Dear Gwendolyn...

Dear Gwendolyn Rebecca,
You're two years and one month old today! I still find myself staring at you in disbelief sometimes that you're our daughter and we've already experienced two years with you. The vast amount of joy that has entered this home because of you and your budding personality is something that can't be measured. I had no idea I'd love you this much on that sweet day you entered this world. I knew I'd love you a lot, but this mommy love has exceeded all of my expectations. Although, I'm not sure you're ever really ready to experience such strong feelings. Books don't cover that part of parenting.

It still makes me smile to remember your daddy saying last fall, "we should have had kids earlier" as you melted his heart for the one millionth time. And when you hit 18 months, I told him that I needed an 18-month-old in my life at all times, but it's gotten even more fun since last September so really I think I just need you in my life at all times...

If I had written this in March (just a month ago), so much would be different. That's how much you've even changed in 30 some days! I had so much fun with you in our ECFE music class. We started at the end of January and you were quiet and while you enjoyed the music, you stayed pretty close to me. By the end of March, you were standing in the middle of the circle during open dance and running up to the instructor, Robin, to sing rhythm patterns back to her in front of everyone. I could have cried (oh, who are we kidding...I did cry) the first day you were brave enough to go up.

I was so proud of you...

And I know you were proud of yourself because of the big smile on your face. I literally watched you blossom before my very eyes.

You really do love music and singing though, and we find you singing to yourself, your stuffed animals or baby doll all the time. Your dance skills are also out of this world adorable. Our nighttime routine involves brushing teeth, reading books and your Bible (the more books the better, in your opinion), praying, getting comfy in your crib positioned just right on your pillow with stuffed animals and blankets on either side, sippy with water in left corner, holding hands through the rails (very important), and finally singing several songs together all of which you typically call "Jesus." If we sing one to few songs, you'll let us know by proclaiming "sing!"

Your confidence has soared in the last couple of months and I can see it in your demeanor. I've never thought of you as "shy" because you'll talk to and go to just about anyone, but definitely more serious. I think even that part of you has subsided a bit, as we see more and more a little bit of a show off coming out in our little girl. You've realized it's kind of fun to have people notice and laugh at you, but of course, you try to pretend like it's NBD by throwing your head back and trying not to smile.

Heart melts. Again.

Along with some confidence, you've also become....how should I put it......sassy. Where on earth did you get this trait from?! I have no idea. I am pretty sure it literally started on March 23rd - your birthday - as if turning two entitled you to start acting like a 2 year old. Here I was a stranger to these tantrums and melt downs that others speak of. The Lord sure knows how to continually keep us in the sanctification process, as your daddy lovingly reminds me. I'm not sure I would use the word "tantrum" to describe your actions (yet), but your strong opinion on what you like and want has definitely produced some melt downs. Thankfully, you're typically easily persuaded to let go and move on, i.e. distracted. And yes, there has been more than one occasion where your big green eyes, tears, or "please, Mama, please" has gotten you your way. I confess I can sometimes be a softie. Particularly in my third trimester *smile. 

You are very, very sensitive, which is one of the things I love the most about you. You're also kind and gentle, which is something I pray over you almost every single morning. Not only in the way you treat people you know (you've never been in time out at Miss Kathy's) but even in the way you talk, read to, and take care of your baby dolls too. It always makes me smile to observe how you treat client's babies who come over to our house ("hiiiii, baby!") and how eager you are to rock a car seat, find a pacifier, or help with a diaper change. Here you are trying to make 6 month old, Brynn, smile.

Your sensitivity comes out in how well you respond to discipline and immediately show remorse. It breaks our hearts to discipline you, but we do it because we love you and want you to respect authority to us as your parents, but most importantly to God. You know you should listen and be obedient, but sometimes push the limits. I get it, girl. Testing boundaries and choosing what is right is not always easy, and we often think we deserve more than we have or more than we get. I just pray this continues to be an area that your daddy and I are disciplined in and something that we're able to teach you and teach you well. 

Just like your daddy, you're very much a physical touch girl. I love that you love to be close, held and cuddled and often times want "uppie", even if I'm trying to make dinner. Despite your 27 lbs, I love holding you during worship at church. With your head often rested on my shoulder or your arms wrapped around my neck with one hand playing with my hair, there's something super special about praising the Lord with my family. Sometimes during diaper changes, you'll reach up and flail your hands wanting me to bend down and put my face right next to yours. You'll close your eyes and smile and we'll stay like that for a minute or two. It seems you never get sick of being hugged and kissed and sometimes you'll interrupt us just to say, "Mommy (or Dada), I love you."

Oh, how we love you too.

Speaking of sweet phrases...you have the best send offs at the front door. You love standing there and yelling after whomever is leaving a random mix of the following phrases:

"Bye!"

"See ya later!"

"Sleep tight!"

"It's icy, be careful!"

"I miss you!"

"Thank you!"

"I love you!"

"Bye!"

"I MISS you!"

The best was when daddy and I were leaving on a date recently...

"Have fun!"

Seriously?!

You are just plain funny sometimes.

I don't think I could ever count all the words you say because you'll randomly say a new one all the time. A couple of recent favorites though would be: armpits, diaper bag, bubbles, and peels (as in orange peels.) I love how you say "good" when I ask you how you're doing. I also love how you say your name and it comes out as "Denolin" and how you say "come on!" when you want someone to play with you. Or how you tell people to take their coats and scarves off as soon as they walk in the door because you want to make sure they're staying. (Bossy.) Cracks us up when we get you to say "goooo Cyclones!" or when you respond to our explanation of something or a reason why you can't do or have something with "oh." The word "mine" or "my _____" has become a lot more common as well. It blesses me beyond words when you say "bless you, Mama" after I sneeze, and we love it when you say "no, thank you." In a way only a mother would, I also looooove how you say "I went poo poos." (Trust me, it's cute.)

You have been and remain one picky eater. However, thankfully you will now at least try something new. Like pesto chicken and mashed potatoes last night in exchange for apple sauce. Baby steps! You love all fruit, yogurt, cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, french fries, pizza (this is sounding horrible, ha), apple sauce, cereal, oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, pb & jelly/honey, and will oddly enough eat "trees" or broccoli as most people call it. If you have ranch. You won't touch a noodle and dip the oddest things in ketchup (blueberries, for example.) We will press on! You drink only water and milk (just switched to 2%) and the occasional treat of OJ or kefir. I switch up snacks and offer organic animal crackers, raisins, dried fruit, peanut butter crackers, dry cereal or cut up fruit depending on how much other sugar you've had that day.

You don't like being "sticky" or "icky" and typically want your fingers wiped off right away if you get "dirty." You also pick up your toys very well, including sliding your stroller and grocery cart in perfect line behind one another right up against the wall. I am only thinking you may have picked up a bit of your mommy's type A tendencies.

You can sing the entire ABC's but don't know individual letters.

You can count to 20 if we alternate back and forth, which we often do if we're trying to kill some time waiting in line at the store, for example.

You love coloring but only color for 5 minutes tops before you're "all done." You do the same thing with puzzles. You love building tall towers and knocking them over. Your favorite toys or things to play with are: your kitchen and fake food, stroller, Minnie, baby dolls, stuffed animals, doll high chairs, craddle, purse, diaper bag, balls, and any thing you can carry by a handle and put things in. We call you "the bag lady" because it's often the more stuff you can carry and pack in, the better.

You could watch Elmo's World every.single.day and ask for him often. ("I watch Elmo's World, please, watch Elmo's World.") You've also recently gotten into Veggie Tales and really like Super Why! and listening to your Dora CD from Grandma and Grandpa Sinclair in the car. Family movie time has become a special thing we do on the weekends (or when mommy needs some peace and quiet upstairs to work) and something you absolutely love.

They may not stick around, but for now and in this time I will cherish your beautiful after-bath-curls.

Diaper: Size 4

Clothes: Mostly 24 months, some leggings are 3T (long legs!)

Shoes: Size 6

Teeth: I need to check, but pretty sure all molars are in.

Stats from 2 year appointment on April 2nd, 2013:

Height: 36", 95%

Weight: 27.4 lbs, 60%

Head: 19 1/4", 85%

BMI: 14.8, 10%

Daddy calculated you'll be 6' as an adult. You're going to grow past me in no time!

Well, Gwendolyn...I think in my long-windedness and could go on and on mommy way, that just about covers it. A time is coming in the very near future where you will become even more grown up than you are now, not always by choice perhaps but by necessity. I know you're going to nail your new role because I can already see such love and tenderness in you. We've had two wonderful years with you being an only child, and in only a matter of time your little world is going to be drastically changed for the better. Because this home is going to grow both in number and in love and our hearts are going to expand in new and exciting ways as we watch you become a big sister to a little baby boy.

I want you to know something, I think you're amazing and I am so proud to be your mommy. I wouldn't trade anything for my little sidekick, my shopping partner, my errand runner, my helper in the kitchen. You cheer me up when I'm down and make me laugh. You remind me to look at the airplanes in the sky, and be thankful for butterflies, and observe the rain and snow, and play and be silly and let go. You love people and being social and you don't care what you look like and are always up for a good time yet know how to relax and you sing loudly and off key and you just love life. God knew exactly what he was doing when he planned - before time - for you to be our daughter.

You have been so good for my soul.

I love you, and I can't wait to see you love on your little brother. He's blessed to have you in his life and I know he'll be a blessing to you as well. Praying for much grace as we both navigate new waters. I'll be here for you always.

Happy 2nd birthday!

So thankful,
Mommy