Three!.....Nooooo.... Two!

Evelyn turned 2 on March 15th.  For the first 2 weeks after she turned two - I would ask, 'How old are you?' she would get so excited - hold up 4 fingers and say, 'three!'  -- umm not quite :)  So then I say, 'noooooo' and she says, 'two!'  We finally got it down and now when you ask she says 2 with gusto!

She really has seemed 'older' these past few weeks - it is truly unbelievable how her speech and motor skills seem to develop overnight.  We could really tell a difference at about 22 months when her babble turned to words and her words turned to 2, 3 and even 7 word sentences!  She definitely has 'mine' syndrome - she is very conscience of what is Evelyn's and what isn't and makes sure that you know if it is hers.  At daycare I love talking with the other children when I pick up Evelyn - comment on their shoes or toy or whatever.  She always makes sure the other child knows - this is MY mommy!  She does a great job of sharing when prompted - but it doesn't come natural that is for sure!


We have definitely entered the land of 'Repeat' - she will repeat everything you say - and if noone is talking she repeats phrases to herself over and over.  Especially if she knows something exciting is going to happen.  If I tell her in the morning that we are going to Grandmas house to spend the night - she will babble throughout the day, 'Go Mama's house - stay night?' or if I tell her that we are out of grapes she will continue to tell me that, 'Gapes all gone - get more store.'  You can literally hear her processing all of the thoughts and words out loud - it is awesome!  We are working on counting - and letters.  Her favorite number AND letter is 9!  She hasn't really figured out that these are separate.  Just this morning she was talking to herself in her crib and singing, 'A, B, C, 4' over and over... When she does count she usually goes, '1,2,3,9,5,7,8,9,10!' not quite in order but getting there.  She loves to point out Daddy's truck and Mommy's car.  Every day when we get home she insists on staying outside and says, 'no go side -stay here' - so every day I let her stand just outside the door until she is ready to come in (usually about 2 minutes)  I think it is all about it being on her time line.  She comes in when she is good and ready - not when silly Mommy thinks it is time!  She also likes to talk about places she is going to go and who she is going to see....  'Go church, see Father'  'Go school, see Shelby' 'Go home, see Gunner'! 

We had her 2 year check-up.  I am giving her an overall A- :)  She waited so patiently in the waiting room (I brought her mini-dry erase board for entertainment)  Then used the big kid scale for the first time with no problems - unfortunately she had to take off her shoes to do this - which sent her into a near-panic.  She thought about throwing a fit - but instead bolted down the hallway of our HUGE Dr.'s office.  I was in no mood to play 'chase' and walked as fast as I could after her - found her in the CONFERENCE room hiding behind a chair - I said, in my calmest almost-yelling-but-not-quite-voice, "Evelyn Elizabeth you are NOT getting a sticker!"  she giggles and I grab her - SO mad.  We finally made it back to the room and she was just as calm and cooperative as can be.  I was so embarrassed - but you win some- you lose some at this age.  We will definitely be discussing when it is appropriate to play 'chase' and when it isn't at length before we enter any public building from now on!  We stripped down so she could get measured and the nurse went over Childcare 101 as they do at every appointment.  Read my child books? OK.  Keep her in the backseat in a carseat --really?  Oh OK.  Positive reinforcement -hmmm never thought of that - haha!

We had to keep her clothes off while we waited for the Dr. - she didn't understand - so I told her we had to show the Dr. her tummy - which seemed to work.  We waited for what seemed like a 1/2 hour and passed the time by organizing the books (what a mess!) and playing pretend store and pretend wash our hands.  Evelyn is starting to initiate these pretend situations - and it was really cute!  'More soap Mommy?' 'Yes, please - oh thank you!'

Finally the Dr. came in and she was all smiles and politeness.  She showed off her vocabulary and even sat still while he did the overall check - it was more than impressive - I honestly could not believe it!  When the nurse came in with the tray of needles - she got just a bit apprehensive - but did awesome when they did the finger prick and shot - the reward of a band-aid on her finger was the highlight of her day and she kept it on for almost 24 hours. She was so proud to show Daddy her 'owie' and she babied that finger all night - it was precious.

We didn't throw a big bash - but we did have a chance to see almost all of the Grandma's and Grandpa's and she love - LOVED - opening presents.  She was, of course, totally spoiled by her grandparents - and has been having fun riding her big wheel, reading her new books, using her new chairs and coloring with her new markers.  I have loved the new clothes - and we are so lucky to have such loving family :)  I wasn't going to make a cake - Evelyn prefers cookies - but I had to make some for the St. Pat's church St. Patrick Day festival - so I made an extra one for Evelyn.  I am more than a little embarrassed - as it turned out looking like a 4th grader make it - but it tasted good, so that is what counts right?  If I had thought that it would be on video or Grandma would be taking a picture of it - I would have put a little more effort into it! Now I know I guess....  Click here to see all of the Birthday pics

I practiced blowing out candles with Evelyn that morning in her waffles - so thought she would do great when the big moment came.....as you can see in the video - she did NOT like having all of the attention on her and broke into tears during 'Happy Birthday' - it was terribly sad.  But you will be happy to know that after everyone left we did a 're-do' and she did amazing!