I swear, this was the best $7 I ever spent:

This morning, Joe and I let Patrick sleep in before opening presents. Here is what he got:

This turtle figurine came from our local Ten Thousand Villages shop, which has all kinds of nifty little things from all over the world. It looked to me like Patrick and Joe, so it came home with us!

This is a Joe original. Watch for it on “Antiques Roadshow” 100 years from now — it will be worth gazillions!

The big gift won’t be ready for a couple of weeks — we’re having Patrick’s shiny new master’s degree matted and framed for hanging!

Then we went out for lunch and a little shopping. But first — a snuggle:

Happy Fathers Day also to Joe’s Papa Burt and Grandpa Mike!

Joe is getting pretty good at stepping when we hold his hands. Still way behind other 2-year-olds, but way ahead of where he was just a few weeks ago!

Here he is with his physical therapist — you can see he’s tickled by his own progress!

Joe seems to enjoy being a 2-year-old! He has been even more fun than usual these past few days, laughing a lot and being super cuddly.

Our favorite new “trick” of his happens when we are all on the living room floor after dinner. Patrick and I lie on our sides, far apart but facing each other. Joe crawls to each of us, leaning in for a kiss from Dada before coming back to me for a Mama smooch.

He does a few laps of this, and it just thrills us to no end! (I know, I know — I need to get it on video!)

Joe had a lovely day!

The staff at Children’s Hospital, where he had his morning appointment, scooped him up at the door and sang “Happy Birthday.”

Afterward, we went shopping for some books and a cool Joe-sized chair, then ran a few errands.

Joe was still napping when Dada came home, but when he got up, we ate and had cupcakes!

Then … presents!

Patrick made a cool banner, and Joe sat in his new chair to open all his cool stuff:

After that, Joe was inducted into a very exclusive club. (He and Dada are the only members to date!)

Patrick has been working very hard on all the details, which he may or may not share with the rest of us.

Here is Joe, looking over the fine print:

A great day for a great boy. Next thing you know, he’ll be THREE!

Hard to believe it’s been 2 years since we met this guy!

Joe has an appointment this morning, and then we’re off to Books-A-Million to pick out some birthday books. Tonight, cupcakes with Dada!

Birthday photos will be coming soon. In the meantime, how sweet is this:

Patrick and I spent a few days in Savannah to celebrate our fifth anniversary and his graduation from grad school. Joe spent that time with his Nana and Papa, who were kind enough to send regular photo updates to my phone:

Now the three of us are back together in Virginia!

Savannah was beautiful, but after running out of sights to see, we checked out a day early and spent the last night in Wilmington, N.C. Pictures coming soon!

Patrick’s folks are visiting from New York, and Joe is soaking up all the extra love and attention!

Here he is entertaining the room at breakfast:

And enjoying a local museum with Grandpa:

He’s napping through a thunderstorm right now, and when he gets up we are all going out to celebrate Patrick’s graduation from grad school!

One of the many, many joys of spring is that with warmer weather comes kiddie-pool time!

I started to get some swim diapers and trunks on Joe, but then thought he might like it better au naturel.

Well what does the blue-footed booby bird say, Mr. Smarty Pants?