a day in the life of a 2 year old

7:00:  Stella ran in our room, wide awake first thing in the morning, as she always is.  When we told her "Happy Birthday!", she asked "Where's Chrissy?".  I think Sylvia had told her over and over, that on her birthday there would be a party and Aunt Chrissy would be there. We told her the big party was "tomorrow" and that Aunt Chrissy and everyone else would be there.  She was happy with that answer and happy to watch Little Bear, and Little Bill on TV.

8:00 Stella had a huge decision to make:  raisin bran for breakfast (her FAVORITE) or waffles (her other favorite).  Raisin bran won today, on this special 2nd birthday.

 

9:00 Stella approved the outfit I picked out (yay!) of a green dress and got a surprise:  brand new sparkly shoes that Daddy bought the night before.  Sylvia got some too, and they were both thrilled.

 10:00 Somehow, we were still at various stages of getting dressed and it was time to fix Stella's hair, which was curled into the biggest nest of knots ever.  I sprayed her down with detangle spray and toyed with the idea of a 2nd birthday pixie hair-cut.  No one gets tangles in their hair like Stella.

11:00  After the hours it took us to get dressed, make sure everyone was well fed, had gone potty, and had clean diapers, we finally made it into the car and off to the store in search of cupcakes.

12:00  The girls were so good at the store picking out table cloths and plates and favors.  Stella loved looking at all of the cupcakes and picked out red velvet for her birthday (no problem), she quickly picked out Dora cakes for her "big" party (no problem), and she totally freaked out when she realized the Dora cakes were not coming home with us (big problem).  I walked to the checkout pushing  Jeremy in his stroller, carrying a screaming Stella, and reminding Sylvia every three steps to hold on to the stroller.  yikes.  Oh well, Stella will be thrilled when the Dora cakes we ordered are ready tomorrow.

1:00  LUnch was peanut butter and jelly, which Stella got all over herself and screamed for me to wipe her off every five minutes.  Really, every five minutes.  

2:00 - 3:00 nap time!

4:00 Stella wrapped herself around my leg as I tried to vacuum and fold laundry.

4:10 Stella freaks out because she wants to wear her "stinky", fancy, pink flower shoes.

4:15  Stella freaks out because she wants her  "stinky", fancy, pink flower shoes off.

4:20 Stella freaks out because she wants her "stinky", fancy, pink flower shoes on again.

4:30  I give up.  We all go outside to play and wait for Daddy.

5:30  Daddy is home!  Then Stella hangs out with Daddy while I make dinner.  They talk a lot about Momma Mia.  (a common theme in our house these days - someone is always singing something, and it's often Momma Mia).

6:00 Birthday dinner is chicken, sweet potatoes, and spinach.  Stella eats nothing.  She rarely eats dinner, but has been known to eat 2 bowls of raisin bran for breakfast and ask for more.  It all balances out.

7:00  Birthday bathtime with Daddy.  Bathtime with Daddy always involves lots of giggles and water EVERYWHERE.

8:00  Stella opened a Dora backback, Dora stickers, and a Dora cup, while she and Sylvie sat in their Dora pj's.  She opened her cards, including a special drawing from Syvlie, and then ran around playing while Daddy put together her new wheel barrel.

9:00  Cupcake time.  We explained very carefully to Stella that fire was hot, and she should sit still while we sing to her, then make a wish, and then blow out the candles.  She said she knew what she was wishing for, and just as we got 3/4 through the Happy Birthday song, she quickly blew out her "2" candle on her little cupcake.  So sweet :)

Bed time! 

Stella has taught me more patience than I ever thought possible, and someday, I hope I can teach her some :)  She always knows what she wants, which usually involves whatever Sylvia has or some form of footwear that she either wants on or off RIGHT NOW!   She has recently started using sentences, and there is nothing that warms my heart like hearing her say "OK, Mama", as she so often does.  Stella has been glued to my side since the day she was born, and I cannot believe my baby girl is 2.  I love you so very, very much Stella Jane.

Stella facts:
Favorite shows:  Little Bear, Dora, Yo Gabba Gabba, Backyardigans
Favorite foods:  Waffles, raisin bran, yogurt, chocolate
Favorite color:  She tends to call most colors "blue" and thinks "chocolate" is a color, so probably one of those
Favorite time of day:  mornings, and when she hides her eyes as Daddy walks in the door
Frequent sayings:
"too" = me too
"soon" = see you soon
"back" = I'm back
"do too" = I love you too
"I WANT IT"
"GIVE IT TO ME"
"Where Daddy Go?"
Songs she sings (usually with Sylvia):
Tomorrow from Annie
Mama Mia
the Alphabet song (she's getting good at that!)
anything by Taylor Swift (Sylvia's fault!)
anything by Adele (my fault!)
Favorite activities:  playing outside and playing pretend with Sylvia
Stella is sweet and feisty, loves fancy shoes and tutus, and most of all, LOVES when we understand what she is saying.  She has been frustrated for a LONG time, and her eyes light up when we know what she is saying.  It has been amazing to watch her change and grow every single day, and she will always be my baby girl.

Happy 2nd Birthday Stella!

Lots of love, 
Keri