My 'baby' is TWO!

Isaiah is two now. It's funny, really, because he embodies so much 'two-ish-ness' that it seems odd that it took him this long to reach his birthday. He is one unstoppable force of energy, that child!

Shrove Tuesday. Joining in on the parish Pancake Race

(which combined all his passions -- 

running around like crazy, 

wearing a costume {the apron} and consuming carbs)

But do you know what else he is? A really affectionate little soul. He is actually becoming more cuddly as time goes on, unlike Noah, who has grown into a stage (I hope it's only a stage!) where being hugged or kissed, even by my, isn't to his taste.

Isaiah, however, he just loves to cuddle.

Painting en plein air

(the fancy way of saying painting outside)

He also has the most adorable love and reverence for babies. When we were house-hunting in our soon-to-be hometown recently, we saw so many babies. Isaiah was just in awe. He wanted to touch their little faces, make them laugh, gaze at them. It's so sweet, because in so many ways he is a baby himself. Granted, he is a running, chattering baby, but a baby no less.

Did I mention he loves to run? Run, run, run circles around our house, the yard, the aisles of the church, me. He has so much busy-ness in his bones that needs to be spent, daily. Noah, even at the age of two, was a much more slow and introspective type. We'd go on quiet nature walks together and observe things. Isaiah is more a fan of the nature sprint.

It's rather fun, actually.

I do love this sweet little boy dearly. He is so imaginative, and very thoughtful. A few weeks ago, my mom was with him in the grocery store, just the two of them, when they ran into a woman from our church. She asked mom if she could buy him a box of Smarties, and mom agreed. When she passed it to him, he didn't take it but calmly and gently said, "One for Noah." He wouldn't accept the gift unless he knew his brother could be equally blessed.

I can't think of a more lovely trait in such a young child.

He's wearing shorts and sandals in a RECENT photo. 
Clearly this was not taken in Nova Scotia.

Yet he has been frustrating me lately with some of his antics. He loves to pull things out of cupboards so very much! When I had one child, I thought this was all sweet and just a part of life with children, but now, with two and another one on the way, plus the busy happenings of moving, I don't have the patience to just let that slide. Nor do I even have the time to perpetually clean up messes I didn't make!

After getting outwardly frustrated with him, a friend suggested something so simple which has worked wonders. Instead of losing my cool, or wanting him to just run off so I can deal with his messes by myself, she pointed out I could get him involved with cleaning up the Tupperware, or pots and pans, whatever kitchen item he has just thrown out of the cupboard onto the floor.

I firmly tell him, "We don't makes messes with Mommy's things. You need to clean this up" and then I get down on the floor and get started, and he happily joins in. We sing that silly song from Barney (!) and he is so cute as he does it.

He sing "Quinoa! Quinoa! Everybody, everywhere!" Sweet little granola-crunching tot.

Eagerly awaiting his cake at Gram and Grandpa's house

His birthday last Thursday was a rather quiet day. Our broken-down van had yet to be replaced, and we had spent the previous day and night trying to work out getting a new one, as well as work out some kinks in the purchase of our new house. Poor Isaiah, not a decoration was in sight.

He did get the one thing he asked for, however. His heart was set on a Baby Beluga cake, after his absolute favourite song of all time. He first asked for it in February, and has been talking about it since.

Of course, you all know my cake-making skills. What's a mom to do? Well I originally asked his godparents if they could do it. They actually own their own baking business (which is just starting up) and they make the most mouth-watering treats in the world. They had the audacity, though, to give birth to their baby just days before Isaiah's birthday. The nerve.

Then on the actual day of his birthday, I walked over to the bakery counter at our grocery store and pleaded my desperate case, only to be told that they need 24 hours notice.

So home I went, and spent my afternoon concocting this:

Another "at least it taste good"?

By gum, this was my best batch of butter cream ever.

I consider it a triumph because Isaiah loved it, which is the most important thing. AND my mother-in-law, without prompting, recognized it as a 'whale' (although no one got that the blue thing-y at the top was supposed to be "the water squirting out of his spout"). All in all, not a terrible disaster.

I am very proud of my little boy. I am so looking forward to what Two brings him -- which includes a new brother or sister! Oh my!

 The first Craine to actually look like his Mama, no?

Also, wasn't he a most delicious baby?!