bigger, faster, stronger, smarter

This weekend we were happy to help Aanya celebrate her second birthday! These girls are growing up so fast, it's scary! They are smarter than ever. More courageous and bold. And they are developing a sense of self that we all take for granted in ourselves, but it is amazing to watch it grow in these little ones.
Natalie really loves Aanya. She followed her all over the little gym, where the birthday party was held.


Along with everything else, Natalie is developing a real sense of humor. She loves imitating other kids, and thinks she's so funny. Just like her daddy. I'm going to have my hands full when this little ham really comes into her own.
How cute are all these little ones sitting at the table all by themselves!?


Natalie is doing so many interesting things lately. They really reveal that her little brain is working hard. She feeds all her stuffed animals and animal toys. She also has been asking me to put diapers on them, and telling me when they need to use the potty. She's becoming quiet a little flirt, and loves smiling at people at the grocery store, if they give her the least bit of encouragement. She also has a very good memory. She remembers people, and what we did with them... for example, she points to pictures we painted with the girl across the street and she says "paint, Maddy." Or remembers our dinner guest who she was scaring with her little "boo"s, and she says "boo. Justin" and points to the chair where he was sitting.

She is also beginning to show some conversational skills. She'll say "bless you" when you sneeze, and "please" and "thank you", and "bye, bye". And she talks to me from the back seat of the car, telling me about what is in her book, or what she sees around her, "Horse, hungy, hay", "truck", "doggie", "blankie", "jacket", and "yoga mat".

And when you ask her how old she is she holds up a finger and says "one". After that Natalie will usually say "Aanya, two!"

Happy birthday Aanya! We had a great time!