Dear Beth Beth,
You are 2 today!!!
Let's see - what are you like at 2 years old?? Well, you are gorgeous for starters. You have the prettiest brown curls. I'm actually looking forward to the humid summer, because the more humid it is, the more your hair curls! It is fun to look at with your chubby cheeks and your huge blue eyes. Your smile is stunning, with your little overbite. I could just watch you all day long when you're in a good mood!
You pretty much have everyone who knows you wrapped around your finger. We have successfully indoctrinated you into the world of Disney Princesses. You walk around the house saying "pincthess," wanting to dress up, wear princess shoes, crowns, necklaces, and play with princess toys. You also love "House" (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) and "Bob-y-oss" (Veggie Tales). You love, love, love Kindermusik with Mommy! I love that special time with just you, too!! Your sisters enjoyed Kindermusik when we did that together, but you love it in a whole different way. You light up the whole time we're there, and are eager to participate in every activity. You love Mrs. Wendy, and often want her to hold you during rocking time. At the end, you sing "eeee-bye" (Goodbye). The whole class pretty much loves watching you, because you are so excited to be there. You are a great singer and dancer. You sing "Usagi" from Kindermusik and "I See The Moon." You shake your little bottom from side to side in a rhythmic way while you turn around, and it is soooooo cute! You can spot the moon in broad daylight and can hear a distant airplane immediately. You are also very good at animal sounds, and you know most of your body parts.
You used to like to take long walks with Mommy in your stroller. We had a great routine going, until December hit us with relentless rain that hasn't really let up, so we got out of the habit, and now you are not interested in just sitting for very long. You love to run and jump and keep up with your sisters. Your face lights up, and I can tell that you feel so big and proud of yourself when you play with Christa and Abby Kate. Sometimes, you go upstairs with them, and are quick to sneak your paci out of your crib, and then show me you've gotten it!
You love to sing the "tee-tee song." When we were potty training Abby Kate last year, we sang a little song every time anyone in the house pooped on the potty. You loved it then, and would dance to the short song I made up to encourage Abby Kate not to be scared. Even though we don't really do that anymore, whenever you're in the bathroom with me, and you hear me tee tee, you smile, clench your fists, and bounce up and down singing, "Mommy tee-tee po-ee, Yeah!" It's the shortened version of the little song, and I have to confess, that it's kind of nice to be praised so enthusiastically for such a simple task! It's not often that I get that kind of affirmation :)
You give lots of hugs and kisses these days, and you are such a perfect addition to our family! You still reign as my easiest baby so far, but I have to tell you that you are also in the lead for "Most Challenging Toddler." Child, I love you, but you have got to learn to control your temper! I often ask you, "how can someone so pretty be so angry sometimes?" You definitely express your opinions, and you let us know when you're not happy about something! At first, you would get so angry, it was a little bit cute, and I had to fight the urge to laugh at you a few times. This all started around 15 months - about the time you began having strong opinions about things, but you didn't have the verbal ability to express those opinions in a polite and socially acceptable way. So you got your point across by screaming and throwing things. This has all gotten some better, since you're talking more now, and can express your desires. But you still have an "angry scream" you do when you're not getting your way, and you have the challenging habit of throwing your plate/food to the floor if I am not quick enough to get you out of your high chair. I try to be sensitive to the fact that you are the 3rd child in a very short amount of time, and so I do owe you some extra grace and patience as you learn how to get your needs met. But I don't think you'd trade in either of your big sisters for an easier life, because you adore both of them so much! I think that with a few more months of practicing your talking/communicating and a few prayers that you will somehow learn patience and self control at a young age, that we'll be on the right track! I seem to remember a certain family member of mine who also had some "anger issues" as we were growing up, and your Aunt Alicia turned out pretty great!
You continue to be a fantastic sleeper! I think you like your crib even more than your big sister, Christa did! You never argue with me when I lay you down, and you now insist that we talk about the letters that spell your name over the bed. When you wake up, you'll play happily in your crib for a while, and will sometimes go back to sleep if I don't rush to pick you up. You are my first child who is not attached to a special lovie - you'll sleep comfortably with any stuffed animal. We have a knit blanket that a good friend made for you that you like, but you can sleep without it, too. You do insist on your paci and usually a "drinkie" (water).
You are a little bit OCD with any kind of dirt, or piece of fuzz, or anything that is tiny and out of place. I think you get this from your Daddy, Christa, and maybe a tiny bit me. You get very upset when you see a little dirt out of place somewhere, and you point and say "poo-poo" in a whiny voice. You are obviously distressed about it. We've discovered that the easiest way to deal with this is just to cheerfully say, "Bye Bye poo-poo." Then you wave to the tiny object and say, "Bye Bye poo poo!" This has actually gotten a lot better lately, but you have recently developed a fear of double doors. Any kind of doors that are automatic and slide, or even just French-type doors seem to frighten you. You will be walking along just fine, and when you see them, you back up and say, "Hold you," while reaching your arms up to me. You are fine to go through them as long as I carry you!
You are an awesome eater!! Seriously, you will actually eat healthy food! You love bananas, any kind of beans, edamame, nuts, milk, oranges, eggs, cheese, yogurt.... neither of your sisters made it this long before they narrowed their healthy choices to about 2 items. You eat often, too, and will often tell me that it's time to feed you by putting your fingers up to your mouth and saying "eat, eat."
Well, little one, I am sure there are more wonderful things about you that I should share, but it's late, and I have about 18,000 pictures of you doing all kinds of things. You get photographed a lot for a 3rd kid, because you are so stinking cute! Your big sisters are so sweet to you and love you so much.
I love you, my sweet little Elizabee!
Mommy
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