joy ("hug!").

So welcome, Terrible and Terrific Twos.  We're glad you're here.