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!

- You were able to interact and spend more time with your cousins this past trip to Colorado to visit Memaw and Pepaw.

-You went to your first major league baseball game... Go Cards!

- You were able to walk around the Pumpkin Patch this year and do some activities!

-You had your first trick-or-treating experience. We only went to one other house but you loved it!

-We made some great friends!

- You found out that you will be a BIG SISTER!!

- You went to the Saint Louis Science Center for the first time (and so did Mommy).

- You participated in your very first Easter Egg Hunt!

- AND most importantly...

YOU TURNED 2!!!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! Mommy and Daddy love you and are so excited to see what this coming year has in store for you! <3

Daddy and Daughter

Now that Agnes is almost 2 years old, she and Daddy have been able to do more together (not that they didn't spend a lot of time together before) and play a lot longer than when she was younger. I know it's meant a lot to him that they can be silly together and when it's time to sit down and read a book, she is more than happy to listen and partake in the sounds and repeating words. She is learning so much from him and I can see that he is learning from her, as well; how to be more patient, learning how to handle her opinionated and full-personality self. She needs her choices and he is understanding and seeing his own stubbornness in her which is funny. She does have my attitude which is not always the funnest, but I guess that's what I get ;)

Now that it's winter and very cold, we make it a point to get outside whenever we can. A couple of weekends ago, the weather was above 50 degrees, so we went to the park and walked around the pond. And then played a little more on the playground. It was a beautiful, family day that we rarely get due to Paul studying and working. I know he appreciated not having to sit down at the table for hours staring at the computer. It was a treat!

Every night, Paul and Agnes have their story time. After Agnes has her dinner, Paul asks her if she'd like him to read to her. She always enthusiastically says, "Book?" and runs to get one of her favorites of the week. This week just happened to be "Mr. Gumpy's Outing." They sit in her room reading for 10-15 minutes before it's time for night prayer and bed. By this time she is more than willing to turn in for the night.

*** I had to add this picture and story in here**

Usually once a week we visit the library and Agnes has her play time while Story Time is going on, which she refuses to attend. This lets her play with the toys by herself or with fewer kids before all of them descend on the toys. This ways he gets her time before having to share... so far so good. Although, I'm hoping she learns to share a bit faster than the pace she is right now. :)

 ***

And after a day at home with Mommy, Agnes always runs to the door yelling, "Daddy... HI!" when she hears Paul has arrived home. She gives him big hugs and kisses after he takes off his shoes and has to stay by him for a few minutes before returning to her activity. It's something I don't think I'll ever forget. She just gets so excited!