Sunday, May 17, 2009

24 Month Checkup

Dear Katie,
    Happy 2nd Birthday!  This was not your cake.  You sort of got the shaft this year, celebration wise, but you were blissfully unaware and it was this complete and utter disregard for fanfare that we were counting on.  Thanks for letting us off easy this year.  Ponies and Bumper Cars next year.  I have been traveling up to Dublin Sunday nights til Thursday mornings the last four weeks to do an Irish Nursing Adaptation course at St. Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.  I have three more weeks to go and I will then be eligible for registration with the nursing board (finally... this process has taken most of your life).  This past week, Manus had to fly to Miami for an important meeting.  He left here Tuesday, took a bus to Dublin, stayed the night, flew out Wednesday morning and hauled butt back to make it home yesterday morning, just in time for your birthday.  Clearly this was not the week for us to plan and execute a party.

   Daddy saved the day though, bringing back some goodies from the Disney store in Miami.  So, you had gifts.  And you even had cake.  Albeit a slice of defrosted pound cake with a tub of chocolate mousse spread on top.  Again, you were a champ and ate every bit.  Thanks.
Nana and Papa came over to wish you a happy 2nd.  They brought gifts as well, from themselves and from Aunt Peig.  N and P got you your very own swing for the backyard.  Whenever it stops raining, she says, looking out through the rain-streaked window to the swamp that was our yard, Daddy will set it up.  The swings are your favorite (again) at the playground.  There was a phase you went through, not wanting anything to do with them, but that appears to be over now. 
Your talking has really exploded in the last two months.  I couldn't compile a list of words if I tried.  Every day there is a new one.  You repeat too much of what you hear - especially after mom spills water or stubs her toe.  Being gone half the week I am amazed when I return how much change happens so quickly.  Lots of words sound alike still, but you are getting clearer.  I taught you to say "Two" when asked yesterday how old you were.  So proud.  Then you proceeded to say that Daddy was two and Mommy was two and Nana.... oh well.  By three...
You know your farm animals, all the colors, and numbers 1,2,5 and 9.  Your favorite color is pink.  I even found some pink cookies for your birthday and yesterday you ate half the pack.  You have discovered TV.  Big Time.  Its all you want to do.  Watch Fifi, watch Barney, watch Turtle (a Baby Einstein video) and especially - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!  You sit, completely entranced.  Already it's tempting to let you just sit and watch.  I am trying really hard to limit your shows and to make it an educational experience.  Any day you are going to roll your eyes and tell me to chill out.  Nope.  I just got an armful of parenting books.  Look out.  You are fast on your way to becoming the most well-adjusted, happy, confident, intelligent, appreciative, goal-oriented kid in all of Kilkenny.  Or a sociopath.  
For whatever reason, you are afraid of Uncle Brian.  You even held his card at arm's length.  We have asked you why this is and you reply, "Brian; Shy."  Okay then.

Friday was the very first day you let me put your hair up in a pony tail.  With the lifting of your hair, I saw the transformation: 

Gone is my little baby.  You are now my little girl.



We love you so much,
Mommy and Daddy

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go Katie! Go Katie! It's your birthday! Crazy to believe she's two already! It seems like Trey and Colton were just two....time really does fly. Once you start with those pony parties, they expect them every year...I'm just sayin'..... Love an hugs to you all, Jess

Leslie said...

Happy birthday to youuuuuuu!
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuu!
Happy birthday dear Katieeeeeee!
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday Katie!!!

Kristy said...

Happy Birthday to sweet Katie!!! I have tears in my eyes right now...she is such a precious little girl! (Baby no longer? How can this be?!)

Lots of love to all of you!

Jenny Ludwig said...

Happy belated Birthday little child! I was in Japan later today. That's right, I come from the future! Love you! Cousin Jenny

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday to your little girl! BTW it took An Bord Altranais 22 months to process my RN license from California and only after I badgered them with registered letters. They finally cleared my license when my daughter was 6 weeks old-fabulous timing.

Good Job though on all your hard work!