Break out those party hats and bake up some cupcakes — it’s party time! As your child approaches his second birthday, think about all the milestones he’s met this year, from walking to toddling to running like the wind (plus subtler new skills like pointing and pretending). Pretty amazing, right? Just wait — in the coming year there’ll be plenty more developmental achievements to make a mama’s heart burst with pride.
Physically, your child will grow by leaps and bounds, learning to jump up, throw a ball, and balance on one foot (well, for a second or two). He’ll also take on some self-care tasks like dressing (and undressing), brushing his hair and teeth, and (ideally) using the toilet. (He gains height and weight at about the same pace he did in the past year — that is, not nearly as rapidly as he did as a baby, which is good news for your grocery bill!) You’ll see a difference in those fine-motor skills too, as he learns to wield cutlery and crayons with much more control.