Two years...

About two years ago, I had a squishy little newborn in my arms.  Now, I have a squirmy, sassy, charismatic, charming little two year old running circles around me.

 

More and more often, I look at you and think, 'She's not a baby...she's a GIRL!?'.

And more and more often, you prove just that: talking in full sentences, counting to 15, watching movies and laughing at the right parts, putting your shoes away on the shoe rack as soon as you walk in the door, doing your 'chores', picking out what you want to wear...the list goes on and on.

 

Some of my favorites of Grace right now:

If I ask you a question, you will usually start out by saying, "how 'bout...." and then take a really long pause before finishing, "popsicle?"

You will also say, "ummmmmmmmmmmmmm" and hold it out FOREVER before finishing your thought. You're a dramatic one.

Daddy's favorite thing in the world is when you say, "Okay". You do make it awfully cute, when you  stretch it out and it sounds more like, "Ow-kaaaay".

You especially like to use "okay" when you are playing with your dolls. (or when mommy asks you to be a nice girl after time-out!)

 

You really are a joy to be around. You are (mostly) happy, and you are so smart.  In fact, as I was writing this, you saw this picture (below) and pointed to it and said, "That's TWO!" That shocked me!

 

And, you are officially two. You've been sassy for a long while, but I never knew that it turned into the 'terrible two's' literally the DAY you turned two.  Before we could even open up presents on your birthday, you threw yourself down on the ground and began to kick your legs and scream! Where did you even learn that, girly?

 

But, even though the tantrums get old, and the whining seems overwhelming...with it comes funny faces, 'smackeroos',  loud laughter, crazy dancing, made up songs, hide-and-seek, and dress up.

 

You having your own little personality comes with your own opinions, and although sometimes it makes life more complicated, I wouldn't change it.

 

You crack me up when you come with your collection of hair clips, and demand to wear them all at once.

You make us giggle when you are convinced that the underwear go on top of your pants.

 

You make me smile when you demand to wear your hula skirt to meet with the Bishop for tithing settlement.

 

I can't help but laugh when you request 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' EVERY night for your bedtime song.

 

My heart wants to burst when, after I read you a book you say, "My turn" and then proceed to recite the whole book to me.

You are our joy, Grace Nicole.

Don't change one bit.

(except the tantrum part....I could do without that!)

 

and because I like comparisons: