My Girl

I remember when I went back to work when Emily was about 8 weeks old.  I had conversations with other moms about how much it sucked to leave them right when they are getting to a "fun" age where they can interact with you.  Emily also hit a "fun" age at about 6 months when she was crawling all over the place, and at 9 months when she started walking (and subsequently running)... and at 12 months... and 18 months....

The point I'm trying to make is that I have discovered that one "fun" age is followed, almost immediately by another.

Emily turned 2 just over a month ago.  Everyone has heard of the "terrible twos", and, for about a week, I thought someone had flipped some baby banshee switch on us, but the last month has been awesome.  I SO much enjoy having a little person who has some personality and independence.  Who can dress herself, and play alone for awhile, and TELL ME WHAT SHE WANTS. 

I love that I can let her outside in the backyard to play while I make dinner and she "checks in" with me every few minutes by piggy-pressing her nose up against the screen door.  I love that she no longer cries to be let out of her room when she wakes up, but rather yells "Mama!" or, simply, knocks on her bedroom door.

I love that I can set her clothes out for her, and she will put them on herself!  I love that, after a meal, I can tell her to go wash her hands and she can go into the bathroom, climb up on her stool and "wash" her hands (even if she needs a second pass at it with an adult to get all the sticky off).

I love that I can tell her to get me a spoon and she'll open the drawer and grab a spoon for me.  I love that I can ask her to get me the green box of crackers and she does! 

I love that she UNDERSTANDS me when I'm not being very clear.  For example, trying to get a garden tool outside the other day... I asked her to bring me that "thing" with the "green handle" that she likes to "pound in the rocks"... and she found and brought me exactly what I was asking for me!

I love that I can ask her about her day and she tells me that it was "good" and lists off the people that she played with.

I love that she wants to spend time with me, and "help" whenever she can (I know that stage won't last for long!)

I love that she says "Bless You" when I sneeze, and pats me on the back when I cough (and sometimes asks me if I need some water).  I love that she asks me "All done?" before she tries to drag me away from the dinner table to play with her.

I love that she has so much love inside of her.  She is going to be an amazing big sister, and an awesome kid.  I can't wait to experience the next "fun" ages with her.  It really feels like life gets more and more wonderful and fulfilling with each new day.