Addy turns 2!

My baby girl turned 2 this month! We had a fun weekend celebrating with family (another birthday for Cousin Jo-Jo and a baptism for Jo-Jo's main squeeze, Michelle), and Addy was very spoiled. She is such a funny little thing, but finds ways (as any toddler does) to try our patience on a daily basis. Some things you should know about Addy at 2:

She loves Miles. We are so thankful for this. The transition to two kids has not been terribly difficult because we have not had to deal with jealousy or worries that Addy might hurt Miles. She comforts him when he cries, brings him toys when he doesn't have any, smothers him with kisses and hugs when she gets the notion (which is often) and lets him "get her" and screams with delight when he does.

She loves anything sweet. All sweet things are "cookies" and she always wants cookies. She is not a great eater, sticks mostly with chicken nuggets, french fries and fruit. The only veggie she eats these days are green beans.

She loves: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Fresh Beat Band. She just recently started to say Mickey and as a result, can ask to watch MMC. She loves to "Go bananas" with the Fresh Beats, and we bond with our dance breaks during the show. I am considering taking her to see Fresh Beats in April when they come to St. Pete on tour. For some reason, she also likes Victorious. At least its not a cartoon.

She also loves "Buzzy," or Toy Story. We have a TV/DVD player in our room and Toy Story 2 is always in it. She watches that in the mornings while I get ready for work. Toy Story 3 is saved on the iPad, so she watches that alot too. The iPad also holds Despicable Me and Cars, and she recently has started asking for "Carsy."

She enjoys coloring with pens (including on herself), playing with Play-doh, doing puzzles, making messes, and baths.

She hates: most veggies; when you take away the iPad, her Bubby, or her pacifier; Talking on the phone when someone else is actually on the line; staying in the cart at the store; sitting in the pew during sacrament meeting; sweaters or shirts or jackets that don't button all the way down; having barrettes in her hair.

When she throws a fit, she throws herself on the ground face down, and spreads her arms out to the sides and cries. It's pretty funny.

She has started to say many more things and to copy what we say. Her first full sentence: "I see you!" learned from playing peek-a-boo. Other full sentences she says: "Where's the Bubby?" (her bunny) or "Where's the _________?" Last week she learned "Close the door" when I had to yell it repeatedly at Alex. Other words she says:

• Puzzils=Puzzle, the whole thing or the pieces


• Nose, hands, toes, eyes, "beep beep" = belly button, "armie"=arm(s)


• Mokey=drink/sippy cup


• Car, keys


• Play


• Baby, Pass=pacifier


• Brush teeth (she loves to brush her teeth, pretty much because she loves the taste of toothpaste)


• Apple, egg


• Shoes, Boots


• Papa. She FINALLY started calling Alex Papa in November 2011. She didn't call him anything or called him Alex or Mama before that.


• Toys


• Bird


• Animal sounds: Moo, Baa, Rawr (lion), ack ("duck" or "quack"). For a puppy, she pants.


• All dogs are "Max" because of Shannon's dog. For example, she hears the neighbors dog barking, she says, "a Max!"


• Pants


• "Hi-ya" as in kung-fu fighting; she learned this from cousins in Ohio at Christmas


• "Peebee"=someone farted or pooped in their diaper and needs a change. Also what she calls Miles's boys part.


• Throw it: what she says before she throws anything


• Nite-nite


• Amey=Amen

Funny story: Alex, in effort to get her to eat more, started doing "Baby bird" where he would hold up a piece of food, Addy would open her mouth wide and he would give it to her that way. She, in return, started to "bird" us. One day while I was at work, apparently she came over to Alex, who was laying on the couch at the time, and said "Bird," so of course he opened up his mouth, and next thing he knew, she leaned over, and spit a chewed up Cheez-It in his mouth.

Two nights ago, we had the first (and hopefully only) incident involving #2 in the bathtub. I had just gotten Miles out, and I turned back to Addy, and saw what she had just done. As I started to show my annoyance, she saw what was in the tub, started squealing and crying hysterically. She jumped up and was trying to get out of the tub. Her reaction was so funny, I could not be upset about what I had to clean up.

She loves to cuddle with me when we are watching TV. This is the only time she shows a bit of jealousy toward Miles because she wants me to have my arm around her and not on Miles.

I've said it before, but she is just such an awesome little girl, and we love to talk about all the little cute and hilarious things she does. I've written so much because I've been neglectful in keeping record of her first two years. I want to remember all the wonderful little things about her because she is growing up way too fast. I can't believe its been two years since she was born; I remember the day so well and she is still my little baby.