Bossy Boots

You've definitely got the two-year-old "No!" down. In response to every question that is your answer. Are you hungry? No. Do you want something to drink? No. Are you tired? No. Except that you'll eat what I'm offering, drink what I give you, and take a nap when I put you down.

You love Monika, our neighbor. And, get super excited when you hear her talk in her backyard. If she isn't there you say, "Mon-kak. Gone, gone."

My new favorite thing that you say is, "Hold it!" When you want me to pick you up. And, if you are slipping down on my hip because I'm holding you while doing housework, you tell me to "hold it!" again. In case I've forgotten what you want.

You are terrified of thunder and any other loud noises. You can hear a motorcycle from miles away and never fail to inform us of one if we aren't paying attention.

When you are tired you tell your daddy, "Down!" then you turn his head and say, "ear" grabbing his earlobe and holding it while you suck your fingers. Really, you'll use anyone's ear. You aren't picky. But, your preference is for your Daddy's.

October

You said your first "long" sentence to me today: "Sophie...[out]side...naughty!" Very good, little one. You're not kidding! You say so many words that I'm guessing you have a 50 to 100 word vocabulary. Your pediatrician said that was great--most kids your age have in the 5 to 7 word range.

You know the difference between a circle and a triangle. You can imitate thunder--which you've been doing all day long by saying "Boom!" and then roaring. You speak all the time, but only when you are really comfortable around people. Around a group of kids you are really shy. It takes you awhile to warm up. You just like to watch for awhile. Then, when you feel comfortable, you join in.

You love to dance and can swivel your hips like Elvis. You love rap and hip hop. And, dancing with your daddy. Usually you wake up talking. A few months ago you woke up singing. You haven't done that in awhile.

I'm trying to remember everything, but you seem to be growing and saying all the time now. I tell myself not to forget what you said or did today, but I do.

She's Definitely Her Father's Daughter

Your daddy is so proud. Today you had your first set of x-rays. After you took a fall and landed on your ear and your arm. It was quite a fall. I tried not to freak out. You didn't stop crying. I called your daddy. You fell hard enough that you could have broken your arm. Except that I've never broken anything so I didn't know what to look for. You were holding your arm to the side and not moving it.

He told me to call the doc, but I told him to come home because I couldn't imagine putting you in your car seat with a broken arm. And driving for 30 minutes with a baby in her car seat with a broken arm--well, that didn't sound like a good idea to me.

We headed to the doctor's, we were sent to get x-rays. You were fine until we had to manipulate your hand and elbow in order to get the picture right. It was as Alwyn suspected--you hadn't broken anything. But, he had to pop your elbow back in place. He twisted it, you screamed, we heard a loud pop, and you could move your arm again. It was as quick as that. You got lots of gummy bears afterwards, and I tried to convince Daddy that you needed ice-cream, but really, you were 100% better and acted like nothing had happened.

He called grandma to brag. You are definitely his baby, little girl. I somehow avoided catastrophe when I was a kid. And, here you are, making your x-ray debut at 18 months. Sometimes I wonder if you have any Keagy in you. I'm so, so glad you are alright.

Poor Baby

Because I find it amusing we call your lady part a "Biscuit." Right now you have a diaper rash. When I picked you up a minute ago you started fussing (you weren't wearing a diaper because I was hoping the dry air would help). You said,"Owie! Bis-kee." I started patting your back and said, "Oh," in my most sympathetic voice. And you began repeating, "Poor Baby, poor Baby, poor Baby." Because that's what I say when you are hurt. We had to call Daddy to tell him about that one.*

*Faerl, when you graduate with your degree I hope you will provide free psychiatric services to my daughter for two reasons:

1. you're my friend.

2. you introduced me to calling lady parts "biscuits" thus providing a future need for therapy for my daughter.

Naughtiness Squared

Little Girl. When you spy my phone you grab it, bring it to me, and say, "Baby." I have recordings of you on it and you love to watch them over and over. And Over. Again. You know one particular one so well that you will say the words on the video before you hear it. Genius.

Your daddy shows you videos of horses on YouTube. You sit on his lap with a very rapt look on your face. Completely entranced. Sometimes you squeal and scream Horsie! because you get so excited.

You love to put on shirts (or pants that you call shirts) over your head. You will try on clothes--mine or yours--for an hour. You are very focused on it. When we were in Colorado this past week, I laid out my clothes on the floor and went to take a shower. Apparently you walked into the livingroom where everyone else was with my panties on your head.

You say so many words now. Sometimes phrases. When you ask for chocolate milk or ice-cream you say please. Because it's worth it.

I have a particularly hard time disciplining you. For one thing, you ignore what ever method I've chosen. If I spank you, you don't react. I try time-outs, but you seem perfectly content sitting in the chair. I don't know what to do with you. Most of the time, however, it is all for naught because you will look at me waiting for me to laugh at your naughtiness and I never disappoint. I try not to laugh. But, dang it, you give me the most mischievous look and I start smiling. I try to turn around real quick so you won't see me, but you know. I'm going to pay for my amusement later, I'm pretty sure. I love you, my sweetness. Thank you for being you. I love it!

Mommy can't keep up with all the new things that you do. But, lately your very favorite thing to do is to climb on EVERYTHING! The couch, chairs, into your booster chair to eat. You haven't fallen yet. Yet.

I hurt my foot the other day and was putting a band aid on my ankle. You were incredibly curious about this so I told you I had an "owie." You wanted an owie too so you pointed to your thigh and said "owie." I put a little ointment on your thigh and a band aid of your own and you walked around like you'd broken your leg. When daddy came home you happened to be asleep he heard you wake and came in to get you. The very first thing you told him was that you had an "owie."

The next day the band aid had miraculously stayed on your leg and we went over to Faerl and Jarred's house. I told Fae to ask you about your leg and she did. You pointed to it and stuck out your bottom lip like it was all of a sudden causing you considerably pain. This is against your father's wishes, I might add. He hates that I am indulging invisible and non-existent owies. But, it is so funny to watch you fuss about it. Probably he is right. I'm sure I'll give it up soon when the amusement wears off.

Show Stopper

Haven, you were very popular this past week while we were all in North Carolina. You met a bunch of second cousins and third cousins and great aunts. You also picked up some new phrases. On the plane to NC you started saying, "Thank you!" because a lady next to us said it and you really liked her (she shared all of her food with you). You were incredibly friendly to everyone.

When I see you, I typically say, Hi Baby. You started saying that to me. I love it. It's so cute. Today you saw Sophie for the first time since we returned and you called her Soap-E. I think you missed our doggies. Although you certainly enjoyed your trip.