Being two.

Having a 2-year old little girl is lots of fun and I have to remind myself to remain positive. This one is "on-the-go" constantly. Although, I did discover she likes certain videos and particularly when watching one with her brothers, she sits on the couch next to them and can be still for more than 10 minutes at a time. She is full-blown into the terrible "2's". Although I've been through this before with the boys, it is still amazing to me how a child can change from sweet, loving baby into...well...a 2-year-old.

I am still surprised at the way toddlers are equipped, at such a young age, to develop completely on their own. So, I truly try to maintain my sense of humor (and sanity) by seeing her behavior in a new (and positive) light. For instance:

When she yells "No!" and points her little finger at me (she no doubt learned from me.) I feel relieved. Because I hope she maintains that perseverance right into her adult years, when her stubbornness will be called "determination."

When she colors on the walls or kitchen floor with crayons or a found marker, she's expressing her creativity and attention to details. She hopefully will learn the value of leaving her mark on the world.

When she dumps a whole box of cereal all over the floor (you'd think I'd learn to put the box away as soon as she is out of her highchair!) And when she hears me say "No!" by briefly turning to look at me, and then goes right back to what she was doing, she is showing her ability to follow through on a task. Ugh.

When I call her name and she immediately "sprints" in the other direction, she is listening to her own inner voice and hopefully refusing to become a conformist.

When she suddenly decides (or pre-meditated) to throw a tantrum right in the middle of a store, she is teaching me humility. Been through that a few times!

And when she stands on the kitchen table bare naked, refusing to get dressed (loves to also run around "free")...well, I try not to think the worst about that. So, I try not to take a moment for granted and not read too much into her "2" behavior, because I am remaining positive.

As for these two photos, I took them yesterday after trying on the "tutu" and she refused to take it off. Some day I am going to try and shoot some nice portraits (new camera off of automatic!)...but in the meantime, I need to savor these "Mommy, My TUUUUUTUUUUU!" moments!