Two and a Half Years

Our little darling girl is two and a half years old now. She is so much fun to play with and spend each day with. I'm so grateful to watch her grow and learn each day.

She is currently sleeping next to me, in the stroller, with her outdoor layers peeled off as much as I could without waking her. It is 26 degrees outside and we just got back from our mile of a uphill hike returning from the library, so she was pretty bundled. Wednesdays are story time days. Today the WSU Animal Science Department put on a special presentation about how to play with your pets after story time, complete with DIY pet toy stations at the end. (We made a Christmas present for Grandma Susan's Carmen kitty.) She enjoyed the extra hour at the library, but the poor girl was so tired she couldn't make it home for a nap.

I asked her some questions yesterday about her favorite things to add to her post. She is old enough to do that now. Where does time go?

Favorite color: "Blue" (This one changes daily.)

 

Favorite song: "Happy Birthday!" (I though for sure she was going to say Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.)

 

Favorite thing to wear: "Bird sweatshirt"

 

Favorite food: "Dutch baby!" (Didn't even have to think about this one)

 

Favorite book: "Llama, Llama" (ALL OF THEM.)

She is pretty opinionated and is usually pretty decisive. I try to give her plenty of opportunities to make choices.

Some of the things she says are so funny. I love the little glimpses into how toddlers perceive certain things. I wish I took the time to write down more of her quotes (I need to get better at that!), but here are some favorites from a couple months ago.

"The neighbor's house is STUCK to our house."

(Well, yes. That is generally how townhouses work.)

 

"Are we awake?"

(After insisting that she took a nap, but didn't, and had a dream about daddy, who is standing next to her.)

 

"I'm laughing because I need more yogurt!"

Did you know that yogurt tastes better when you eat it straight from the container?

She is very interested in letters and words rights now. She asks what certain words are on paper and asks what new words mean if she hears them. She enjoys talking about letters and sounds. I hope to make her a moving alphabet soon and get her some sandpaper letters to help her explore this interest. Grandma got some Bob books, too, which she is enjoying.

She is more reluctant to eat vegetables lately, but will still eat cucumbers, lettuce with dressing, peas, sweet potatoes, spinach, and pretty much anything else that I give her to put into her homemade calzone or pizza. She loves fruits, all dairy products, meat, fish, and anything starchy, as well.

She is doing great on her scooter, mostly in the house because it is hard to control with mittens. She loves sledding with daddy.

She prefers to be naked, which is occasionally difficult in public places.

She is doing AWESOME with potty training. She is amazing. Our friends gave us a little travel seat for public restrooms and it has changed out lives. She is no longer afraid of public restrooms. We got her these to wear when we are out and about (more for our piece of mind) and she asks to go potty at stores and restaurants all the time. Seriously, all the time. :) She can go days staying dry, including naps and at night. She often tells me that she is in fact potty trained. I think it might be true.

Shopping at Ikea!

Lucy was also recently babysat by our friends, so Michael and I could go on a date night. It was the first time anyone other than grandma and papa watched her. I missed her really bad, but she had a great time playing with her friend Jonathon. When we came back to get her she wasn't ready to go home yet!

Lucy and Jonathon at his momma's baby shower that we hosted.

What does two and half year old Lucille enjoy?

Decorating and redecorating the Christmas tree

Reading books all the time

Playing in our giant closets

Going to her friends' houses

Playing in the snow

 Watching our pet praying mantis, Mallory

Playing with play dough

Putting together her heads and tails animal puzzle

Singing songs

Making up songs

Listening to music

Reporting to me whether surfaces are rough or smooth

Helping with the dishes

Washing her hands

Jumping on the bed

Pillow fights

When daddy throws her up in the air

 

Lucy watching Mallory. Don't worry about the bandaid, it was just a little scratch that is all healed up now.