Two and a half is the most fun, yet equally the most challenging, stage of your young life sweet little Zaylee girl! You are a whole lot of talk always referring to yourself in the third person, forever full of stories, imagination, inquisitiveness, humor, and a whole lot of life. We are constantly smiling at the things that come out of your mouth and often terrified (in a good way!) of what the future holds with you! You are still cautiously independent, overly friendly but ironically shy, sweet and kind with a little sass and shoving mixed in, far too smart for your own good (as well as our good!) always keeping us on our toes and shocking us with the things you know, completely capable, adventurous, particular, silly, impatient and easily frustrated (we are learning together!), tenderhearted but not overly affectionate, and our favorite little girl and lover of life.
This month has brought with it many new activities, and our days are busy but fulfilling. You started dance class on Tuesday mornings and have been loving every minute of it. It is extremely sweet to watch you as you listen to the teacher and dance around the room, and are eager to share your moves with anyone that will listen to you. You are becoming quite the little lady with all your girly antics and are forever noticing accessories on women always asking, "Where'd you get your boots/earrings/purse? I love them!" Despite your girly ways, you are still very into all things boy when it comes to playing outdoors. The boys at the park are always your targeted friend group to chase after always yelling, "hey guys! Wait for me!" You follow them all over wanting to do everything they are doing, and with a little reassurance between bouts of frustration, you conquer the obstacle and are soon scaling across all the big kid towers with the rest of them. You are determined my dear, and struggling with frustration and impatience can make it hard to teach you the importance of perseverance in trying again and again. We have learned that we just need to give you space, take a step back, and wait for you to ask for assistance. You do much better when you can figure things out for yourself, and usually do so with great delight and in your own perfect timing.
With all the transitions in your life over the past couple months, we are just now getting into a normal groove of life again and you are finding your way here in Wheaton. You are establishing some good friendships here with the many kids in our neighborhood and adore your many cousins. When we are out and about and you spot a young kid near your age you look at me and say, "Mom I want to meet them," as you make your way to them while asking, "Hey, what yours name is?" If they don't answer you quick enough for your liking you turn to me in distress saying, "Mom, they not talking to me!" Life is different, a bit faster paced and chaotic, but it is good and you are loving it more and more each day. You have always been our personal compass always telling us which way to go in the car, and are starting to recognize all of our regular stops always announcing, "Hey! We went there! 'memeber mom? member that?" As happy as I am that you are finally finding your place here, I pray you will always remember bits and pieces of our time in France, and that you will always hold a special bond with our family there as they are a huge part of your heart and your daily thoughts.
This stage of toddlerhood has proved to be a bit challenging, and each day we learn something new about the best way to deal with disobedience and misbehavior that suits you and your personality. Each day is a little different, and some days are extremely easy while the next may be the hardest yet, but no matter the day or the circumstance, at the end of it all we are well aware of the blessing that it is to have the honor of disciplining you and training you to be a kind, generous, obedient little girl. Your heart continues to be tender and kind at its core, even in the midst of your tantrums and gentle pushes towards other children when they get in your space or on occasion (mostly with your sweet cousin!) just because (usually when you are tired, and in that case look out!). When it comes to the big things like staying in your bed, not going in the road, potty training, nap time, sitting at the table nicely always asking to get down when you are done, saying please and thank you, you my dear are incredibly obedient and for that we are extremely proud. You are wise little one, and you understand so much making it easy to talk to you about what we expect of you. It is the little things you test us with and you are a pro at pushing the limits, but in the grand scheme of things, I'd say we have it pretty easy with you my dear. You are a delight, and we couldn't be happier that you are ours!
Favorites
Movies/Shows: Tinkerbell, Cinderella, Frozen, Super Why, Leap Frog, Sofia the First (or as you say Sofia First Time), Peppa Pig, Doc McStuffins
Things: Shoes, more specifically your "princess shoes", Purses, Bags, your baby and stroller, dress up clothes, firetrucks, policemen
Questions to ask: "Who bought that?" "What's that smell, Mom!? I smell something in mine nose!" "What's that noise?" "Where we going next?" "What we gonna do now?" "Huh Mom? What you said?"
Foods: Red peppers, carrots, apples, almonds or nuts of any kind, pretzels, meats of any kind, pizza, and most of all CHOCOLATE!
Activities: Riding your bike, reading books, dancing, playing make believe especially doctor, coloring, painting, talking about everything and anything, running, playing at the park, shopping with the tiny carts, hiding from us (sometimes enough to scare us!)
Dislikes
Food: Mushrooms, olives, butter, fruit snacks, jelly beans, cheese on its own
Things: When you feel people are laughing at you, too much attention, sun in your eyes, loud noises, the dark
A few of my favorite things you say:
It stinks! I think Papa pooped?!
Hoxsle (Popsicle)
Samlich (Sandwich)
I nee know (I don't know)
Uh! Come on Mom!
Oh my goodness!
Oh, it's ok mom you didn't mean it. Its accident! Oh sorry! (when something happens and I apologize to you)
I tell you.....(when starting a story!)
I'm working....
Hearing you sing, always forgetting the words just like your Papa!
It's too louder in mine ear! Turn it down.
It's ok, mom....
Um, 2 minutes mom. (referring to anything that you want to do when I say not right now...)
I look all over the place and can't find it!
Almost all the time.....but sometimes....
Lasterday....(yesterday or any other time in the past)
Um, not actually really though (in answer to random questions)
Hey! You have pocka posey on your shirt, Mom....(polka dots)
Mom, it's so beautiful out! Look! The suns coming out!
Hey! 'memeber that? I member!
I never went there. I haven't been here in ever!
I shy him! (when meeting new people or someone is looking at you)
Don't turn the dark on! (referring to turning the lights off at bed time)
Shoot! (I thought I should correct you at first, but now I just find it stinkin adorable and quite funny!)
