Two amazing years

Dear Penelope,

You've given me the best 2 years ever. It's hard to believe it has been a whole 2 years since I first held you. Every morning I smile when I hear "mama mama, I get down, mama mama" even when it is only 5:30. You've also won over your daddy. The other day he said "We must have a really cute kid. Everyone always says she is so cute. I've never stopped a stranger to tell them they've got a cute kid and people do it all the time for Penny." I didn't bother to tell him that the majority of women and grandfatherly aged men comment on stranger's kids adorableness on a daily basis.

So here's a snapshot of what you are like right now:

You love: Elmo, cookie monster, peas, salty foods, skinimarink (especially yelling boop boop be doo at the end), stickers, walking Cece, the big kid's playground, the neighbor's battery powered car, cupcakes, KITTIES (I'm very afraid she is going to be a crazy cat lady if we don't get her a cat during childhood), dancing, Milk, water, playing in the drivers' seat of mama's car, coloring, apples, fishies, your teacher Nina and school friends, shopping, ABCs, sesame street videos on the computer

You dislike: Mama wiping your nose, bedtime, 'ot foods (hot), oranges, watermelon, Cece barking, the vacuum cleaner, sitting in the stroller, hair brushing

I can tell you are turning 2 years old. Here's why:

Independence--Oh my goodness, your mama is going to either learn patience or pull all her hair out! You want to do everything on your own. That includes climbing into your car seat, dragging the stool around the house so you can switch on the lights (heavens forbid mama turns on the lights in the morning), and unscrewing the top on the gallon of bubbles. But then there are things that totally surprise us. Like this weekend I gave you your cereal at 6 am when you demanded it, then I went back to bed. Fifteen minutes later Chris and I heard you get down from your chair, pad into the kitchen, put your bowl and spoon into the sink and then come to our bedroom and announce "all done! manos mama (wash hands)" You've been putting your bowl in the sink every day since.

A little mimic--Just like you observed us putting our dishes in the sink, you also pick up on every word we say. Good thing I never curse! You've copied me say "oh no" "shoot" and "oh my goodness" You convince your elmo doll to eat his food with the same tone of voice we use with you. And we realized we need to stop scolding Cece in front of you. You are quite good at saying "no no cece. 'Top! Cece 'top!" (stop)

Staller--We can already tell you are going to be an expert at this very soon. The moment we start getting ready for bed you say "waler, agua?" "potty?" "book?" "sit, mama, daddy sit?" You usually do convince me to do a few snuggle moments together, like tonight.

We love you Miss Princess Penelope Pooper Pea!!!