I want to share a few of our favorite things about you lately to remember what you were like the week you turned TWO! Here are some things we put together:
- Your vocabulary is incredible lately, and we are constantly shocked by the things you know and your ability to put them together into small phrases. The ones that stop us in our tracks with love for you are, "tant tyou mama" "mees (miss) you" "yove you mama" all which are said without being told to do so. I can hardly say no to you when you come to me asking for something, and before I can say yes you give me the sweetest head tilt grin while saying, "tant tyou, mama". How can I resist that?! When you are hungry or see something you want you say, "yummy, yummy, yummmmy" while rubbing your belly and smacking your lips pretending to eat. It is hilariously cute! You have even been known to go into Mamie's kitchen, open the freezer door, take out an ice cream come, and run quickly into the living room exclaiming, "yummy!! oushceam! tant tyou Mama!!" Another favorite is the word fun or funny. Lately, every time we are doing something exciting or that makes you laugh you say, "oh fun! dis fun. funny mama." If whatever we are doing can be consider a game you make sure to say, "fun game," which of course makes me want to play with you all the more especially when you clap for me while saying, "Yeah mama!!" And if you drop something or fall you quickly let out a "oopsies" while brushing yourself off. Basically everything you say is adorable, and I wish I could film you every second of every day so that I may never forget the way you sound!
- At Christmas you got a Jesus Storybook Bible, and it is an understatement to say you love it. Every night before bed Papa reads it to you, making up his own version of the story to go with the pictures in order to keep your interest. You have now memorized nearly ALL of the stories; when you see the pictures you tell the story in your own Zaylee fashion. Your favorite is the story of Adam and Eve exclaiming, "NO NO NO apple," while shaking your finger with a disgruntled look on your face. You love books and get fully involved in them with concern, excitement, empathy, fear, and joy for each character. Your favorites are I Love You Through and Through and I Am a Bunny, both of which you know mostly by heart. We have started to read them leaving out words allowing you to fill in the blanks, and you do so with such pride sitting tall on your pillow with your legs wrapped up in your blankets. I hope you will always find joy in books!
- You have become so full of imagination lately. You love playing with your dolls and take such great care of them. I often walk into your room while you are shhhing your baby while patting her back explaining to me that she is at the doctor. "Dodtor. Bobo. Ouchie!" They are always fed, read to, tucked in tight for their "nappies", and loved very well by you. You are constantly cooking for us, packing up your purse while talking on your phone to Anna waving to me saying, "Bye bye Mama. yove you. mees you," as you run over to give me a kiss. You entertain yourself very well, and for that I am so thankful. However, you do love when there is someone willing to play with you, and often won't give up asking until they give in and play. You still have not tired of playing boo with Uncle Lukey, and still get full of anxious excitement waiting for the "monster" to come find you.
- Drawing, painting, playing with play-do are your favorite things lately. There is never a pen unnoticed by your little eyes, and you will not take no for an answer when I try to take it away. You love any type of craft, and I am working on being more willing to go through the hassle of the take out, clean up, lingering mess to savor the sweet moments of seeing you so excited to be doing what you love. Your favorite things to draw are eyes and circles. In the mornings when we go upstairs, Papi is often reading his Bible on the couch. When he is reading, you are sure to find at least 10 highlighters by his side and you are always eager to crawl up on his lap and draw with him. Mamie has also become your favorite drawing companion, and she is always willing to pull out the crayons and sit with you for long periods of time drawing and creating with you.
- You are extremely empathetic and tenderhearted. I have told you this many other times, but it warms my heart to continually see this side of you and know it is a very important, special part of your character. Over a month ago you were on a walk with Papi, and when you arrived home you were crying. Papi explained that you poked him in the eye and he scolded you leaving you in tears. You are still talking about that day and feeling sorry for hurting Papi. Things effect you in a big way, and you instantly feel sorry for things you do wrong. Lately after I punish you for disobedience you come to me saying, "sawzy (sorry) Mama" while you hug your little arms tight around my neck! I melt into you every time thankful for your kindness and natural way of repentance. I pray you never lose this part of you, and that you may always show others love and kindness.
- You have grown to be extremely attached to your brother, and are always looking out for him. If I leave the room for a minute while he is on the couch or the floor, I always return to find you snuggled up next to him with your hand resting on his belly, your bunny's ear under his nose, or your nuk in his mouth. When he is drooling (which is always!) you quickly yell, "Oh no dip dip(drip)! Meeps(lips)" while wiping his chin saying, "nasty!" He has some crazy cradle cap on his head, and you must hear us talk about it sometimes because lately you point to his head and say with a concerned look on your face, "crap, crap (cap)!" Cracks me up! You don't want him to be alone, and always ask where he is when you wake up in the morning of from your nap. When others are giving him too much attention, you quickly run over and start talking to him as if to show that you love him most. I will never grow tired of watching the two of you love one another!
- The outdoors is still your favorite place to be. From puddle jumping, the park, visiting the horses, throwing rocks in the creek, to picking up sticks and walking with them pretending to be Mamie Suzanne you are the happiest when out in the wide open. You keep my laundry piles high with your muddied up clothes, but I wouldn't change that for anything when I see the joy it brings you to be digging and exploring out there.
- You are a genius! :) I think every Mom thinks their kid is smart, and of course they are probably right. It is so fun to see how much you are learning these days. You are doing really good with your colors, but pink, white, and orange (you say juice thanks to Uncle Joe's love for orange juice!) are the three you know without fail. You identify circles and hearts whenever you see them, and love drawing circles whenever you get your little hands on a pen and piece of paper. You love counting and can do so in French and English from 1 to 3. We constantly hear you saying, "one, two, one, one, two. THREE!" You know the difference between boys and girls, and always make sure to point out all the little boys while shouting, "BOY!" when you see them. You have grasped the understanding of opposites such as up, down, in, out, over, under, and it amazes us daily to watch your little mind work! We are surprised with the new things you say and do all the time, and just how much you understand. Everyone comments on how it is incredible that you understand as much as you do, and we have to agree. It makes disciplining you a bit easier because we know you are grasping what we are trying to teach you, but that doesn't seem to change your disobedience at times!
