C & T plus Baby Makes 3!: Letters to Reese-- TWO YEARS Old!

Our very first picture together.

And now, one of my favorite most recent pictures.

Reese,

You turned TWO years old on July 18th, 2013. TWO YEARS OLD! How in the world did that happen?! Each time I've sat down to write you this letter, I've found a reason not to start it. It's as if I'm afraid I won't be able to explain how awesome you are from this keyboard. Seriously, you are awesome! Watching you learn new skills and seeing your language explode is the best thing ever! Each day you learn something new. You are blowing our minds with your memory, and the simple ability to have a conversation with you, where you UNDERSTAND what we are saying and actually respond within the correct context. Say, what??!

Anyway, I think we are starting to get over the hump that is terrible two's/tantrum city. I would say that you've been the most challenging from 18 months until now. You have such a strong will and are very independent which at times can cause you to resist instructions, following directions, etc. For example, I'll tell you to stay on this side of the street (on our street at home) and you'll give me this look and purposefully walk to the other side of the street. You can be fresh! I wouldn't change your strong will for anything though, as that is exactly how I've always been, and I'm sure it's going to get your far in school and in your career. Drive and confidence are skills that you possess that will prove you success. I keep telling myself that when you're having a challenging day. I also think that the more you are able to express yourself, the less whining there is-- hopefully that's not just wishful thinking. When you start to whine, I immediately ask you what's wrong, and tell you to use your words.

3 short months ago you became a big sister and surpassed Daddy and my expectations of your new role. You have nothing but love for Adeline, and watching you love on her could possibly be the sweetest thing that I've ever seen in my entire life. You ask to hold her, you always are there to give her the binky, get a diaper for me to change her, and now that she's able to sit in the Bumbo you happily will sit with her and a box of infant toys giving her one at a time. You absolutely love when you take tubbies together, and think it's so cool to ride side-by-side in the City Mini stroller. You've never once shown any jealousy with me, however over the past few weeks you've been saying funny things when Daddy holds Adeline. "No daddy hold her. Mommy hold baby. Daddy hold Reesey." Hmmmmm, Daddy's girl much?!

You've been thriving at school, and you got your first "report card" and exceeded expectations on most everything. Your teachers keep commenting on your language and how much you're talking. You very rarely cry at drop offs, and are happy for pick-ups. You seem to have lots of friends at school and really enjoy going. I feel very lucky that we are able to send you to school. You have been going 3 days per week since Adeline was born.

Playing at the park.

Reese's 2 Year Stats:

Weight: No weight check until your 2 year appointment (which got rescheduled until Sept 3rd), but I'd guess 25lbs.

Height: 34.5" by Storyland's measurements, haha.

Clothing: 2T

Diapers: Size 4 (which you've been in since 1 year old). I also just realizing that you weighed 22.5lbs at 1! You've grown a couple of inches, but only a few lbs in a year! It's because you're so active I'm sure.

Favorite Toys: You are obsessed with babies and all of their accessories. You have also just started to really love princesses. You got a princess castle from Papi and Kathy for your birthday and love that. Emma bought you these little princess figurines which have since spawned your interest into watching Sofia the First instead of any of your favorite Disney shows. I think we may need to put in a request to Santa this year for a few Disney Princess movies.

Favorite Past Time: You love being outside, riding your power wheels, your bike, and taking rides in your wagon. We just had the pool installed at the beginning of the summer, and you are obsessed! You love to swim. You say "kick! kick! kick" when we ask if you want to go into the pool. You also say that you want to do "Jack B's" which really means you want to jump into the pool. You got this from swim lessons when they sing "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jumped over the candle stick!" and then all of the kids jump into the pool.

Cries: When you're not getting your way, or when you are truly in pain.

Communication: You're language is amazing. You can basically repeat anything we say, and can have conversations with us. You are starting to string together 3 and 4 words to make sentences, and are comfortable with lots of phrases. You know how to ask for things like "Car ride? Coffee?" when you want to take a ride with Daddy in the morning to get coffee for Mommy. You ask for cheerios and milk, "Reesey cheerios? Reesey milk?". When Adeline starts making noise you'll quickly say, "fussy. fussy". You are funny!

Bedtime/Nap time: You are napping around 12:30/1pm and sleep mostly for 2 hours. You still waking up around 7am and go to sleep around 7pm.

Foods: You are an awesome eater for the most part. You'll try most anything, but do have your favorites. You love going to dinner as a family at Chipolte.

You still will drink milk from a sippy twice a day- in the morning when you wake up and at night during dinner/before bed.

Happy 2 years, sweet girl! I love you to the moon and back!!

Love,

Mommy

xoxox