My baby girl is 2 today! She is so different today than she was just a year ago. She is more sure on her feet, definitely more verbal, and can do so much more than she could back then.
Some of the things she does that make me smile:
She still loves to spin when dancing, encouraging her dad and I to join in on the fun.
Twirling in circles and insisting I fall down right along side her, only to get up and repeat the process over and over.
How she adds "so much" to the end of her sentences (examples include "I love you so much!" or "I miss you so much!" or "I broke it so much!") ~ a sign I use the phrase too much!
"Just one more, please" - a phrase used often when she wants something, even when coming back for seconds, thirds and fourths.
The way she blows kisses.
The way she cuddles up next to me when we are watching television or reading on the couch.
The way she sits in my lap when we read together.
The way she caresses my arm and face when she's trying to fall asleep.
The way she fake cries, "Wah! Wah!" and then laughs.
"The bear is coming!" - how she encourages us to hide with her from the imaginary bear, checking now and then to see if he's still there.
The way she crouches down and creep forward, flashlight (tube of toothpaste) in hand, peering into the dark cave (bathroom).
The potty dance.
The potty dance.
Enjoying imaginary picnic lunches with her.
How she always asks for an apple to delay going to bed.
The way she sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Wheels on the Bus, The ABC song.
The way she always sings a clean up song when cleaning up.
How eager to help she is.
How she loves to say, "Catch!" and then throw the ball at me.
The way she eats her taco, from the middle of the bottom first.
The way she pretends to talk on the phone, "Hello! How are you?"
The way she says, "No saying!" when she wants me to stop talking (when I'm talking to someone else).
I love how when she is given two of some special treat, she always gives one to me or her dad or her friend.
Seeing her play with her friends; how excited she get when she sees them, and how she holds her own even with the older kids.
How she always responds with, " I pushed Austin," when I ask her what she did that day at school whether Austin was there or not.
Her hugs.
Her kisses.
Her laugh.
Her smile.
How energetic she is!
And how playful.
The way she shakes her head to feel her hair move.
Seeing how resourceful she is and how quickly she learns to do things.
How she reaches up on her tiptoes to open closed doors.
How she insists that all doors be closed after she enters or leaves a room.
How she says, "Riley! I'm home!" when we come home at the end of the day.
The way she runs to me when I come pick her up from school and then takes me by the hand to whatever she'd been doing when I arrive so I can join in the fun too.
The way she runs to greet her dad when he gets home from work.
How obsessed she is with Dora and Caillou and Mickey Mouse.
Hearing her say good morning and seeing her bright smile when we wake up together.
How she loves to play with her cars and train one minute, build a doghouse with her Duplo Legos the next, and then nurture and care for her baby dolls.
How she tells her dolls "It's okay" when they are sad.
How she tells her dolls "It's okay" when they are sad.
How much she loves being outdoors.
Watching her race to the door when the doorbell rings.
Crawling and hiding in her dad made fort with her.
Watching her race to the door when the doorbell rings.
Crawling and hiding in her dad made fort with her.
How she chases the dog around the house and throws him his ball.
Listening to her count out tortillas and cups of flour with her dad.
Listening to her count out tortillas and cups of flour with her dad.
"I tickle you!"
Watching her sleep.
Just about everything she does makes me smile, when it comes right down to it. I feel so lucky to have Mouse in my life.
Happy Birthday, Mouse!
[March is a busy month in my household with birthdays and a wedding and a houseful of guests. I am taking three and a half weeks off from blogging as a result. Enjoy your reading!]
© 2013, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Wow, she sure has grown! She's absolutely beautiful! Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteAnna - Time sure has flown by. Thank you!
DeleteHappy Birthday to your precious little Mouse! I loved your list of "reasons to love....". Daughters are such a joy!
ReplyDeleteKay - Thanks! She loved all the attention she got this past weekend. :-) And, yes, she is definitely a joy.
DeleteWhat a lovely tribute to an adorable little girl! Isn't funny how you love to twirl until you get dizzy when you're young but hate it when you get vertigo as you age? Keep enjoying that precious little girl!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Thank you, Kathy! Haha! That is so true.
DeleteHappy Birthday Mouse!!
ReplyDeleteCaspette - Thank you! We started officially potty training yesterday . . . She's been using the toilet for seven months off and on, but it's finally time to take it to the next level, I think. So, I may be leaning on you pretty heavy the next couple of weeks or so. I hope you are feeling okay. I think of you often.
DeleteShe's so adorable! Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteLynne - Thank you!
DeleteAwww - what a sweetie! Happy Birthday to Mouse, and happy birth-day to mommy! =)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - Thank you, Elizabeth! I can't believe it's been 2 years. Mouse is such a sweetheart. I'm blessed to have her in my life.
DeleteThis beautiful post to your beautiful Mouse brought tears to my eyes. Sheis adorable. And funny!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Mouse!! Best wishes for a terrific year!
Have a fun, fantastic Birthday celebration...all of you!
Amy - Thank you! I think she's pretty adorable too. Although I am biased. ;-)
DeleteShe is such a blessing! Happy Birthday sweet girl. I love your tribute...it makes me smile and remember that age.
ReplyDeleteSandy - Yes, she is! I am so glad she is in my life. Thank you for the birthday wishes!
DeleteI loved reading this post - I miss this age so much.
ReplyDeleteCarrie - It's a great age, isn't it? Except maybe for the tantrums. LOL But even some of them are smile worthy.
DeleteShe a sweetie! You and Trish sure have me anxious for my nieces to have babies!!
ReplyDeleteCJ - Don't rush it! LOL You'll make a great aunt.
DeleteAwwww! Happy Birthday to her! Little Miss Grown Up! :)
ReplyDeleteBecca - Thank you, Becca! Now that she's wearing regular underwear, all I hear is "I a big girl now!" Haha!
DeleteHappy birthday, Mouse! Wendy, she's just adorable and you've reminded me how great kids this age are.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Thanks! She's so much fun. I know we have some struggles ahead of us as she exerts more and more of her independence, but I know we will all be growing together. I'm excited! All the while wishing we could hold onto this age a little longer. LOL
DeleteShe is so adorable!! Happy 2nd Birthday!! Your list made me all teary eyed!!!
ReplyDeleteStaci - I got teary-eyed writing it. :-) Thanks, Staci!
DeleteWhat a wonderful post! I wish I'd kept lists like this when my munchkins were little. Happy birthday to your gorgeous Mouse.
ReplyDeleteSteph - Thank you! My husband has been keeping a journal for Mouse since she was born. I wish I'd been in a better frame of mind to do that too.
DeleteAww, so sweet. What a change from one to two indeed.
ReplyDeleteDiane - Such a big change! And I hear the change between two and three is another big one.
DeleteHaving a kid in the FB and Twitter age is sure different than when my kids were little. You have all these wonderful archives of great stuff. Pictures, posts, etc. It's been a real treat seeing her grow up. She is always so adorable and sweet. I am late to the party but wish her a Happy Bday for me!
ReplyDeleteTi - Thanks! My "photo album" of Maggie's first years is a printed book, all of digitally taken photos. So much different than when I was growing up.
DeleteSuch a lovely age I think, no longer babies they are beginning to become their own people.
ReplyDeleteA bit younger than my great-nephew who was 2 in December I'd love it if you could suggest some books we might like.
Tracy - Yes, she's now entering the next stage in her life. She definitely has a mind of her own now and wants what she wants when she wants it. :-) I've loved watching her grow and develop over these past couple of years. And look forward to seeing the type of person she will become as she continues to grow and learn.
DeleteBooks . . . We still read mostly board books (she's a bit rough with her books). The Dr. Seuss series is her absolute favorite right now. Anything that requires counting or saying the alphabet are big hits right now too. I want to start featuring more of what we're reading together again after I come back from my break.
That was such a sweet and heartwarming post, Wendy. :) Thank you for sharing all the daily sweetness of your little girl.
ReplyDeleteNicole - Thank you, Nicole. :-) She's such a sweetheart and is the light of my life.
DeleteHappy, happy birthday to Mouse! I can't believe she is two already! And what a wonderful birthday party she must have had...my kids have always loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse as well :)
ReplyDeleteSamantha - Thank you! I can't believe it either. It seems like just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. She had such fun at her party. Our daycare provider is an angel. She often lets the kids have their parties there so they can be with all their friends. Mouse loves anything to do with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
DeleteShe is so precious!
ReplyDeleteStacy - Thank you. :-)
DeleteHappy Birthday Mouse! I can't believe you are already two! You are very lucky to have such a wonderful mommy who notices so many things that make you loveable!
ReplyDeleteKathleen - Aw, thank you! I think Mouse's mom and dad are the lucky ones. :-)
DeleteHappy belated birthday to Mouse! Time flew so fast and your beautiful daughter is two already!! :D
ReplyDeleteAlice - Thank you!
DeleteSorry I'm so late here but with dad in the hospital I got behind in blog reading. I still wanted to wish Mouse a belated Happy Birthday! It seems like just yesterday she was born and here she is already two. Time sure flies. She's such a precious and beautiful girl!
ReplyDeleteDarlene - It's never to late to wish someone a happy birthday! :-) Thank you. I am so sorry about your dad's troubles. I am thinking of all of you.
DeleteHi Wendy! I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award! Come see at
ReplyDeletehttp://bunnystuff.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/the-liebster-blog-award/
Jaimie
Jaimie - Ah, thanks!
DeleteAnd Happy Birthday to Mouse!!
ReplyDeleteJaimie - Mouse thanks you too. :-)
Delete