Dear Stinkerbell,

The countdown to your 2nd birthday has begun. On Monday, it will be 30 days away. Kind of unbelievable.

This year we began learning just who you are. You've got some serious sass, young lady. (Along with a shoe obsession.) You're passionate, charming, emotional, and super girly.

Several months ago, when I was washing your hair, I noticed we were out of baby shampoo. I used some regular shampoo, just trying not to get it in your eyes. I failed. It stung your eyes.

You were SO UPSET with me. You folded your arms, stuck your lip out, and turned your back to me. Then remained that way for several minutes, ignoring my apologies, giving me the silent treatment. At 18 months old, you gave me a guilt trip.
Like most toddlers, you love a good chase. I once heard someone say, "as soon as they start moving, they're trying to get away from you". Yeah. That's about right. Although, you will go anywhere with your brother.

In fact, if I need you to hold someone's hand in a crowded place, you prefer that hand to be Jonah's. And he doesn't mind. He loves you, too.

Your main interest is doing whatever he's doing. That includes jumping off furniture and wrestling with Daddy. You're cautious, but willing to try just about anything to keep up with Bubba.

You sure can pull off the "boo-boo's with tutus" look.
Your toes are banged up, your shins are bruised, you have scraped knees. But your toenails are painted pink, and you love a frilly skirt!

"The only thing that separates us from the animals, is our ability to accessorize!"
- Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias

MANY times a day you changes shoes, clothes, hair accessories. Your favorite toy is a play purse loaded with plastic jewelry. You call hair-bows/clips, "pretties".

Recently, I finished changing your diaper, then left you running around in your skivvies. Just minutes later, you interrupted my kitchen-cleaning to take my hand and drag me back to your room.
You pointed at the shirt drawer and looked at me earnestly.
"Want to get dressed?", I asked.
"YES! Tank you, Mama!"
Then you practically rolled your eyes at me for taking so long to get you dressed.
I pulled out a brown and white zebra-striped tank top and pulled it over your head. You looked down at the shirt, both hands on your chest, and said, "cute", then ran off to play.

Cute, indeed! I cannot WAIT to see what this next year brings.

Love you so much, Baby Girl,
Mama