The ups and downs of an "almost two year old"

One would think that a mom would be able to recall with precise clarity the roller coaster ride each day is with an "almost two year old" in the house. We've experienced it twice before and it was not-so-long ago with Carter and Ella. However, Christian keep us on our toes. His birthday is in a few weeks but he has bits and pieces of "terrible two-ness" that he demonstrates on a daily basis. He has so many things he does right now that CRACK us up. This picture capturing one of them. This maybe his favorite toy. He spends endless time throughout the day playing in this. He comes to me, stretches his little neck out for a kiss and says, "bye mom, going work." He takes our car keys and proceeds to "go to work". His new addition to this game is to "get dressed" and pack his cell phone in the back compartment. He also likes to wear my work id clipped to his shirt just like I do. This is precious and hilarious, and oh-so cute. I love this game and I don't ever want him to stop playing it. Scott and I have been trying to decide what would be the perfect gift for our little guy who gets all the hand me downs. We wish there was some "add on" for this thing like a wagon to pull behind, because seriously this little car brings him so much joy.
With the advent of all the language and adorable-ness that a two year old brings, there are also just a few characteristics he is demonstrating that are....well....not-SO-cute. The quicklist of these goes something like this:

• growling, scowling followed by some barking gibberish if he is upset with you or a sibling
• getting out of his crib and playing with toys while he is supposed to be napping
• stripping off his clothes and diapers at random
• hiding our car keys and cell phones
• using his stool as an extra appendage aka stilts to lift him to new levels of things he shouldn't have
• throwing things in the toilet
• jumping into the tub fully clothed more than twice
• emptying my cupboards and drawers
• pulling ALL the toilet paper of the new roll
• calling and crying for me in the middle of the night a couple times a week
• taking toys from one of the older kids
• coloring on the kitchen floor with markers and generally making dinner preparation harder than it should be

All of these things can be frustrating but he is so dang cute and precious right now. I am brought to tears to hear him sitting in his crib singing "Frosty the snowman" and "Jesus loves me" over and over. Ahhh, how is my baby turning two in a few weeks? Time is flying. for sure. I better soak up all these wonderful moments.