Dah-bee, Dah-bee, Dah-bee

Two and Timid? Not anymore! Our shy baby has become a confident, spunky and outgoing little girl. When I picked her up from school last week, she opened the door from the play ground to the building and ran ahead of me laughing. Wait up, I called.

Living on a busy street means we have a lot of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks wizzing by with their sirens blaring. Reese used to run to me frightened and crying. I would always hug her and say it's ok, they are going to help someone. Then she evolved to coming to me and patting my shoulder saying it's ok Mommy. Now she says bye bye and I say thank you for helping.

Last week, she blew me away every day. On Monday she wanted me to open her mini m&m's. I was having a hard time getting the wrapper off the tube, so she pointed to the scissors and said scissors Mommy. When I handed her the m&m's she gave the a sweet and sincere Thank you Mommy!

On Tuesday, Debbie came over and she and Reese had the best time! A year ago she was so shy and timid when anyone came over to visit. Before the night was over Reese was yelling Debbie, Debbie, Debbie (pronounced Dah-bee) for more attention, coloring and tickling.




One morning this week when I tried to put her tennis shoes on, she said No Nike's...shoes. Do you want your flats, I asked her. Yes, she replied.

One afternoon this week when we got home from school she climbed out of her car seat and said I do it. Those words are becoming familiar and are welcome by us. I am glad she is taking initiative and becoming a little independent girl. So goes this new found independence. No soup...waffles and on and on. She hasn't started picking out her own clothes, but I am sure it is only a matter of time.

With all of these new words and while still working out some of her communication skills she is going through a biting phase. Ouch! She has bitten a child three times at school. I, of course, feel terrible, but her teacher assures me it is normal. They are keeping a close eye on her to try and intervene if it appears she may bite again. Ms. Yolanda says Reese likes her personal space and is also learning to control her emotions. It seems she is biting when someone is trying to take something from her. She is using her words saying My turn, Mine but also gets angry quickly and if she doesn't get her way she bites.

Back to the cutsie stuff...Reese asked me to unzip my boots so she could wear them.




Think we need a hair cut yet? I'm thinking Yes! Don't get me wrong, I am so glad her hair is growing! It just may need some trimming.




Tonight she asked me to push her in the basket. Go go she said.

I have figured out Reese is doing more than I can document in this blog, but I will do my best to keep you posted.

A Dora Fiesta!

Reese loved her 2nd birthday party! Dora, yummy RJ Goodie cupcakes, bubbles, tons of clothes and a new tricycle were all a big hit! She understood it was all about her!

I knew I wanted to do a Dora themed party because Reese just loves Dora! Mom brought the balloons and exceeded my expectations with this Reese size balloon of Dora. Reese was in love.



So much that she would not put the bundle of balloons down for anything.



Not even a diaper change!



She hugged and kissed Dora and they laughed at each other.

We kept the party small like last year with family and a few friends (Debbie!).

Alyssa and Slaton came all the way from Abilene again.

Reese enjoyed lunch with the ladies.

MaMoo and Nita had a swell time at the party.

Aunt Lauren played "fort" with Reese and Slaton. She is so good with kids and will be a great mom one day.

Reese got the hang of opening her presents and tossing the tissue aside.

She even took the time to read her cards.

Uncle Chris gave her the cutest Polo sun hat!

One of the funniest moments was when Reese opened her bike helmet and quickly tossed it back in the bag not the least bit interested. It was like she was playing basketball and scored two points. I didn't get it on film, but trust me she has more skill than I ever had!

Slaton was very helpful!

Oh goodie, swimsuits to pair with her new sun hat.

Nita gave her a "Kisses" beanie baby. I was telling everyone it had Hershey kisses on it and Reese thought I was asking her to kiss it.

Reese loved cake time! She smiled big while we sang "Happy Birthday"!

And she blew out the candle all by herself!

Reese love love loved the cupcakes! I guess that answers my question about the gluten free I made for her school.

She ate cupcakes for the rest of the weekend asking me for "cupcake" after every meal.

She was so cute making funny faces at Nita.

Uncle Chris, Uncle Scott and Aunt Lauren.

Papa Joe and Grandma Pat.

Aunt Sharon and the boys!

The only family picture we managed to get all day.

Cousin Andy was there too.

Sharon and Nita spent the afternoon looking at Scott and Lauren's wedding photos.

While the kids played outside, blowing bubbles!

And walked to the park.

Reese wouldn't put the bubbles down either; guess how messy that was!

The party continued into the evening with pizza and more cupcakes.

The next morning, Reese was still obsessed with Dora!

The night before, Matt and Slaton put her tricylce together and we took it for a ride.

Reese loves to do pull ups like her Daddy.

After Alyssa and Slaton headed home, Matt took Reese to visit Grandma Pat and Grandpa Joe. They visited the ducks at Meyer Park.

Potty Time! One of her gifts was a potty, pull-ups and book about potty practice. I read the first step is to let her sit on the potty with her clothes on. Then try bare bottom in a week or so. I hope it is a good sign that she wanted to sit on the potty twice last night. We also read her potty book before bedtime.

I got bubbles!!!