Alex updates

Alexandra is growing up so fast.  She will be turning 2 next week, and I am absolutely loving this age! I mean, yes, she is extremely difficult and willful and throws temper tantrums like any 2 year old out there.  But maybe it is because she has always been a strong-willed child, it isn't much of a shock to have a little more of that behavior thrown into the mix.  I think what I love about this age is seeing her personality come out more and more.  We love all of the new words and expressions she uses.  It is amazing how quickly she learns things.  I have heard the expression, 'an explosion of words,' and it is so true! She says so many new words each and every day.

Some of our favorite things that she does or says lately:

She says "OKAY!" instead of saying yes to things.  It's kind of strange.  She will ask for something that she wants (like an M&M) and if we clarify, and ask, "Do you want an M&M?" she responds with "OK!"  As if we are the ones who brought it up in the first place!!  She uses different intonations and levels of enthusiasm depending on how she feels about the question.  If we ask, "Do you need a nap?" she will say really slowly, "okkkaaaayyy" in a soft reluctant voice.  If we ask, "Do you want to go play at the park?" she will say "O!!! K!!!!"

Her new obsession is climbing onto the barstools and sitting at the kitchen island.  Of course I don't want her climbing on them unless I am sitting with her because I'm afraid she will kick off the island and fall off said barstool and break her neck.  So as she was crawling onto one, I said, "No, get down from there.  You don't need to be up on the barstool, you already finished your breakfast."  She looked me straight in the face and said, "No! I DO need to be on it!"  I couldn't stop laughing (to myself) at what a complex sentence she put together!

As we were leaving the house the other day, she looked over her shoulder at the dogs and said, "BYE BYE guys! See you in the morning!" We have no idea where she learned that expression.  So funny, and such a long string of words for a 23 month old to put together!

We are going to skip the big fancy birthday party this year for Alex and instead we are taking her to Sea World next weekend.  She is a bit obsessed with FISHIES!! lately.  One of her favorite movies is Finding Nemo, so we are really excited to see her reaction to some real fishies (and whales, turtles and penguins)!  It will be our first trip with Kathryn, and we also have both sets of grandparents coming along too, so it should be a great trip!