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Adela Lane, you are now 2 years old, and so far it’s anything but terrible. Yes, you are opinionated, you test boundaries, you are a lot of work, it’s not always easy. But in all honestly, the hard moments? They’re maybe 5-10% of the total experience. I don’t want you to grow up thinking that I thought your childhood was perfect. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but I am honest in this blog. I want you to know that. I’m not painting a perfect childhood for you. I really am this happy to be your Mom. And you really are as wonderful as I make you out to be. You changed my life. But I LOVE being your mom. It’s truly better than anything else I could possibly want to be doing. And that’s not a rosy coloring of the truth. It’s the truth. You are a blessing, 100% of the time. I love you, WE love you, with all our hearts and I think you are the most amazing person I have ever known.
These monthly updates are a time for me to talk about challenges we’re facing as well as the good times. I remember a time when most of what I talked about was all our challenges with nursing, hehe. Can’t say I miss that battle. 🙂 Right now, when I sit down to right these updates, it isn’t the challenges that come to mind. It’s the cute stuff you’re doing. I’m sure in the future, there will be times when the opposite is true. But for now, it’s gonna be another light-hearted post, more cute stuff, because you are a QT.
In no particular order, things I want to remember about you and your sweet little personality at 24 months…
*You’ve learned how to squeeky smack when you purse your lips and kiss. That classic kiss sound. And you want to test it out on us all the time. You’ve been kissing for a long time, and you kind of popped your lips apart, but this genuine smooch sound, that’s new this month.
*Talking is still really slow in coming. It’ll be interesting to see what the Dr says next month when we take you in for your 2 year check up. You do add words slowly though. You now say “Num” when you think something is delicious or just want a bite of whatever I’m eating. Mima has also taught you to aaaaalmost say “I love Momma”. In reality you say, “Eye OOh Momma”. 🙂 The other day, Mima and I swear you said “I don’t know” as clear as day. But you won’t do it again. You also said cracker the other day when you were desperate to get some off the counter. You’re starting to do that a lot, say words when you’re not thinking about them. But ask you to say it again, no way. You are so stubborn about it. It’s part of who you are. We don’t understand it, but it’s okay. We’ll figure it out.
* You do this new thing to add to the wealth of affection you give to us. And it’s so sweet it literally has made more than one person tear up. You will randomly grab our faces in your hands, look us in the eye, smile and then hug. You could not be sweeter. You pulled this move on Mima while we were waiting in line for It’s a Small World at Disneyland just as the Disney snow started falling. I think that might have been the happiest moment of Mima’s life. I’m sure she’d at least claim it’s in the top 10.
*You learned how to hold your two fingers up to show you’re 2 years old. We have to help get your thumb in position to hold down your fingers, but you will ask us to help you do it and then beam with profound concentration when you manage to hold it there for a moment. You learned to do this the day before your second birthday, thanks to Mima.
 
* You love playing pretend. You pull out your tea set and your make up kit more than anything else these days. You spray and blow dry hair, put on lipstick, paint nails and serve tea and cakes with milk and sugar to anyone in the general vicinity.
*You are still obsessed with Itsy Bitsy Spider and ask for us to sing it by making your spider climb at least once per day. You’ve added to that Open Them Shut Them which you now love equally as much, and you do all the motions along with us.
* Go Away Big Green Monster is officially your first book obsession. We read it at your request (a hearty roar) at least 2-5 times per day, at bed time and before naps. This morning it was the first thing you asked for when Daddy got you up and him reading it to you was the sweet scene I walked in on when I wandered into your room. Originally I borrowed it from the library. When I had to take it back and you kept asking for it, I ordered it as a Christmas present, wrapped it and put it under the tree. When you kept asking for it, we opened the present early.
*A couple weeks ago you learned how to “jump” – in quotations because it’s more like a quick 2-step. But it’s really cute and you’re very proud. We play follow the leader around our kitchen/living room. We march, jump, hop, spin, go fast, go slow. It’s fun.
*You love the word “no” of course. But you say it with the slight “d” in front of it. dOooooh. And you say it a lot.
* When you get excited, or just want to move fast you have a really adorable, girly walk that is almost a twist. You rotate your hips when you walk. It makes us laugh.
*You’re starting to get good at your number and alphabet puzzles. You can match up probably 50-70% of them on your own. We’re getting better at basic colors and matching. You are very independent and have to be in the mood to participate in learning activities like this. I almost have to trick you into thinking it’s your idea. Otherwise, it’s a no go. But you can do it when you want to.
*When you’re figuring something out – like say I ask you which balloon is pink – you put your finger up to your lip, which you put off tot he side, and say “hmmmm…” while figuring it out. Seriously. It’s the most group up gesture, and it’s really cute.
More pics from your Birthday and from Disneyland coming up next…. Kisses! XXOO