HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!!!

Wow... it's hard to believe that 2 years ago today, our second born son, William David, was born. We went the unconventional route with Will's birth - choosing to have him at home with a midwife. Will entered the world peacefully on July 31st around 6pm ... 7 lbs, 11 oz (or something like that). He didn't even cry when he was born.

He's been such a happy, smiley kid ever since.


This is what he looked like 2 years ago, as an infant ...













































When Will was born, Jared was still a toddler - just a year and a half years old. Will has always adored his big brother and wanted to be near him (even when Jared didn't want anything to do with him!).

I remember riding my bike, pulling both boys in the bike trailer, when Will was still very little. One day, we had separated them because Jared had a cold and we didn't want "baby Will" to catch it. Will was in the back on Melinda's bike trailer, Jared in mine. Will cried and cried until we put them back together. He just wanted to be near his "Bubba."

























When Will was a young baby, he was pretty easy going. I recall with fondness how he would "chill" in a stroller or bouncy seat without protest. After he started to eat solids, he started to realize how he could exert his own will by "speaking up" for what he wanted. Most will remember this "squawking phase" ... not annoying at all, right?

Despite the squawking, he had such a fun personality and loved to laugh, loved to make us laugh, and smiled all the time ...













































































Last year, when Will turned one - we celebrated at home with family and friends. He LOVED chocolate birthday cake ...







































































Will has always been our fearless child. We started him in swim lessons last summer, before he turned one. Although he couldn't yet walk, he LOVED being under water.

He gave us all many minor "heart attacks" when he would just jump off the steps into the water to "swim". He was one dangerous kiddo in the pool. This summer, he is one of the best swimmers I have ever seen for a kid his age. He can just about keep up with the 3 and 4 year old's - swimming pretty good distances. He's always pushed to keep up with his older brother - he still adores Jared.





















































Will's personality keeps us on our toes. He has definitely entered the "training two's" where every first response is "No!" ... we're working on this one. He is strong willed and generally knows what he wants. He is our little engineer - Will loves to see how things work and build things. He dives into everything with exuberance ... he gets so excited about everything that we often have to remind him not to yell. It doesn't matter what it is ... dog, neighbor, bird, train ... you name it. Will looks at it with awe and wonder - and let's you know about it, too. ;-)

He still has the greatest smile, with a mouthful of white teeth, and cute, chubby dimples. Will loves big and liberally dispenses some of the best hugs you have ever received. I am the grateful recipient of several Will hugs everyday - I love when he wraps his little arms around my legs and my neck. I adore this about him - he is so very affectionate.

Man, oh man, do we ever love this kid!












































































Happy Birthday BIG BOY!!!

You are an absolute joy and an incredible blessing to our family. WE LOVE YOU!