Elliana, this blog post is all about YOU! Happy 2nd birthday! I say this all the time, but the past 2 years have really flown by. Last night, Daddy and I looked through some of your baby pictures....I can barely remember you that small. You are growing and learning new things each day. You love learning and get so excited when you accomplish things! So far, you have mastered all your colors (you've known them for quite some time now) and are doing well learning the names of alphabet letters and counting from 1 to 10 (with a little help). You know your basic concepts (night/day, soft/hard, loud/soft, etc) and do really well at using your prepositions. You continue to communicate with us using single words, but you do have some 2 word phrases (and a 3 word phrase "don't want it"- which we hear all the time). Your expressive language skills have always been a bit behind, but I have no worries that you will catch up soon! There is never a quiet moment with you. You are currently learning to catch a ball and do well at this skill. You continue to amaze us and everyone else that sees you doodling by the way you hold a writing utensil.
I love spending my days with you. You are always right by my side trying to do exactly what I do. Daddy and I are often reminded that we especially need to be extra careful of the things we do and the things we say these days, as you are always watching, listening, and repeating. Whether it comes to feeding Bella, taking care of babies, or anything else -you are sure to do it exactly how we do! Most often, you always are willing to help. You love doing laundry, dusting, wiping the table, helping with Bubba, and so much more. The other day you helped a little too much when I turned my back for just a second and you had taken Connor's diaper off...oops!!
You are with me every second of the day, but when Daddy comes home you don't leave his side. When we asked you the other night who your best friend was, you replied multiple times "Daddy, Daddy!" And yes, he is your best friend. You love when he is home....he can make you laugh like no one else can! You have him wrapped around your finger. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't hear a comment like "I seriously love that girl so much" or "I really think she could win the cutest girl ever award" from him. He is nuts about you and I'm so glad you two have a special relationship.
You continue to love playing dress up with every accessory you own. Snow White and Beauty and the Beast continue to be your favorite thing to watch. I can't wait until you are old enough where we can take you to Disney to see those princesses! You are also still crazy about animals and you love to color and read books. You are getting to the point in some of your books where you can finish the sentences.
(you requested that your hair be in pigtails just like baby Stella's hair...I did the best i could)
Elli, you love things just your way and have no problem telling us if they aren't how you want them. You are extremely routine and I can almost always predict what you will say or do. Whether it be your bedtime, brushing your teeth, or so many other things, everything has to be just so! Lately, with naps you seem to be consistently getting out of your bed at the beginning of nap time, going to your blanket drawer, getting a new blanket and sleeping with it. We've decided to just let you do this, as you typically go right to bed after this. This is just another one of your routines. You tend to have multiple blankets and stuffed animals in your bed and insist on sleeping with them.
Elli, you are so fun and silly! You've got tons of energy...some of your favorite things include running and jumping. Really....sometimes you just start running around the kitchen and living room while saying "runnin', fast, runnin', fast" over and over again while dramatically moving your left arm back and forth. These days you are constantly cracking us up by the things you say or do. You are very expressive in your body movements and inflection in your voice! With each phase I keep thinking 'this is my favorite stage,' but right now at your age....I don't think it could get better than this.
You have an amazing memory and will randomly start talking about something that happened months and months ago. Sometimes you get stuck on a topic and talk about it over and over and over again! You are strong willed and you love teasing everyone.
El, I could go on and on forever. Basically, you are an awesome little girl and you are so special! We are so blessed to have you! Happy Birthday Elli Belly!!
