Middle America Mommy: You are 2!

My dearest little girl,

You aren't a baby anymore and this Mama just wants you to stop getting so big and so grown up! You are just 2, after all!

Just 2.

24 months.

Has it really only been that? I've written and rewritten this post; lived and relived memories in my head, and what it all comes down to is complete and utter love for you, my darling girl. In just 12 months (since your first birthday) you have learned to: walk, run, communicate by speaking, understand Mommy and Daddy's emotions and their cues (verbal and nonverbal), count to 10, recite your ABCs (with some help from us), and so much more.

What really amazes me (and I'm sure this goes for Daddy, too) is how you are your own person with your own, unique personality, just like any human being. Mommy and Daddy are still saying to each other, "I can't believe we have a child!", let alone a beautiful little girl we call Aggie Jo.

You have your likes and dislikes:

- You say, "No, Thank you" whenever Daddy starts to whistle or sing... or hum. You are very particular in your music.
- You love listening to the Sleeping Beauty soundtrack, Tangled, and Beauty and the Beast in the car and sing along to them with great enthusiasm as we ride along.
- Frozen is your favorite movie and has been since the first time you saw it (which was before your second Christmas).
- Frozen characters Elsa, Ana, and Olaf cannot be passed by, in any store. You have to stop for at least 3 minutes to repeat their names and pace around before addressing each one to say, "Buh-Bye."
- You love Disney princesses and know most of them (Aurora, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Tiana)
- You like to take walks with Mommy around the park... I bring the stroller just in case, but it's only used when you want to sit down and have a snack. Otherwise, you love to walk. Even in the grocery store, sitting in the cart isn't fun; you like to push the cart!

- You like applying chap stick; you call the chap stick "lips."
- Baby doll is always with you... and now that Auntie Katy got you a stuffed Olaf, he is by your side at home (he even has his own chair for meals).

- You like dogs and cats.

- You never say "Hi" to strangers that say "Hello" to you. Rather, you reply with, "No."
- You love to help Mommy unload the dishwasher and "fold" the clean laundry.
- Signing Time is still one of your favorite programs.
- You love to swing in the swings and slide down the slides at the park!

- You don't like your hair up and usually take it out after ten minutes of it being done.
- Dresses are becoming a favorite and you are starting to play dress-up every day.

- Playing with toys with others is a big challenge for you because you love to just play with the toys by yourself, BUT you love to run around (chase and be chased) by your friends.
- Your favorite phrase is, "One more time!" with your pointer finger up as you voice your request.
- You love big hugs and face snuggles.

- Because we are only 2 hours away from Daddy's parents, you are always excited to see them when we visit, especially Mimi!

- You love to be tickled and to wrestle.
- You are very protective when it comes to Mommy; always staying by my side (not even letting Daddy hold you in church or for more than a few minutes). When Mommy is getting her tummy checked (to see how baby brother is doing) at the doctor's office, you sit on the table with her and make sure she is okay as you whisper, "baby brother, right there!"
- You love babies!

- You like brushing Mommy's hair.
- You ask for naps and for baths which makes Mommy so happy to oblige :)
- You express yourself very well (and I hope that never changes).

This past year brought a lot of fun activities as well as new experiences:

- You learned to WALK!