Happy Birthday, Maelie!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Maelie!!!

Today, my baby turns TWO!!!!!  And, we couldn't be prouder of her.  We are planning a family party for her this Saturday, that will be a Wiggly good time, so, today, Daddy took the day off and we are planning to drive to Duluth to see the Aquarium.  Photos to come!  (I hope!)

But, in celebration of Maelie's birthday, I thought I'd run down some of Maelie's milestones:

*  She walks, runs, hops like a kangaroo, climbs, dances, jumps, swims in the tub, and is just all-around active.

*  Her speech has just BLOOMED in the past week.  She now repeats words and can say more than 50+ words.  Over 100 if you count her signed words, which she still does.  Her favorite word seems to be 'NO,' or, 'NOT.'  What a shocker for a toddler.  

*  She definitely has her own personality, and it's a strong one.  She knows her own mind.  I'm glad.  She's going to be a leader.  

*  Her favorite color is ret.  (red)  Or, at least it seems to be! 

*  She ADORES the Wiggles.  Especially the red one.  :)

*  She knows most of her letters, if not all.

*  She's been learning her numbers and knows almost all from 1 to 10.  Her favorite?  The numbers 8 and 9.  (I have no idea why).

*  She knows her colors, but can't say them all yet.  Ask her to point out any color, though, and she's got it.  

*  She knows her basic shapes...again, she doesn't say them, but points them out when asked.  

*  She still loves her books and we have no worries with letting her read her paper books by herself.  She does NOT rip pages and turns the pages very carefully.

*  Her favorite food is still chicken and she still dislikes sweets.  The only sweet things she'll eat are honey nut cheerios and her freeze dried yogurt drops.  She's also gotten to really like hot dogs.  But chicken is STILL her absolute number one favorite.  

*  She now likes to color and draw, and loves to draw stars, balloons, and the number 9 with my help.  She makes me proud how fast she has learned how to draw, though.

*  She still prefers trucks and noisy toys over dolls, but has been rocking her Ernie, Grover, and Elmo dolls lately, and singing Rock a Bye Baby to them.  She loves any toys that are educational.  

*  She LOVES balloons, LOVES her own crib, LOVES her Daddy, and I *think* she loves her Mommy.  :)

*  She is inquisitive, active, growing, learning, and taking in the world as fast as it presents itself to her.  She is such a precious, sweet, kind-hearted little girl that has not only her family, but the whole town smitten with her.  It has been a magical time with her so far, and we cannot wait to watch her next set of milestones unfold!!!!

Happy Birthday, Empress!!!!!  We love you.