growing up

Finley had her 2 year check yesterday. She has jumped up to 12th percentile in height (32 1/2 inches) and 8th percentile in weight (22 lb 6 oz). We have all just come to accept that we are not growing giants here. We love our petite little girls!



Here are just a few things I wanted to write down to remember about the life of my little 2 year old...

1. To go to bed you have to be able to have access to your belly button, have your blankie draped over your shoulder, minnie mouse in your arms, and a sippy cup of water in your hand.

2. Your favorite show is Finding Nemo. You yell "yahoo" and "yippee" every time it comes on. You love fish tanks and point out Dory and Nemo whenever you can.

3. You like to run around scaring your sister with your hands up, yelling "DRAGON" and roaring.

4. Your favorite food is cheese- not string cheese, but sliced tillamook cheddar (and ONLY sliced tillamook cheddar) and goldfish.

5. One of your most favorite activities is dancing with your sister- to the radio, to the music on CARS, in the car- wherever and whenever you can.

6. You love to kiss and love on the baby in mommy's tummy.

7. You are baby OBSESSED! You want to touch them, hold them, love them- to the point of being a tad bit smothering. Mommy will have to watch you CAREFULLY when the new baby comes.

8. You are very outgoing with other children. You love to run and play with the big kids (including your older sister). You are always running around, giving lovies, demanding hugs- some kids might be scary because they are bullies- you are scary because you are so affectionate!

9. You love books and want to "read" them yourself more often than letting anyone read to you.

10. Your favorite part of your bedtime routine is singing songs. You always say "more songs." Your favorite songs are "the Jesus song" and Raindrops on Roses.

11. You have an extreme shoe fetish. You LOVE shoes. Yours yes, but you like stomping around in mommy's and Avery's shoes even more. Boots are your favorite.

12. You are so snuggly and cuddly (when you are not too busy running circles around us all). You give the BEST hugs! You have a way of making everyone around you feel loved.

13. Your uncles are your favorite. You light up whenever Bubba, DayDay, or Uncle Chris walks in a room to see you.

14. You are a very happy, smiley little girl, but you can also throw attitude with the best of them (your sister). You also give some of the dirtiest looks I have ever seen.

15. Your newest phrases (that you have picked up from your sassy pants sister) are "That NOT funny," as you fold your arms across your chest. "I not happy" with a "umph" under your breath for added emphasis. And, "I don't want it."

16. You call Avery "ReeRee" and we have all started to call her that too.

17. You are a big helper- you will get anything I ask you to get- you pick up (and sing our clean up song) whenever you see me starting to clean up. If anyone drops anything, you are the first to grab it and hand it back. You love to take things and throw them in the garbage and are USUALLY pretty good about distinguishing what is garbage vs. what is not.

18. My favorite thing is to hear you say "night night- I love you mommy" as I am leaving your room at bedtime.

19. You love to talk on the phone. You make anything and everything into a phone- a piece of paper, a block, a spoon?!

20. Whenever you do something you find challenging you yell, " Whoo hoo" I did it, I did it!" and give a round of high fives and pounds (with your signature "urgg"). We are so proud of you too!

We love you Finley! You are SUCH a joy and blessing in our life. You are your older sister's biggest fan and best friend and you will be WONDERFUL big sister to your new baby. We ALL love you so!