Almost Two

Dear Nora,

You will be 2 years old in a week and a half! I have been preparing all sorts of baby items to donate lately and it has made me pretty nostalgic for when you and Luke were just babies. At the same time, I found myself glad to realize I bought our last half gallon of whole milk at the store this week, since you will start drinking 1% soon, like most of the family. I feel bad that I haven't kept up better with your blog lately. In some ways you seem to be developing and growing so quickly that I can't keep up with the changes. But I also find myself with very little time to really think or focus. So, as you approach 2, I want to capture what I can, scattered as it may be.

You can say so many words. At age 2, toddlers are supposed to have 50 words and I remember being really concerned because Luke probably didn't have half that number. Well, you may just know double that number! You will repeat anything and you love to point out what things are for others to acknowledge: shirt, bear, chair, couch, fountain, airplane (sounds like "happy"). You say "home" when we pull into the driveway and you have recently started singing "Jesus Loves Me" when I put you to bed and saying "I love you" when I tell you the same. You know your colors, some letters (I haven't worked with you on this at all, oops) and like to count with Luke. You count 1, 2, 3... and then often skip to 8, 9, 10. :)

You love to get down and walk or run with Luke. The last few months at preschool drop off, you wanted to get down and walk with Luke to his class, excitedly going right to his room. When I picked you up from church yesterday you and your friend Knox were running up and down the room and you were happily saying "running". When we left our community group last night you said "fun" and "friends." You had a hard time the first several weeks, but did your best last night with the teenage babysitters. It's been harder to keep my eye on both you and Luke at parks lately, because whereas you used to stick right by my side, now you want to climb. You still don't want to go down the slide without holding my hands, but you are certainly on the move.

And speaking of Luke, you sure love your brother. You love to sit on the couch with him to watch a show after breakfast and you love to play trains! He clearly loves you, too. He often wants you to play with him and is disappointed if you aren't interested. He loves to get you up in the morning if he's up first and you ask about him when you are up first. You also know how to stand up for yourself and have taken to hitting when he gets in your space or threatens to take a toy. You know to stand in the corner for timeout, then when it's over, will happily say "sorry" and give him a hug. You love to say "night night" when it's time for bed and will run to give him and Daddy hugs before I put you in your bed.

You LOVE cheerios, crackers, stickers, and playing outside, especially with bubbles. You had your first powdered sugar donut in Galveston a few weeks ago and excitedly asked for an "o-nut" when you saw that Wesley was going to have one, even though you didn't know what it was. You speak your mind when you don't like the food I put in front of you (even if it's your favorite, burritos), but then sometimes start eating with tears rolling down your cheeks when I walk away and ignore you. You are still a picky eater, but have ventured out and started eating some chicken and pasta.

You have become more confident and friendly in your interactions, sometimes giving hugs and high fives to people at church. You can be quite the entertainer when you're not feeling shy. You like to laugh and you love to have your picture taken and say "cheese!" When you toot you say "muse me" and want to make sure you have been heard before you go on with what you were doing. You say "hold you" when you want to be held and you love to now crawl up the stairs and scoot down by yourself. You have just learned to go grab your shoes, put them on when it's time to go somewhere, and once we get home, take them off and put them away. I am grateful for your new skill and you are quite proud of yourself!

You still don't sleep as late as I'd like, either in the morning or for naps. If Daddy's available, sometimes he will go lie down in your room and you'll go back to sleep. I'm not so patient, but sometimes if I am holding you on the couch after a nap, you may fall back to sleep. You like to take your time to ease back into the day.

I am constantly thanking God for you, for the gift you are to our family, for your sweet personality, your growth and development, your health, and that I get to put you to bed in a safe place, clean and fed every night. What tremendous gifts these are from Him. We love you, dear Nora, and are excited to celebrate you at your "star party" this weekend!

Love,
Mommy

Naps

Dear Nora,

You've taken a couple afternoon naps like this lately and I think you are a fan. :) You like to cuddle on the couch when you wake up from your nap in bed and occasionally you fall back asleep. I love the time with you and know these days won't last forever!

Love,
Mommy

Daddy likes to get in on the action, too, but he prefers to sleep along with you. :)