My Baby Is TWO!

Yep, Gabriella just turned two this weekend.  Where in the world did the time go?  Every day is full of fun new surprises with her.  I thoroughly enjoy life with my baby girl (yes, she's a mama's girl for now).  She brings everyone she's around such joy.  I am constantly laughing with her.  She's has such a sweet, sweet, loving spirit.  She is caring and concerned about everyone.  She doesn't like when people/children are upset, and she wants to know what's going on with everyone at all times.  She loves to hug and give 'besos.'  She loves her baby brother and always wants to love on him.  I think she's super smart.  She learns things quickly, often the first time.  She has a great memory, often remembering things I've forgotten.  She's a great eater...much less picky than her Mommy!  She eats way healthy...lots of fruit and veggies...not a big fan of meat though.  I call her a "snackaholic."  (she calls herself that now too, haha)  She can be shy with adults at first, but loves to interact with other children.   She is usually quiet and a bit reserved at first, but once she's comfortable, she'll talk your ear off!  My little chatterbox asks a million questions, states a million observations a second.  Girl has an opinion.  Lately, everything is "Gabriella's", as she says.  She's also recently been claiming things for Mommy (That's Mommy's chair, drink, purse! etc.)  And no one else should touch them...  She has a great sense of humor already, and seems to know when something's a joke and laughs along too.  She's mid way through potty training.  She began around 18 mo, then we sort of stopped, now she goes just about any time I'll put her on the potty.  I just need to remember to take her!  I'd love for us to be down to one in diapers this summer.  As if you can't tell, I love my girl SO much.  I have loved every minute of being her mommy. 

Here are a few notes about my TWO year old:

* She can say her alphabet and identify some of the letters.
* She can count to 'sleven' (eleven).
* She can spell her name "G-A-B-R-I-E-L-L-A" (I figured w/ such a long name we needed to get a head start!)
* She's almost 2 years older than her baby brother, but not a lot bigger!
* She loves and talks about her friends and family all the time- so social. 
* She loves music, loves to dance and sing.  She sings lots of different songs, and makes song requests.  And...she can sing WAY better than her Mommy, no kidding.
* She almost always uses pronouns correctly.  I don't know why I always notice that.  Haha.
* She loves taking care of her 'babies' and doing things like Mommy/Daddy/Noni does.
* She can sit still for a long time...whether on my lap in a waiting room or while playing playdoh.
* She still loves books, and remembers who/what is in each one.  And if I forget an important part of the story, I will hear about it!
* Girl likes to be heard.  She'll repeat herself 1,000 times if you don't acknowledge what she's saying.
* She thinks she's 10 years old, and expects to be treated that way.

"Awards Night"

As I've said before, Gabriella LOVES her 'Mommy & Me' gymnastics class.  She goes once a week to her little class, and has so much fun.  This session/season is ending, so we've decided to sign her up for summer classes too.  She'll now be in the Toddler class for 2 yr olds (w/o Mommy)... :(  I'm looking forward to continuing to see how much my little baby grows.  Here's their "awards day" class, celebrating the end of their 'season'.  She really has come a long way over the past couple of months.  She's more confident, coordinated, social, and independent.  Good job, baby, we're proud of you!

Wow, baby!

Learning to jump...it's tough!

Doing the beam on her own...what a big step for her!

Feeling like a big girl on the 'big beam'

Such serious concentration!

Always #1

Noni & Popi came for her special day

Proud family (G's showing off her medal!)

All Dressed Up

Coordinating before church one morning (much harder w/ one boy and one girl!)

Lil Diva

Meeting Uncle Tori

"Uncle" Tori, a LONG time friend of our family, recently came back to GA to visit (he's living out west now).  He was so sweet with the kids.  Here are pics from the first visit.

Kruz was a little squirmy for him, but I think they bonded anyway, ha!

Bribing with his phone (hey,whatever works)

"Well, if Mommy's okay w/ this guy, then..."

Smooches and smiles!

Dimples in Denim

Who did Kruz get dimples from?  We have no idea!  I love them though!

He really hates to sit...he kept scrunching down.  He wants to stand already, silly boy.

Sun, Snacks, and Sidewalk Chalk

Evenings (after nap, before dinner) are usually our outdoor play time on nice days.  Below is one of our favorite things to do at this time:

My beautiful "Snackaholic"...seriously.

Gotta have some nutrients before an artist can work...

A little rest to focus on the task at hand...

Um...not liking this position too much...

This is better! :)

The tools.

Just a little peek of our masterpiece.

Home Happenings

I love my babies.  Some pics of us hanging out at home the past couple of weeks:

'Sissy' loves to share all of her sleeping animals w/ baby Kruz...all the time.

This face landed a small modeling gig w/ Carter's clothing the other day.  Sweetie pie!

Tummy time!

BIG muscles!!

She loves playing w/ her bows!

Mommy is WORN out...and so is baby!