Happy 2nd Birthday, Eleanor!

Dear Ellie,

I can hardly believe two years have passed since you officially joined our family! You have grown up so much in those past two years. I feel like if I blink I will miss something new with you.

According to Dr. Jay, you are right on track or slightly ahead developmentally. You can put together lots of two and three word sentences, even forming a four word sentence every once in a while. You talk about yourself in third person almost all of the time. You love Elmo, coloring and reading. You know your surroundings and after spending over a month in a hotel, are glad to be back in a ‘home’ with your own belongings. You started potty training (because you were interested, not because Mommy and Daddy were in a hurry to have it done) and have mastered it except for during nap-time and night-time. Day-care thinks you will be ready to go diaper-free at nap-time really soon. You love M&M’s and earn them any chance you can get. You are not a picky eater, but have your days. You are starting to get a little more afraid of loud sounds and are not sure you like the doorbell at the new house. You love to play “run” (aka hide-n-seek) with Mommy and Daddy any chance you get. You also go bye-bye and outside any chance whenever possible. Talking about your friends at day-care and outside of day-care occurs daily. Outside of Mommy and Daddy, Aunt Megan is probably your favorite person. You don’t have to be the center of attention, but you enjoy being around other people and would rather play with other people around than by yourself. You have an independent side that is starting to show. Daddy says you get this from Mommy, but Mommy thinks it comes from both of us. You love to brush your teeth and take bathes. You are not really into the TV, unless Elmo or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on--- and even then it only keeps your attention for a few minutes. You love to sing songs (or have them sung to you) and to dance around. You have many ‘faces’ and expressions that you share with people. You are not hard to read in that aspect. You are still an easy child, although I am sure we will have some rougher moments in the next two years as you establish your independence and test your boundaries more and more. Thank you for coming into my life and letting me be your Mommy. It means more than you will ever know. Love you!

Mommy