Bella's 2 year Update!

I think I have started every one of these posts the same way, but each time I do one of these-- I really can't believe my baby is 2 years old!

I love that I have kept up with these update posts and reading back over them starting with my pregnancy with her, brings tears to my eyes.

If I thought year one flew by....

Then that was nothing compared to year 2..... (Warning- picture overload!)

Okay, I could seriously sit here and upload pictures all day but I am going to make myself stop now and share the pics from her actual birthday. The one on the left is Bella eating her birthday breakfast. What else? Pancakes with candles. And then homemade strawberry cake with a #2 candle. Of course.

And now to the update part....

Weight~ 25 pounds

Height~ Umm... I'll have to get back on this. Somebody threw away the papertowel I had this written on from the MD's office. Not naming any names or anything:)

Feedings~ Can I even call it this anymore? Bella eats 3 meals a day and a morning and afternoon snack.

Favorite Breakfast- Eggs, turkey bacon, and toast

Favorite Lunch- Macoroni and Cheese

Favorite Dinner- She really eats anything we eat but she really likes spaghetti, chicken, corn on the cob and green beans.

Snacks- She Love, love, LOVES pumpkin and banana organic baby food packets and gerber disney princess baby food packets as long as there's a princess on front.

Sleep~ Year 2 has been great on this front. Bella takes one 2-3 hour nap about midday and goes down easily at night between 7:30-8pm and wakes around 7:30am. No complaints here!

Play~ This child is the epitomy of Girlie. She loves to play dress up, barbies, dolls, coloring, dancing, singing, "reading" books and of course anything her sisters are doing is top on her list. But her absolute favorite thing is to play building blocks.

Development~

Copies others, especially adults and older children

Gets excited when with other children

Shows independence

Shows defiant behavior (check! And looks you in the eye the whole time!)

Plays with other children

oints to things or pictures when they are named

Knows names of familiar people and body parts

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words

Follows simple instructions

Repeats words overheard in conversation

Points to things in a book

Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers

Begins to sort shapes and colors

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books

Plays simple make-believe games

Builds towers of 4 or more blocks

Might use one hand more than the other

Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog

Stands on tiptoe

Kicks a ball

Begins to run

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help

Walks up and down stairs holding on

Throws ball overhand

Makes or copies straight lines and circles

And we have just switched over to pullups. So far I have done absolutely no training. I'm a firm believer that taking it slow is much more progressive than rushing the process. Trust me. I've done this a time or two. But already she has used the potty in our bathroom a couple of times all on her own. She just went in there with Mary Kathryn and copied her. Plan- Let her set her own pace with guidance when needed.

Favorite things to do~ Play building blocks!, singing, dancing, hiding (especially in cabinets), playing with her sisters, coloring, watching Mickey Mouse and The Grinch movie (she is obsessed with this movie but hides during the scary parts). Personally, after watching this movie, I think she favors cindy lou who:) And one of her favorite things to do is play in her sisters' bedrooms. She loves going in their rooms and pulling out their toys. She has a ball but makes a mess. Neither of her sisters like this very much....But of course they get taken in by her cuteness and let her play in there anyway:) We are working on learning to pick our toys up but it's a work in progress.

Personality~ Anyone who knows Bella knows she is very outgoing. She will sing and dance for anyone who will take the time to watch. In fact, sometimes we turn the tv off and watch Bella instead. It's way more entertaining I promise!

We love watching our Bella grow and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for her!