Maree is 2!!

Miss Maree..  I can't believe you are two!  Your sister wears all the clothes that you used to, so I'm constantly reminded of how recently you were just a little baby yourself!  BUT, the days of you being a baby are long gone - you are officially a full blown toddler.  I have many words to describe you:

Fearless: You do everything at one speed-- FAST.  You run everywhere you go - and you are willing to pretty much do anything without even thinking about falling.  Daddy took you to the park recently and you climbed the rock wall - you got to the very top by yourself, but fell just before you made it safely up (I might have had a mini heart attack).  You cried for about 10 seconds and then immediately decided to try to conquer it again... which you did.

Independent: You almost never want our help.  You have a trike that you could ride because you are tall enough, but you refuse to let us help you put your feet on the pedals to show you how to make it go.. you just like to use your feet to scoot you.  At a Play Factory, I tried to climb up with you to show you how to do certain things.. but instead, you got mad I was there and you left to go to another section where mommy wasn't

Social: You are a lot like your dad and say "HI!!" to everyone - at the grocery store, the gas station, church etc.  On Saturday mornings you and daddy always go get mommy a coffee and you LOVE the coffee guy Nick - he taught you to say touchdown! Granted, you only put one of your arms up for this touchdown pose, but it is pretty funny. You also love Mr. Mike from gymboree - if you see him, I can't get you to participate in class because all you want to do is flirt with him!!!   I'm not sure where you learned your flirting skills from.. but they are pretty funny to watch.  You get a huge smile, close your eyes, and  walk backwards sticking your booty out and continue backing into him so he has pick you up... then just lay your head on his shoulder - it is pretty adorable.    Also, if I take you anywhere that has kids/play area you just take off running... and you NEVER even turn around to see if mommy is still there or behind you or to see if it is safe/ok to run off... this is  kind of hard on mommy because I sort of want you to need me.. but you clearly are your own person :)

Passionate: Oh boy are you passionate about things... if you are mad, then you are really MAD and let us all know it. You'll go run and hit the wall, or whatever is closest... I'm not sure if this is the terrible twos starting.. or if this is inherited temper?!  You are so strong willed about things and some days I hardly know what to do with all of your outbursts/tantrums... you will lay yourself down on the floor at home, in the garage, at the store... wherever... and that can be pretty embarrassing.  At home though, you look for carpet, gently lay yourself down, and then start your tantrum - it's a production. But you can be passionate in a totally loving way too...you give Ellie raspberries on her belly or sometimes her face, and during our sleep training with Ellie, she has been crying A LOT, and you constantly say "E E" to let me know she's crying and i should do something about it.  Bedtime is the best - you are full of cuddles, hugs, smiles etc. and I have to say I prefer this version of your passion ;)

Your physical side has always been more advanced than your verbal side... but lately, you're sure trying to string more words/phrases together.  There are some things you do and say lately though that have me cracking up.. and never wanting to forget

• You can point and say all of your body parts (eyes, ears nose mouth, teeth etc.), but just this week  you learned a new one... your "Hobo" ... and you walk around pointing to our hobos (elbows)
• When you are watching a cartoon and it goes to commercial, you do one of two things... you either throw open the tv cabinet doors and say "oh no" (because any time we've had a cable problem you see us open them and try to fix it, and yes, we have usually thrown the doors open ourselves).. or you bring me the remote and say "oh no - mote (remote)" and that's your way of asking me to change to a new cartoon
• When we carry Ellie & the carseat anywhere, you immediately run to "help" carry it out and say that it is "HEABY" several times.  You also say this when you try to lift mommy's leg... which is more embarrassing!
• You love the moooooon and the stars, and buh -er-fys - you get very excited to go see them

• Daddy has taught you to say Go Hawkeyes.. and it is adorable to hear you say "Goooo Hop-eyes"
• You have started trash duty at a very young age, but as of now, you really like it
• You are obsessed with "boons" at your party all you wanted to do was play with the balloons!
• I often ask you what color something is.. and you always respond "bue" or "pink" 
• You are obsessed with the car... not being in your carseat, but playing in the car.  When mommy is trying to get dinner ready or Ellie to bed and you keep interrupting, daddy takes you outside to the car and you love pushing buttons, and pretending that you're driving.  (Thank goodness for cars that won't start without your foot on the break or this would make me super nervous!)
• Your babysitter Miss Amy does lots of yoga, and lately, I will look over, and you're doing some kind of yoga pose!! It is adorable

I could go on and on, but you are such a special little girl - everyone who meets you is immediately enamored/charmed by you... just as your dad and I are.  We love you Maree; I can't wait to see how much you will change from year two to three - it's crazy how much you changed from one to two!

October 2, 2013

October 2, 2012

October 2, 2011

Fun presents, oh wait, this plate is more fun

Garbage collector - just like Grandpa Stan

Yoga