How? When? Why? Ugh...

One year old...

Two years old...

How did this happen? When did this baby become a two year old and why am I so traumatized about it? It sounds so cliche', but the old adage "time flies" holds some weight. It truly does and I think children are the reason. An adult ages but not at lightening speed...we stay the same size (ish), retain our current speech (barring a few cocktails)...nothing changes that dramatically over two years. But a child...it all changes, exponentially, in those short months. Even since her last birthday, Madeline's vocabulary, personality and well, hair, have drastically grown.



For some reason this is very traumatic for me. While I am so excited to see her change and grow into this spirited, fun little girl, I want to cling to her babydom. Maybe it's because she may be the only child I have. I don't want to hold her back, just slow her down a bit. From one day to the next, she becomes her own person, less dependent and more "girl-like". Even her features are changing from that baby face to the slimmer lines of a little girl. Ugh.




So, in honor of her second birthday, here is a list of all things Maddie, her accomplishments and abilities:.


1. She can aaaalmost say the alphabet, mumbling through l,m,n,o,p...

2. She can count to 13. Not sure why 13, but there you have it.

3. She is rocking quite the mullet. Her blond hair is receding up front and growing long in the back. I keep praying for Aunt Tamra's hair. Poor child should not be doomed to my awful mane.

4. Her favorite toys are her play kitchen, coloring books and crayons (not necessarily going together...the walls see more color these days) and her trusted stuffed dog, Violet.

5. She eats pretty healthily, but loves Mac and Cheese and Cheese Dogs. We try to limit these horrid foods but hey, even health conscious adults need a McDonald's cheeseburger now and again.

6. She has quite the attitude. She wants her way, yesterday and expects whoever is in her presence to comply to her every demand or an ear-piercing scream will ensue with potential for dramatic floor-flinging and limb-flailing. We are currently implementing "Time Out". She spends lotsa time there :)

7. She is in love with TV, so we try to limit it, although even when it's on she runs back and forth from it to whatever fancies her at the next moment (she gets this ADD honest...). Currently, Baby Einstein, The Bubble Guppies and Kai-Lan lead the pack of faves.

8. She is girly (loves the Disney Princesses, dress up, dolls...) but is also a bit of a tomboy (she's very physical, loves to be dirty, hates bows in her hair...). I kind of love this about her. I don't want her to feel she has to be one way or the other. I think a little balance is a wonderful quality.

9. I really believe she will be a performer. She isn't shy, loves to sing and dance and literally demands an audience for much of what she does.

10. She is a beach baby. She could spend all day in the sand and surf. The pool is great too and she loves it as well, but not like the beach. That's her place!



We are truly blessed, this little family of mine. We don't have alot, but we have the love and dedication of one another. I'd say that's everything we need. Happy Birthday, my sweet love muffin.