Two Years.

Dear Rylie,

Today, you are 2 years old. And when daddy and I woke you up this morning and asked you to tell the camera how old you are, you shouted out a quick “no!” Terrible two’s…here we come! Perfect timing.

Happy Birthday, little Missy!!!

This morning, we followed our normal routine; but as I was getting you dressed, I finally realized how much you have truly grown. You were standing so tall in the middle of your bedroom, wearing a size 24 month t-shirt, pink sweat pants and size 6 Nike tennis shoes. Your hair was tied back in two full curly pig-tails. And when I asked you to follow me into my bedroom so that I could finish getting ready for work, you did just that!

You have become so independent! Everything is “I do, I do!” You can pretty much repeat every word that we tell you; but you have started to create short sentences, as well. We have had a few mother-daughter outings and I absolutely love it!! I can already tell that you are going to be an awesome shopping buddy. Your eating habits really haven’t changed too much…you still love fruit and bread…try to avoid meat and vegetables...especially love cereal, fruit snacks, bananas, corn and cheese! And thankfully, me and daddy’s favorite restaurant happens to be your favorite, too…Ted’s (you love their homemade flour tortillas, chips, queso, and sopapillas)! Over-and-over-and-over again…as you point out every single item throughout a room, you love to ask “what’s that?” And without fail, each morning as we are loading up the car, you make your way over to the same corner in the garage and ask, “what’s that?” And I always answer…a bird house, a shovel, a pumpkin. Your sweet little giggle reminds me that it truly is the simple things!

This summer was a busy one. We made several different trips to Kansas. We took a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City. Flew to Orlando, Florida. And you visited the zoo and the Oklahoma State Fair for the first time- thoroughly enjoying both of them!

We have been potty-training you for the past 2 months. Some weeks are better than others. But you are far from being “trained.” As long as daddy continues to remind mommy that patience is a virtue- we will continue to work on it! Hopefully breaking the habit of “needing” a binky to sleep will be easier. Yeah, I doubt it, too.

Some of your current “favorites” definitely tell mommy that you are growing older: you love to watch “Elmo’s Adventures in Grouchland”; you love to dance; you love to color; you love to play with your baby dolls and will often push them in their stroller, feed them, and diaper them; you still love bath time; you love for mommy and daddy to read to you; you love to play outside; and you love doing hand-shakes with mommy!

I’m planning an Elmo-themed party for you at Granny and Gramps’ house this Sunday. But Nana and your friends will help you celebrate today. We’re so thankful that you go to such a wonderful daycare! Nana will you treat you extra-special today!!

Towards the end of my pregnancy with you, I remember being told that I will eventually not remember what life was like before having a child. Now, two years later…it’s not only a matter of me not remembering…but it’s also a matter of me not wanting to remember.

Mommy and daddy love you very-very much, Rylie bug!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Love,
Momma