Almost 2

I can officially say Elyse is almost two years old.  Where to start?!?  Elyse is very much almost two.  In many ways, I'm reminded of just how big she is getting, and in many ways, I'm reminded of what a little baby she is :)  Jordan and I are both loving this stage so much more than we ever expected.  I just love wondering what she'll come up with next, and she is very good at surprising us!  I'm sorry ahead of time for listing all this stuff.  I just don't want to forget it all!  Here are some of the most recent things she's been up to:

* She tries to count, and each number is long and drawn-out... It usually goes: "Ooonnneeee, tttwwwoooo, sevvveeenn, eeeiigghhtt, nine ten."
* Her new favorite phrases are "right there" (as in, Daddy's nose: right there), "GOOD job, Elyse" (yes, she totally praises herself), "that's okay" when she messes up, "go poopy on potty get sucker" is a classic around here, and "that's a no-no" is repeated often.
* She loves her blankets & any and every stuffed animal.  She'll drag them around the house and can be found randomly cuddling with her blankets in any room.  She's a big fan of cuddling these days, and there's no way I can say NO to cuddle time!
* She loves to put on make-up like Mommy.  Oh, no.  Every little toy is some sort of lotion and can be rubbed all over her hair and face.  I love that you don't have to teach girls this stuff :)  They want to be just like Mommy...
* Elyse's imagination is coming alive.  She loves to pretend to do things, especially when it comes to food.  She'll constantly be asking us if we want a bite of something unknown...?  She has enjoyed her little dollhouse so much recently... perhaps because she's in the process of teaching dolly how to poop on the potty?  I even see her showing dolly how.  Wow.

* Elyse is still very sweet with Emily. Don't get me wrong- we have our moments, but she really does love to watch Emily and make her smile.  I'm thankful, as I know their "days" are coming :)
* She's getting to the point where she'll eat just about anything, and that's fun.  I'm glad she's finally grown to like citrus, as I'm a big fan of oranges this time of year!
* When she talks seriously, she'll wag her finger around and adopt an Italian accent: "Go-a-bye-a-bye" for whatever phrase she wants to say.  I'll see her "teaching" her stuffed animals things about "no-no's" and other important life lessons, all the while, shaking her finger at them.
* She loves to ask for "tickles" and to play "get you" (the game that starts with the phrase "I'm going to get you...!").
* Elyse is genuinely a goof.  I never expected to have a little clown on my hands, but she loves to just be goofy and get attention for her goofiness.  We, of course, are happy to oblige :)
* She loves singing, but she still won't try singing more than a phrase or two before she gets all shy on me....
* She talks nonstop, and hearing the phrases that come out of her mouth make my day.  Most recently, was, "Mommy?  Daddy is busy.  Mommy is busy.  Elyse is busy."  Oh, really?  She has added the word "too" to her vocab, so she loves to tack than on just about anything.  

* She's making some progress in the potty-training department, but we're definitely not THERE yet.  I sure hope she's learning something.  I know Mommy is. 
* We went to the library together for the first time this month, and she really enjoyed it.  She kept reminding me to "be quiet" because "Emmie is sleeping."
* Elyse loves school buses and the moon.  She talks about them all the time, and even reminds me that God made them :)  Some of my favorite moments are watching her face light up when she sees either one. Nothing like seeing the wonder in a toddler's face!
* She loves using adjectives whenever she can, like "big, big, big head" or "yummy, yummy, yummy grilled cheese."
* She would rather be around older kids than kids her own age.  They annoy her for some reason?  One the other hand, SHE annoys the older kids :)
* She is working hard to master walking up and down stairs.  It takes a lifetime to get in and out of our house sometimes, but I know it will be worth it!  She's a bit behind the game on this one AND in learning how to sit in a chair without having to back into it 5 feet out.

* She is working on the art of distraction when it comes to getting caught in disobedience.  She'll usually light up and wave "hi, Mommy!" to me.  The other thing she'll do is just randomly start counting (you know, counting without the numbers 3-6) as if she's doing something productive.  She'll also say, "thank you, Mommy, welcome, Mommy!"  I hope she's learning that those tactics only serve to make Mommy have to hide her smile.  :)
* Elyse doesn't hate her car seat as much now that she is able to recognize things around her.  I usually hear her identifying everything she can from the back seat.  We talk about everything from bridges to trees to birds.
* She desperately needs bigger glasses, but we're trying so hard to make it to the end of the year!!
* She told me today that God made her potty.  Amen.  Let's use it then, dear!

I'm so thankful for this girl.  These 23 months with her have been so fun.  We've definitely had our CHALLENGING moments, but I know that won't end for many many years.  She constantly reminds me of the simple joys in life, and I've learned a lot from parenting this little gal.  I know the fun's only beginning, in many ways, and I get excited about doing this stage all over again with Emily.  I really am going to miss this when they're grown!  We love you, Miss Elyse!