My Niece, Lindsay

Not many kids can have their niece babysit them! Lindsay came over to take care of me while Mommy and Daddy went to see Bill Cosby. We played, read and watched t.v....all my favorite activities!

From Daddy

Now that you're two

You're even more you

In everything you do

That's why my love's so true

-Daddy

Two Years and a Month - Yikes!

Dearest Victoria Pearl,

You bring joy to my life with your bright smiles and belly laughs. I am so grateful to be able to spend so much time with you. I love making breakfast while we are still in our jammies (you are getting quite good at cracking the eggs and getting them IN the bowl). I love surprising you with a quick trip to the park on the way to run errands. I watch you in the rear view mirror and see the excitement start in your face and descend upon your whole body. I love watching you learn and make new discoveries about this big world. Quite simply, I love you.

In between those (mostly) happy times, you have shown frustration over not getting your way. You have always been such an easy-going child, that there hasn't been a whole lot of opportunities or reasons to set limits for you or tell you NO. You are now forming your own opinions about how things should run, and get frustrated when something doesn't go according to your plan. In other words, you are normal!

What else is going on with you this month? You can focus for much longer periods during reading - you love nothing better than crawling into a lap to have books read to you. The Princess and the Pea version we have is 48 pages, and you sit perfectly still through until the end. You love "I SPY" books and can find and point out things that we have never even talked about. You are getting more brave with your physical feats, climbing and descending the stairs by yourself (reluctantly at times because you still prefer to be carried), jumping, diving, walking backwards, sliding down the slide face first. Your favorite activity is pretend play. You love "talking" on the phone, taking care of your dolls, and playing in your kitchen and then letting us taste your cooking. You are still not talking very much, but can communicate quite effectively. Daddy says you have us trained well, and he is right! The weather has been warmer, so you are enjoying your time outside. We have spent lots of time at the park where you always make new friends. You have been taking super long naps - three to four HOURS! Your hair is growing longer (but not thicker!) so you have been sporting some pretty cute ponytails! You HATE to brush your teeth right now. You are starting to experiment with drinking from a cup without a lid. I am proud of all your accomplishments!

Know that you are loved and adored, my sweet daughter.

Love,
Mommy

My Playroom is (Finally) Finished

Here's the much simplified version of the process: The room was cleared of its old furniture. The carpet was cleaned. The walls and trim were painted. The new furniture arrived and was put together. The tent was secured to the ceiling. Four rugs and various storage baskets were bought before finding the "perfect" ones. The window treatments were sewn and put up. The scalloped monogram and quote went up on the walls. The toys, dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, books, puzzles, dolls all found their way to the room...so IT IS FINALLY COMPLETE and I LOVE IT! I am having so much fun with everything. Come over to play soon!

More Photos

Here are some more photos from my recent photo session...

Pretty as a Picture

Blowing Kisses

Definitely a Belly Laugh!

Happy Birthday, Tripp

Tripp and his Thomas the Train Cake - YUMMY!

Today was my friend Tripp's 3rd Birthday Party. There was a petting zoo with pigs, goats, chickens, bunnies and a nice goose (as you can tell, I was especially fond of the bunnies). There was also a pony to ride, which I opted out of. Yeah, I know...I rode a horse a few months ago (see my October 26, 2008 post for the video), but if there is one thing to know about a toddler it's that we can change our minds about just about everything!

Tea Party

A couple of weeks ago, I had my two-year-old photo shoot. "Two-year-old" and "photo shoot" is a tough combination, but there were some good shots that I'll be sharing in the next few days. Since having tea parties is my favorite thing in the world right now (even the man who came to measure for some carpet had to have a quick tea party with me), I brought my tea set and one of my dolls to the shoot.

Who Needs Clothes?

In Mommy's Parents magazine this month there is an article explaining why toddlers love to be naked. It was timely because getting me dressed has become quite a struggle for Mommy. I tug on my shoes, I pull my top or dress up over my head, etc... Meanie Mommy doesn't really listen to me and wrestles me into my clothes (if we are home, she is flexible, but she seems to insist I wear clothes and shoes when we are out). Doting Daddy; however, is certain there must be something in my shoe that is poking me or the band on my top is too tight and immediately takes it all off to check. This is why it is Mommy's responsiblity to get me dressed. If it were Daddy's job, I would be naked or wear my Emler Swim School T-shirt every day.

Mommy, I just want you to know that I understand your frustration. I can't seem to keep my babies dressed, either. Did that article have any good suggestions?

New Barstools

First of all, yes, Mommy cut my bangs!

Next...It's no secret that when I came along, I brought with me the neccesity for Mommy and Daddy's life to change. Some have been significant (did Daddy really think he would be raising a two year old at this point in his life?) and some pretty minor...like the need for barstools with backs and arms. I have really, really, really wanted to sit at the counter in the kitchen, but our old barstools provided no barrier between the hard stone floor and me, and since I am such a big girl now, I never wanted anyone helping support me. Now, I can sit at the counter all on my own! Mommy says it's a perfect combination of safety and independence.

Elmo...Really, Really Live

For Christmas, I received the Elmo Live doll, which moves, tells stories, laughs, sneezes, etc...Even though he seems live, he is really just a doll. Today however, I saw the real live Elmo at the Frank Erwin Center in the show Elmo's Green Thumb. There was lots of singing and dancing by the Sesame Street gang and lots of clapping and cheering from me.

Love, Daddy

Daddy sent Mommy a big bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day and guess what? The delivery man had some for me too!

Valentine's Cookes

Today Mommy and I made some cookies for our sweetie - DADDY

They started as hearts, but ended up as circles

Tasting the Finished Product

Daddy like them...

and thanked me with a big smooch!

Toddling Can Be Rough

Just to reinforce yesterday's comment that my legs are always showing the effects of my frequent tumbles, check out his photo of me in my Sunday best - frilly socks, patent leather mary-janes and about 15 scratches peeking out between there and my dress.

Big Girl Behavior

I've started crossing my (always bruised, scratched) legs when I sit.

My Daddy, the Planner

I love my Daddy!

I have always done this thing with my tongue when I concentrate.

Yes, I have finally mastered stairs...again, look at the tongue.

It was super windy!

It's a good thing I weigh 27 lbs...otherwise I might have blown away!

Belgian Chocolate Hits the Spot!

Tummy Full of Ice Cream=One Happy Girl

Daddy is a planner. He won't wear a shirt without a pocket because he needs his calendar with him at all times. Today, he proposed a plan (actually three different plans/timelines) for us to go downtown to Whole Foods for lunch and play on the roof-top playscape. Even though that part was planned, he did spontaneously stop at Amy's for ice cream. Thanks, Daddy, for planning the perfect way to spend a Saturday!

Two Year Old Doctor Visit

Dr. Dan is the man!

The waiting room is full of fun stuff!

Reading the Little Golden book Dr. Dan the Bandage Man...how funny!

I got what I came for...we can leave now.

Today was my two year check-up with Dr. Dan. As always, I greeted him with a hug. It's the perfect way to say hello...and it puts me in the perfect position to steal his stethoscope. He checked me from head to toe and reported that I am the picture of health! If so, why did I need that shot that came a few minutes later????

I am 35 inches long and weigh 27 lbs (although I have to add that I did go to The Frisco for breakfast just before my weigh-in and uncharacteristically ate and ate and ate. The biscuit alone probably weighed a pound, so 26lbs. is probably more accurate!)