Look Who's Two!

Two years ago, this little girl made me a mommy, and it's the most wonderful thing that anyone has ever done for me. She's been nothing that I expected, but probably everything that I need.

I know that as her mother I'm terribly biased, but she really is a beautiful little girl. And she's as mighty as she is tiny. She makes me laugh more than anyone else.

Her daddy describes her as 'mercurial' and Grandma D describes her as 'spirited'; she certainly is both. She can be absolutely exhausting-from the moment that she wakes up until she falls asleep at night. And demanding. She's relentless, and so strongwilled; it can be hard for me, but I hope that these characteristics stay with her as she grows.

We had our first argument before she could utter a word. She probably tells me 'no' a few hundred times before noon. But then, just when I'm about to go absolutely insane, she'll rub my back, give me a hug, and kiss the 'boo boo' on my forehead (a freckle), and all is forgotten. Even on a bad day, there is nothing that I would rather do and no one that I would rather be than this little girl's mommy.

She notices and imitates everything-absolutely everything. If I wear a new shirt, she notices in a second. She's been running around our family room, pretending that she's an Olympic gymnast, demanding applause! She's hilarious. She has an amazing imagination and loves to play pretend and dress-up.

When she says, 'icka, ickles, icka', I'm never sure if she wants pickles or tickles.

She sleeps curled up on her belly, on a blanket (that is carefully folded the 'right' way) made by her Aunt Sarmita. She holds a binky in each hand and sucks on a third. Each and every nite.

We love her to pieces. Happy birthday baby girl.