Sydney Turns Two!

Happy second birthday sweet Sydney Belle! Mommy and Daddy are so sorry we are not at home to celebrate with you today, but know that you are going to have a lot of fun with Grandma, Grandpa, and Myles.

It’s hard to believe it has already been two years since your birth. You truly are growing up so fast. You are an independent, strong willed, compassionate little girl with a zest for life. You are so smart and very often catch me off guard with the things you can do, say, and understand with what seems like no instruction. You are protective of your big brother and balance well your desire to look up to and learn from him, while at the same time watching out for him. You spend more time with Myles than anyone else, and if ever separated, you are constantly asking where he is.

Your goofy personality has us laughing on a daily basis, which I’m pretty sure is your intent. You have always been a “carrier,” often having no less than five random items in your hands. Lately you will request your favorite items to carry...remotes, hair bows, keys, books, small toys, blankets, babies....but then say “TWO!” “Two bows please” is a common request, but not to wear in your hair, just to carry. At bedtime you run around the house gathering the items you like to sleep with and we end up putting you to bed with two blankets, three or so babies, 5 books, and probably a hair bow. The funniest thing to me is that each morning you remember everything you had the night before. Like the other day, I came into your room after you had fallen asleep to retrieve the cup of water you wanted to hold (“no, me hold it”) and the next morning the first thing you said was “where water doe?” (go).

Bedtime is one of my favorite times of day (and not just because it means we made it through another day!). Daddy usually puts Myles to bed while you and I head to your room to read “two books” (meaning anything more than one). As I’m nearing the end of our last book you will always request that we “wock” (rock). I usually say we can rock for one minute, but it always ends up longer than that as your body sinks deeper into mine and I’m reminded of how little you still are. After we start rocking you will only speak in a whisper. You usually ask me a few questions, which I also answer in a whisper, but are often content just to sit in silence.

You’ve always had a liking for your babies, but recently you will take care of them throughout the day, telling me “baby nap” and running to lay baby down and cover her (whole face and body) with a blanket. You push your babies in the stroller, carry them in the car seat, feed them, have them sit on the “potty,” and can sometimes even be heard saying “baby naughty.” I’m still not sure what kind of trouble your babies are getting into.

You have a very loving side and constantly ask to be held. “Up, up, up,” is an incessant request of yours closely followed by “yap” (lap). You can be very needy for attention one minute and playing totally independently the next. It’s hard for you when Mama leaves in the morning on my work days. A few weeks ago on my way out the door you were crying a bit, which isn’t unusual, and looked up at me with your big blue eyes and said, “Mama, no work.” It was so sweet I just about quit my job on the spot. Just the other day as I was leaving you were contentedly reading books on the couch waiting for Myles and Daddy to get ready. I said my goodbyes and gave you a quick kiss, and as I was on my way down the hallway, I heard your little voice, “Mama? Tiss mama?” Not fully understanding at first, you repeated, “Tiss?” and puckered up your lips. I happily came back for a second kiss goodbye.

We love you, Baby Girl, and are proud of the little person you are. Have a fabulous second birthday.