Jump for Joy ~ Belle is 2.5

Puddle jumping on our walk

Belle turned two and a half last weekend.  Can it really be true we are half way to three?  She has grown almost two inches in the past six months and has been sleeping in this past week until 9am to 10am daily!  Do I have a teenager or a toddler?  She knows her ABCs, counts to ten, can read her Thomas the Train books to me from memory and adores her baby brother.  Curious George was kicked to the curb a month ago and she is now infatuated with Jake and the Neverland Pirates and her Letter Factory video.  We talk about Captain Hook and the crocodile a lot and then she also likes to throw imaginary pixie dust on you and have you carry her around the house so she can fly.  This doubles as our arm workouts.  Her favorite excuse to use when she does not want to do something is, "I'm too busy."  I hear this daily, "No Mama!  I'm too busy!"  Busy doing what I am not sure, but I try my best to respect her schedule.  Belle has zero interest in potty training.  We have tried bribing her with ice cream and while she gladly accepted it, she is not motivated by it.  We need to find a motivator soon.  Grandma bought her a blue purse a month ago and that is her favorite accessory and hiding place for her treasurers.  By treasurers I mean the remote to our stereo, rocks, anything that might be expensive and small, scissors, Mom's lipstick, her binky and more rocks.  Belle is a very sweet big sister and very patient.  Will likes to be right up in her business and she handles it quite well.  She soothes him when he is crying and loves to make him laugh.  What I am most thankful about at this age is that I still have the honor of rocking Belle before bed each night.  She specifically asks for it and even on those nights where I am just done, I sit down and realize this moment with her will not be forever.  She twirls her hair and rest her head on me and I just close my eyes and thank God for my little girl.

Belle's growth chart stats

Our Family in March

Our family had a few photos taken on Sunday by our good friend Adam.  Of course I had completely forgotten about daylight savings and we all know how that can really make your kids sleeping patterns an absolute mess.  Belle was a bit of a challenge to photograph, but Will was on board.

Eight Months with Two Teeth

Eight months!?!  Eight months!?!  Time is flying.  In the past month so much has changed.  You sprouted your bottom two front teeth.  You have started clapping and it is so cute.  I think your sister was instrumental in teaching this to you.  You have more hair coming in and it likes to spike up.  You can now plank for longer than your parents, get up on your knees and move back and forth and seem to be days away from figuring out how to crawl.  You may be starting a trend of only getting up once a night (yes, please!) and I know your Dad and I would welcome it.  You seem to love food and haven't refused any of the food we have given you thus far.  You still cuddle when you are sleepy and it is precious.  Your digestive track is amazing and can go through a case of diapers in no time!  Some days it feels like your output is a hundred times more than your input.  You love to suck, bite, nibble, taste test everything within your reach.  You have learned how to take your diaper off, which is no cool buddy.  Best of all, you said MAMA to me very clearly the other day.  You looked me right in the eyes and said it and my heart melted.  Sure you babble all sorts of other stuff, but the best job title I have in the world is Mama and hearing it from your little voice is awesome.  

Will I know I say it all of the time, but you are so happy and have completed our family so nicely.  Watching you grow into a little boy brings us such joy.  I am so lucky to be your Mama.