Two Whole Years.

My dearest Isla,

Baby girl, you are two!  You have been telling us that your birthday is soon for the last month and it's finally here.  After you say, 'Isla's birthday soon', we will ask you how old you’ll be and you quickly and excitedly say 2!!!  You can’t quite show 2 with your pointer and middle finger, so you show us with your thumb and your pointer.  Ohhh, funny, as you would say.   Gosh, I love you so much. 

I honestly can not believe you are two.  Your momma is having a harder time with this birthday than when you turned one.  I think it’s because you are far from a baby these days and I know I’m going to blink and you’ll be driving.  It all goes so fast and I don't want to miss a moment. 

I want you to know that I absolutely adore this stage with you.  You brighten my day in so many ways, I can not begin to say.  You've started pushing your limits, and I can't help but see my own strong will in those eyes. 

You are the sweetest, gentlest, lovingest little girl.   You give the biggest, best hugs.  My heart melted when you said you loved me for the first time and even more when you now say it to me out of the blue.  Your giggle is contagious and you absolutely love to be tickled.   Most mornings involve rolling all over the bed, singing us your favorite song in that moment.  I adore your nosy kisses and you still are obsessed with running your hands through my hair. 

I'm so proud of every growth and developmental stride you have made this past year.  As much as I want to keep you as my little, sweet babe, I never want to hold you back.  You amaze me with how smart and absorbent you are.  I can't even say how many words you know, since you can talk and have conversations with us.  You can count to 15 and sing most of your abc's (sometimes not in the right order).  You absolutely love to sing.  You might not know all the words to the songs, but you know the melody and will sing your heart out.  Some of your favorite songs are Twinkle Twinkle little star, variations of your swim class songs (Wheels on the bus) and How much is that Doggy in the Window. 

The biggest change you made was rocking potty training over the Valentine's day weekend.  We started the process after swim class that day and within 2 days you really had a handle on the process.  I was amazed.  I'm still amazed.  You are still wearing diapers during nap (if you don't potty right before) and in bed, but most days you hold it as long as you can. 

You love to read.  After dad heads to work in the mornings, we typically spend a good 30 minutes reading books.  Your favorites right now are Duck&Goose, Spot and Hairy McClarey books.  You are such a cheeser, when we ask you to take photos and ask to see them as soon as they are taken.  Pretending to call people is one of your favorite activities and when we actually get to Facetime Aunt Katie and Frankie, it's the highlight of your day. 

You finally let me put ponies in your hair, but only with some book and game time on my phone.  You don't get to play much, but when you do, you enjoy Endless numbers (especially Pinkerton) and Endless reading.  We don't watch shows quite as much these days, but you mostly like songs on YouTube, Daniel Tiger and Peppa Pig.  Days with you involve painting, coloring, being a good little mother to your dolls and walking around your Frankie dog.  If you could, you would still spend the entire day outside.  You are obsessed with our pups, and especially rubbing your head all over Bella.  You will be an opportunist and ride on the Stiggie when he's laying on the bed if you get the chance.  

You still are obsessed with eating Dad's bread in the morning.  Your dad and I joked today about when you'd finally stop taking bites out of his dry sandwich bread.  He said when you're 5.  When you drink your milk from your cereal bowl, you giggle and say the silliest random words.  You love to eat dad's Turkey and cheese as much as the bread.  We finally got you a kitchen helper, which was way overdue.  You enjoy having your hands in everything and seeing exactly what is going on.  Dad has made you his little barista, as you help him scoop the coffee beans into the grinder each morning and flip the switch on and off. 

We haven't gone to your 2 year appointment, but I am guessing that you are more in the 50 percentile range now.  You are wearing some 18 month bottoms, but really fit in almost all of your 2T clothes.  You've started to get opinionated about what you wear and love helping put your clothes away.  Really you like to help with most things, including cleaning, vacuuming and both dishes and laundry. 

Finally we can say that you have all of your teeth except your 2 year molars.  Thankfully, that isn't affecting your sleep, but you are still not the best sleeper.  We went through a period where you were getting up multiple times again, but I hope we are back on track.  

Baby girl, you are the biggest ham I know and I could eat you up.  I love you so. 

Love Mommy buns.

Update for your measurements:

Height	Weight	BMI	Head Circumference
33.5 in (51st %)	27 lbs 7 oz (61st %)	17.2 (70th %)	48.7 cm (19.17 in; 81st %)