I'm 2!!!

Ask me how old I am and you will get an excited "2!!!" I got a new bed and decorations for my birthday. We went camping with Pappaw and Granna. And I had a playdate "milk" party with a couple of friends. It was a great birthday and I have been saying "happy" a lot lately. I blew out my candles perfectly and received some nice gifts including bedding, Barbies, dress-up clothes, a vacuum, and rain boots. I really enjoyed the camping trip. I went swinging a good bit and really enjoyed playing in the sand.

I had my two year old well check yesterday. I'm 36.5 inches tall, 100th percentile. 29 pounds, 2 ounces, 80th percentile. I had my left ear partially irrigated. Mommy has been asking for this for about 6 months and they finally agreed to do it yesterday. I of course didn't like it but have been able to hear so much better that I'm a chatterbox now. And mommy can understand me better! I have to have ear drops for a week and then go back for a recheck.

Mommy interviewed me and these are my answers!
Favorite food: puppy food (I know this is funny so I said it to be funny!)
Favorite color: pink
Favorite drink: puppy juice (Ha! Ha!) mommy says milk and then watered down juice
Favorite character: Elmo and "Mouse" (refers to either Mickey or Minnie)
Best friend: Cooper
Favorite person to call on phone: Tie between MeMe, Granna, Pappaw, Nanny, Papa, Aunt Amy, Aunt Jamie, Daddy, Grandma Speed, Mammaw - I guess I just like to talk on the phone
Favorite person to "fake" calling on the phone: Brennan and Pappaw
Favorite toy: Barbies
Favorite shoes: tie between my rainboots and "flops"
Favorite song: I'm a Barbie Girl

Catching Up & Growing Up

I have turned into such a big girl lately. I'm doing better about going potty & have moved into pull-ups because I can manage going potty better with them. I love to pick out my clothes now and have a definite opinion  on what I like and don't like. My vocabulary is increasing rapidly and I am putting lots of words together. I know all of our routines but am very flexible and happy to be wherever we are.

We have gone to visit Foster and he's come here. We have a good time together and I talk about him a lot. I might say Fosfers, but mommy knows what I'm saying. One of my favorite new words is Bentley (I say Bentbee). He is my cousin due to be born in mid-July. I let mommy give Aunt Jamie a lot of my baby stuff including my mattress and room decorations. So mommy and daddy bought me a big girl full sized bed for my birthday! Pappaw and Granna bought me bedding for my birthday. It has owls, birds, and trees. I show everyone the owls because I really like them. Mommy painted 8 8x10 canvases with designs from the bedding for me while I learned how much fun Play-Doh can be!

I moved up a class at Gymboree and love it. I think I'm bigger than I am so the little kids in that other class couldn't keep up with me. I only have until the end of May and then we are taking a break for the summer.

My hair still has never been cut by the way! Can you believe I will be 2 in 4 days and I haven't had a haircut!? My hair is curly at the ends and looks great so mommy says there is no rush.

My birthday is the day after Easter this year so we are going camping. I'm really excited because I love being outside and Granna & Pappaw are coming too. I'm not having a big party but mommy has invited just a couple of friends for a "milk" party play date which should be fun!

Update on Me

Well Mommy has been a slacker posting about me lately, but we'll try to catch up. I was an angel for Halloween and was able to start back in Gymboree around the same time. I had a great Halloween and really enjoyed eating candy. Gymboree is so much fun! I start freaking out when we pull up to the place and have a lot of fun looking for Gymbo each class.

Mommy also started me back in MOPS so I am getting a lot more social interaction these days. I am having a little bit of trouble pushing and shoving but have been so much better lately.

The house is decorated for Christmas now and I love it! The tree smells so great and the lights are so pretty. Mommy taught me to say "Ho, Ho Ho" when someone asks what Santa says. I have have fun making people laugh with that. Bernard the Elf has been visiting us every night since last week. He does something crazy and I get so excited every morning to see what he does. I usually have to run in and wake mommy up to show her. I am also opening a My Little Pony advent calendar every morning. I love my little presents and have been going crazy over them.

I'm really starting to say a lot more words and am turning into a big girl very quickly. Mommy tells me to slow down, but I just gotta keep going!

I was a flower girl!

I was the flower girl at Aunt Jamie and Uncle AJ's wedding last Saturday. I had a lot of fun dumping out the flowers and also enjoyed all the practicing I did. Mommy walked with me down the aisle and then I fell asleep during the ceremony. I figured that after my entrance was over why should I have to suffer through a ceremony, right?

Princess Phone

My Uncle Mike sent a box of goodies to Cooper and me along with a $20 bill. Cooper immediately spent his on Legos and Bakugan, but I was saving mine. Last night mommy wanted to go to Target as part of her birthday activities and I found a Disney Princess phone. Even though the sound was not yet activated on any of them, I grabbed the 3 they had in stock and stacked them in the aisle and did a little happy jig. I was trying to tell mommy that it was the coolest, most awesome toy I've ever seen. I screamed I yelled and smiled and laughed a lot. Mommy got the hint. She said it was $19.99 and that she'd have to OK it with daddy. It took mommy a little bit to convince daddy but when he saw the joy this toy brings me, he succumbed. So I purchased the toy and have been playing with it non-stop. And of course Cooper plays with it too. Maybe a picture will be posted soon...

15 Month Check Up

I was 23 lbs and 14 oz and 32.5 inches long yesterday at my 15 month check up. Ms Judy said I was absolutely perfect and mommy agreed with her. Mommy said that she didn't even have to think about any of the milestones on the development checklist, I passed them all. I am slowly saying more words but I am still signing. This morning I signed "Thank You" for the first time. I also noticed the dog on mommy's tag last night and had to tell everyone about it. In case you didn't know I'm a fool for kitty cats and doggies.

In other news, I got a new car seat. It is pink and gray with butterflies all over it. I have secret toy compartments and a cup holder. It is actually a girl version of Cooper's car seat. I am really a big girl now! I like it a lot and we're using it a lot. Last week we went to a lake with our friends and tomorrow we're heading down to the first of our 3 Florida trips in the next 6 weeks.

Straws and Forks

I really like to drink using a straw. I like to eat using a fork. Just wanted you all to know that :-)

14 months and growing

I'm just growing up a lot lately. I can climb into a chair even better now. I did fall down on my head from standing on a bench the other day, but hey I'm getting there. Mommy figured out that I drink cow's milk the best not from a sippy cup but using a straw. Also before I turned 14 months old yesterday I had cut 16 of 20 baby teeth. I haven't had temps or too bad of diapers so far and only have the 4 molars to cut. However I have been fussy and mommy has been trying to wean me. So lately I've been looking a lot like this picture.

Gaining Control of the English Language

Well I have been able to sign "more," "all done," and "milk" for quite some time now. I thought I'd share a list of words that I can actually say. Here they are in no particular order "dada," "mama," "bubba," "hey," "bird," "kitty," "dog," and "ball." There are many more to come. I really enjoy expressing myself but get a little mad at times when mommy and daddy insist that I use words or sign to get what I want. In addition to English, I am working on that African language that uses the clicking sound. I particularly like to click when talking to our dog, Cinco.

We had a camp out this weekend. It was my first time sleeping in a tent. Since it was rainy we put the tent up inside the house. We've had campfires before but I enjoyed one on Friday again. This time I actually got some marshmallow and chocolate. Did you know that I absolutely go nuts for chocolate? Well I do!

1 Year Checkup

I had my 1 year checkup yesterday with Ms. Judy. She said I was practically perfect in every way and so beautiful. I weighed 21 lbs. 11 oz. (about 60th percentile), 31.5 inches (100th percentile), and my head was 18.25 in around (80th percentile).

I'm One and Spring Break 2009

I turned 1 on April 5th. Mommy had turned my car seat around the night before so I got to ride facing forward on my way to church. I signed "all done" on the way because I just wasn't used to it. But mommy said that I had to get used to it. I've grown to like it. After church we went out for a hibachi table lunch. The man sang Happy Birthday to me and shot silly string in my eyes. I gave him a "what are you doing" look but he just smiled and laughed and gave me my ice cream.

The next morning we headed to Florida for my 6th visit. We saw cousin Austen, Aunt Mimi, and Uncle Billy. And then the next day we headed to Orlando and prepared for invading Disney World.

I got a 1st visit pin and a Happy Birthday one too that mommy put on my hat and we rode the Ferry boat across. We went on the following rides - Magic Carpet Ride, Haunted Mansion (I slept through it), Pirates of the Caribbean, Thunder Mountain, Stitch's Great Escape, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear ride (my favorite), Jungle Cruise (we did it @ night which was cool), It's a Small World (I was mesmerized), Peter Pan, and Mickey's Philhar Magic. Daddy found my souvenir of the day in Adventureland - an elephant that converts from a plush to a pillow (I've been sleeping with it). The characters we saw were Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Smead, and Donald Duck. I was asleep by the time we left and didn't realize that we rode the monorail.

The next day Cooper decided to go to Hollywood Studios. We began the day with a character breakfast featuring Leo and June (Little Einsteins) and JoJo and Goliath (JoJo's Circus) from Playhouse Disney. We had super yummy food and filled our bellies up (they had Mickey Mouse shaped waffles!) until dinner time and I had a blast meeting the characters, getting them to sign my book, and dancing with them. We even got cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. They had orange muffins and I devoured one.

The rides/show we went on/saw were Star Tours (I actually couldn't go on this one so I hung out with mommy and then daddy while they did the ride switch thing), Muppets 3D, Sounds Dangerous (nap time for me!), Toy Story 3D (I really liked), Little Mermaid show, Stunt Cars show (I loved the fast cars), A Walk Through of Walt Disney's Life (nap time again for me), Movie Ride, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (I went down a huge slide while a lot of people watched), Prince Caspian show (terrible!!!), Playhouse Disney show featuring Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. I saw a lot of characters at Hollywood Studios: JoJo, Goliath, Leo, June, Annie, Goofy, Pluto (I got to play with his nose), Mickey Mouse (I grabbed his ears and stared at his hands), Bolt, Frozone, Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater. We also went through an animation class and daddy and I played with his wallet while mommy and Cooper drew. Oh and we ate dinner at Pizza Planet from Toy Story. We watched birds eat our pizza crumbs there. I bought a princess crown with blue and diamond jewels and a set of 6 princesses as my souvenirs. That night I fell asleep while we went to Fantasmic.

We had lunch the next day with Ms. Katherine (she gave me some clothes!!!) and headed to Papa and Nanny's. Mommy and daddy started preparing for my 1st birthday party. Mommy made me a special cake just for me along with a really nice lunch. We had lots of family there including 3 great grandmothers, 1 great grandfather, all my grandparents, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. I got a lot of really cool toys including a grow with me kitchen, a little 4 wheeler, clothes, jewelry, baby dolls, a musical guitar, blocks, and bowls and such. I had so much fun on my birthday and have decided to have MANY more!

I have really started playing even more and I can walk really well now even turning around. I am enjoying the beginning of toddlerhood.

These Legs Were Made for Walking

And that's just what I do! I can walk now. I've been walking really well for about two weeks now. The last couple of days I have really taken off and can walk much longer distances. I started taking my first steps a while back but learning to balance on these two legs has taken some time. I still crawl sometimes when I want to get somewhere fast, but I am definitely on the move. What I really enjoy doing is climbing. Mommy has found me 2/3 of the way up the stairs, on top of the train table, on the living rooms chairs, on the stool in the kitchen, and attempting much more (I actually crawled on top of the table at brother's school yesterday at a party - it isn't a party until someone gets on top of a table). I am just trying to make sure she pays attention to me. Seriously I love to climb - so watch out world, here I come!

By the way, everyone keeps telling me I'm about to have a birthday. I'm not sure what that means. I hear some cake, a party, and a trip to Disney World is coming up in a few days. But the best news I've heard so far is that my car seat will be turned around tomorrow!!! I am super excited.

In and Out

I have been having a ton of fun lately putting objects into containers. Then I take them out and put them back in again. I can go on for hours. I use my shape sorter, bat bag, purse, soap box, or whatever is lying around. Right now I am putting apple slices into a soap box I wouldn't let go of for snack. The apple slices go in, then out, then in, then out. It is FASCINATING!!! I am in serious need of a purse. Maybe someone will get me one for my birthday.

I am sneaking in a cute picture of me in my Easter outfit. Mommy took bubbie and me to get our pictures taken and then came home and made us take more pictures. I'm sure she'll post the pro ones on here later.

My First Ever Pigtails

I have had a problem with people thinking I'm a boy since I was really little. When you don't have much hair, people assume you're a boy. Sometimes I wear a blue outfit with hearts and flowers all over it and I get called a boy because of the blue. But one time I was called a boy when I had head to toe bright pink on. I really don't think I look like a boy but to ease the confusion mommy has put bows in my hair. However I am turning quickly into a toddler so the bows are coming out and going right in my mouth. The other day mommy picked up some tiny rubber bands and yesterday she put my hair in pigtails. Performing a little experiment, she dressed me in a yellow Indy 500 shirt that Pappaw brought me as a souvenir from the race. I think it is the most boyish piece of clothing I own. Well all day long everyone just at first glance said, what a cute little girl. The pigtails did it! No one was confused even with my most confusing outfit. Today without the pigtails in a more girlish outfit I have been called a boy twice. I am working on growing out my hair because I don't think I want to be mistaken for a boy all my life!

First Snow

I've been a bit fussy lately as I have 3 molars coming in at once. It hurts so bad but I'm trying to deal with it. So yesterday we stayed home from home since bubba had a fever on Friday and Saturday and I hadn't slept much the last several nights. Mommy was so glad we were home because at around 12:30 it started to snow. It snowed for about 6 hours! I was mesmerized by the snow falling and enjoyed going out in the snow for a bit. It was super cold though as we picked a time to go out in the heavy snowfall with wind. Mommy gave bubba and me a warm bath though and we were all good. (Notice the flying snowball in the picture.)

I went to the zoo for the first time the other day. I didn't have any kind of super exciting story to tell about it except that I have always enjoyed observing the behavior of animals. We had fun.

2 Steps & Laughter

I have been trying for quite a while and falling down, but last night mommy stood me up and I took two steps toward her. Daddy was watching so I picked the perfect time to display my new skill. I was so proud of myself and just laughed. I took one more step later but this walking thing is actually a lot harder than it looks. I think I'll continue to practice before declaring that I can walk. I'm very proud of myself though.

I have to say that I have been laughing a lot more lately. I've been finding all kinds of new things funny. Of course when my brother says words like "diaper, poop, pooty, pee" I just crack up. Mommy gets mad that I like these words but I just do. Another thing I have discovered is shaking my head like I'm saying "yes". I look like I'm head banging at times but it is a lot of fun. Mommy does it back to me and her hair flies everywhere and I just crack up. And of course being a girlie girl, I'm perfecting my art of crying to get what I want. I poke out my bottom lip, even bring on some tears and boom, bam I get whatever I want! Pretty cool trick, don't you think?

A shout out to my cousin Foster - today is his 1st birthday! That means only 6 weeks and 5 days until mine (we're 7 weeks apart exactly but leap year took away a day).

My First Roll in the Grass

Who would have thought we'd have a lovely Spring weekend here in Georgia in February? Mommy had warned me that February is a totally useless month full of illness and gloom, but I think she might be wrong - well at least she was this weekend. Since I am mobile (did you know I can walk if I hold at least one of your fingers?) I crawled around in the grass for the first time ever yesterday and today. It was a totally new experience and quite fun. I had a great time picking through the grass. I only tried to eat a few leaves, but they didn't taste too good. I have a feeling that I might just get a lot more time outside if the nice weather keeps coming.

I Think I Can

I think I can walk. I stand up all day long, many times by myself. I try to take a step and then I fall. Mommy does hold my hands and I walk though. I am so ready to be able to do everything that my big brother Cooper does. That crawling and being held all the time is for the birds now.

Today was my last day at Gymboree for a while. I really like going but we're taking a break for a bit. That's ok though because I just like spending time with mommy while Cooper is in school. I don't mind what we do.

9 Month Checkup

I had my 9 month checkup last week and Ms Judy said I was perfect in every way. Well I told her I agreed. I weighed in at 19 pounds, 15 ounces which is 80% and 29 inches which is 91%. I didn't have to be poked or anything so I was happy. I am crawling really well now. I can get where I need to go very quickly. I stood by myself for a few seconds last Friday. I am so excited to be so mobile!

My First Christmas

I was so excited during my first Christmas! I got to see many beautiful things like store displays and pretty wrapping paper. I wore several cute Christmas outfits and got my picture taken many times. I did spend way too much time in the car seat though. I screamed every time I saw that thing for weeks. I visited Santa Claus a few times and he must have thought I was a good girl because I got a dollhouse, a pet care house, and 3 Little Pigs story activity plus lots of cool stocking stuffers. Everyone seemed to give me a doll! My wardrobe was increased greatly with some super cute clothes too. I had a great first Christmas and I would probably say my favorite thing was that I learned to crawl December 13th and how to pull up December 26th. Well eating the wrapping paper was a lot of fun too.