I blinked – actually, I sneezed, because that is the season of life we’re in, every week a different toddler illness – and my 7 pound, 12 ounce newborn was a bright-eyed, happy toddler moving fast toward boyhood.

So fast is it all moving that I’m a little late to be writing this post, but I have good reason: I’ve been busy! Not only did you recently turn two, but you also recently started preschool! More on that big life event in a moment. First, though, I want to preserve some core memories on the internet.

My beautiful boy, I can’t believe you’re 2. You came into this world at 12:34 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022 (I was born on a Saturday, too!) and you turned 2 on a Tuesday. I was in shock when you were born. I know, right? We had tried for years, and here I was, stunned you were actually here and mine to take home. It took me a little time to fall in love with you and I hope you’ll be okay with that one day, especially after I explain to you what mamas go through physically and emotionally after having a baby. But once I did, oof, well, you know the rest. You are my best guy and I will worship the ground you walk on for the rest of all time. I’m so lucky to have gotten to spend your whole birthday week with you! It was special because not only did you turn 2, but it was the week before you began preschool.

The last week before you started school. How did we get here so quickly? You’ll be in school the next 16 years. Hopefully the next 20. Maybe even the next 28! Mama likes that orthopedic surgeon salary if you feel called to medicine. I’m kidding, I’m kidding! These were the last days of complete and total freedom. Over the last 18 months, I’ve taken days off here and there and spent them with you. It’s one of the nice things about having you later in life. I’m extremely grateful for the flexibility of my job that has given me these precious times with you.

During our Mommy and Tommy Birthday Week of Fun, we made some truly special memories together. On Monday, we met your new teacher, Mrs. Buckley, at one of our favorite parks, Trolley Barn Park. She knew I was feeling nervous about sending you to school and offered to meet us so we could get to know her better. She was really gentle and warm then and now, three weeks into your school career, she continues to be wonderfully loving toward you. On Tuesday, your birthday, we met Grandpa at IHOP for celebratory pancakes and then we went to Tecolote Shores Park, another favorite of yours, where I pushed you on the swings until I couldn’t feel my arms! You loved it, so I loved it. We made you macaroni and cheese for dinner and I baked you chocolate cupcakes. At 2, it’s clear: You’ve been afflicted by my terrible sweet tooth. I love the way you eat a messy cupcake with wild abandon, thick chocolate smears across your cheeks. It’s aspirational, really. You remind me that God gave us cake and to fully enjoy it. Daddy and I sang Happy Birthday to you to cap off a day full of your favorite things – as a birthday should be. The next day, we went to the Padres game! You had such fun running up and down the hillside and climbing on the giant baseball statues at the new Gallagher Square. Daddy’s cousin, his wife and their almost-two-year-old were in town from Florida and also at the game, so we met up. You actually napped most of the game, which I loved for you. Snoozing to the sounds of a winning Padres game? You’re a real fan. On Thursday, we had a family birthday picnic for you! I had a special Little Blue Truck cake made and Daddy picked up Costco pizza. You loved showing your Oma your favorite places on the playground. On Friday, you had your first official playdate with your little friend, Arthur. It was adorable. He had a lot of awesome toys that you were very into. In fact, the Amazon Birthday Fairy hadn’t selected your birthday gift yet and two of the toys you were playing with were waiting for you the next day!

On Saturday, my anxiety about you starting school was at an 8, but still we went to a big family get-together in Murrieta. I will never tell you enough how lucky you are to have such a giant family on your dad’s side. They’re Dutch Indonesian, so they make incredible food, and they love you so much. Your cousin, Aaron, was so good playing with you. It’s important to me you always keep connected to your family. One day, we’ll go on a plane for a very long time over a very big ocean so you can see where you come from. It’s a wonderful place very different from home. There is a lot of poverty there and as you get older, I want you to understand that. I don’t want to shield you from the hard truths of the world, but give you experiences to expose you to them and hope compassion, empathy and generosity grow out of them.

School is going really well! You’re in Mrs. Buckley’s class and your little classmates are Major, Chance, Julianna, Piper, Wesley, Kailo and Lily. They’re all older than you, which is wonderful because you’re learning so much from them! You have STEM with Ms. Susan on Mondays, music with Mr. Josh on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and chapel on Friday. You go to the garden, read books, play on the playground, and make art. Your first week of school was special because it was Week of the Young Child. One of the days was Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day and I really wanted you to impress so I made you a shirt to look like Little Blue Truck. I’m crafty, who knew? Now you’re learning a song that you’re apparently going to sing to me and the other mommies at your school’s Mother’s Day Tea. I bought a new dress and have an appointment to get my nails done. I want to look good for you! These are the very best days of my life, standing next to you watching you have these wonderful experiences. I always thought my mom couldn’t possibly just want a card for Mother’s Day, surely she had to want something from Nordstrom, but no. Now I understand. I just want something you’ve painted and to lay in the grass under a warm sun with you. It’s literally all I need to be happy.

I bought one of those “My First Day of School” boards, but no surprise, you were disinterested in having your photo taken with it. So, here are some things about you right now as a brand-new two-year-old!

Things You Love

• Berries
• Climbing everything
• Swings
• Snuggling
• Sleeping in
• Ms. Rachel on YouTube

Your Nicknames

• Bub
• Bubber
• Monchhichi Monkey
• Lovebug

I love you so much, Thomas Joseph Holloway. You never have to wonder if I’m thinking about you or if I’m proud of you: The answer is always and forever yes. You are the best, brightest, most wonderful person I’ve ever known and I want to keep you as only mine forever, but more I want the world to know beautiful, amazing you. So, with each step you take a little further away from me, my heart breaks inside while I wildly cheer and celebrate you achieving anything and everything you want. Just promise to save a dance for me. How about to our song, “Beautiful Boy?” ❤️