July 27, 2008

  • Happy Birthday!

    Dear Kristen,

    Happy Birthday! You're a whole 2 years old today! Isn't it amazing how time flies... How just about 731 days ago you were a tiny screaming little newborn, and now you are a bigger screaming toddler!

    These past two years have been such a huge rollercoaster, but it's all worth it. There are times where you are difficult, but immediately, you would be able to melt our hearts with your wide cheeky smiles... Yup, you're an expert at that.

    At one year, you could barely walk. Just a few steps here and there. Now? You're running, climbing up and down stairs, jumping off the stairs, jumping on the spot, marching (and calling out march-march-march), turning round and round in circles till you get all giddy and fall on me, climbing onto chairs yourself, throwing yourself down onto beds.

    At one year, you could not say many words, just tiny babbles at most. Now? You can call dog, bird, pig, cat, cow, horse, lion, rabbit, mouse, giraffe... and make their sounds as you call them, although we haven't figured out what a giraffe says yet. You can say a cute little "no" (imagine low to high pitch type of act-cute "no") and sometimes you wave your finger and go "nooo..." (imagine a low pitch type of warning "noooooo"). You can also sing some songs, not so clearly but we can guess what you're singing. Part of your repertoire includes"I Love You" (Barney-style), "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (Classic) and "Happy Birthday". You're starting to combine words too, like "Black Car", "Uncle Room" and "Wear Shoe". You're also able to go "shhhh" and start whispering! We would whisper to you what the cows say and you would whisper back "moo".

    Here you are doing the last part of "I Love You"

    Here you are doing the first part... before getting interrupted by the dinner bell.

    At one year, you were barely giving hugs. Now? You're asking for hugs! You would say "hug-hug" to Mummy and Daddy and make us both give you a hug at the same time! Yup, you have a thing for group-hugs. You know to wave bye-bye to people when they're leaving, or when you are leaving. You are now very attracted to older children. Always wanting to play with them and follow them. Once at IKEA, you kept following this older girl around, and she noticed and held your hand and brought you around the little play area at the restaurant. But mostly, older kids being older kids would ignore you and continue playing.

    At one year, the only thing you could feed yourself with was your crackers and biscuits. Now? You're using a spoon and fork and although mostly messy, you are able to get the food from the bowl to your mouth. Not too long ago, you loved any food we gave you. Now you're so much more picky. But! Without fail, you would eat steamboat (somehow, you would always eat that), ice cream and crackers - no matter how bad your appetite is.

    At one year, we still had to carry you and rock you to sleep. Now? You would drink your milk, lie down and fall asleep by yourself (and Mummy usually falls asleep with/before you).

    It is amazing how much you've changed in just one year...Well, you're two now! It's Terrr-ific Twos right?

    Love,          

    Mummy