Two going on Five

Full of energy and personality, turning 2 for this girl has been more like she's trying to skip herself ahead a few years.  She's definitely very excited to figure things out for herself and do things just like her brother and (especially) her sister.

Fascinated with shoes right now, she'll wear any pair she can find.  She loves to take them on and off, with particular interest in Alexis' glitter shoes.  And of course, all shoes need accessories.  And I must say that most of these pictures are a bit blurry as I can never get her to hold still long enough!

On her birthday, I took the girls to the children's museum.  They loved their little adventure together - and it's a nice place to go when the weather is so dang cold.

 Opening gifts was a bit hilarious.  She is lucky to have fun presents to open from our extended family. She loved getting into the boxes that held the packages (literally!). And, with each gift, she wanted to open it completely - including putting on a new outfit as soon as she received it!

 She loves a book called Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars and flaps her hands like butterflies on the last page.  It's definitely her favorite.  So, I made her a little butterfly cake!

 A blurry shot of one of the first times she decided to go up and down the stairs like a big kid.  That transition always makes me a bit nervous.

Just about a month after her birthday, she has kept with the big kid trend and completely boycotted her crib.  Unbelievable climbing skills to get out as soon as she was put in.  Since it was a crazy week (more on that later), and the week before we went on vacation, I made every attempt I could to delay her need to be a big kid.  It was helpless, she even mastered climbing out of the pack-n-play without tipping it over (we should sign her up for a 2 year old ninja warrior show!).  After a few sleepless nights, we took the front of the crib off, and left her to her own devices.  Clearly interested in doing things on her own terms, she would fall asleep anywhere but on the bed, and only after making a mess of anything she could get her hands on.  On vacation, she figured out that a pull out sofa bed was exactly what the other kids were sleeping on, and after the first night, did quite well.  And, seems to be liking her bed more now - especially since it has freedom AND a pillow!

She loves to shadow her sister and will definitely miss having her around next year when Alexis is in kindergarten.

Nicknames include:  Tay Tay, little T, tornado Tayler, little bruiser and when she doesn't sleep Tayler the Terror.

We are so happy to have her energy around - I love the emotion she has whether it is happy, sad, excited or mad it is so fun.   She's very clear if she does or does not want something, and there is very little convincing her otherwise.  She loves to laugh and to make people laugh, and most often will start pulling the funniest faces at dinner just to be part of the conversation.  Her strong will,  independence and competitive nature have been part of her since birth and it will be fun to see how it all develops with time.  At the same time, it's been neat to see her compassion develop and when someone is feeling sad, she will walk over to them and say "hug" with her arms wide open.  I love that about her.  Hearing "hug" in her little voice is the best.

Her favorite things are definitely books and art (preferably markers - which I just love).  She loves to dress up in anything and of course run around and giggle like crazy.  She loves to sing (of course, not on camera), and says the cutest little prayers around.

Happy 2 to Tayler!