I can't... she's just... but she... I... GAHHHHH!!! TWO!

And queue the ever popular and cliché momisms.

How is my baby so grown up? Jeez the time flies. The days are long but the years are short. Is this the little girl I carried? As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be. Lady in reddddddd.

Okay, maybe not that last one. But any how, these are clichés for a reason and I am feeling all the melancholy motherhood feelings today. She is two. My sweet girl is TWO. Sniff.

Mothering this little soul is one of the most challenging, rewarding, and phenomenal things I've ever done. She is as much a spitfire, energetic ball of passion as she is a contemplative and observant nurturer.

She stands tall at 35 and 3/4 inches (90th percentile!) and weighs in at 29 and 1/2 pounds. I am picturing the young lady she will become one day. And now I am crying again.

Some notables at two years:

Her vocabulary is exploding and she is saying new words each and every day. This week she said explore, Einstein, and glasses. I am amazed at her physicality and motor control. She walks and runs so steadily, climbs fearlessly, jumps, skips, hops, dances, and plays with so much gusto and pizzaz. When she is not actually sleeping, she is running from place to place or scooting on her tricycle. She sets the pace of our home as soon as she wakes us up every morning.

Music and singing are her passions. She can be doing something and when a favorite song comes on, she will stop whatever she is doing and dance. Her baby doll is her best little friend. She takes such good care of that baby. It's the sweetest thing. Oh, am I crying again?

With all her spunk and passion also comes stubbornness and attitude. The amount of sass that fits in this little person is astounding. She really gives Paul and me a run for our money. She is remorseless after she flings food all over the house and will look you right in the eye and smile before bonking you on the head. She never forgets if you bribe/promise her something and distraction is not an option. If she wants something, she will remember. FOREVER.

But she's also incredibly loving. She is generous with hugs and kisses and if you are lucky enough to slow her down for some snuggles, she is quite the expert. Emma's favorite activities usually involve imitating dear old mom and dad. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, dressing, washing, or whatever, she likes to get in on the action and do as we do.

She does everything we do except the one thing that I would reeeeeally love if she copied - doing her business in the dang toilet. Her interest in potty training only extends to sitting fully clothed on her big girl potty and making "pssssssssing" sounds. When I ask her if she wants to go #2 on the big girl potty she screams no, no, no, no, no and runs away. Great. She will let us know when she is ready to potty train and until then, I'll just have to deal. Battles picked.

She adores animals, is obsessed with sweets, and is afraid of loud/sudden noises. She loves to read and to be read to, she has to have her favorite stuffies for nap and bed time, and will do the exact opposite of what is asked just to get a rise out of you.

I am in love with this wild girl and I cannot wait to see her as a big sister. Happy birthday beautiful soul. Mommy and daddy love you more than there are stars in the sky.

Tonight we are having a pizza dinner followed by oodles of cake which I am sure I will do an entire post on. ;]