Eleanor turns 2

2 best years of my life. Hands down. This is why:

She says "HI!!" so enthusiastically.
Reads books to herself - is starting to memorize them.

Was totally potty trained for a week, then gave up.

Loves to run.

Has to have outside play time every single day.

Loves popsicles.
Mickey Mouse, Up, Backyardigans, Little Einsteins, Super Why, Word World are her favorite shows.
Jumps on couch/bed, and prefers to have someone watch her do it.

Likes to hide under the blankets.

If i'm talking to someone, she'll grab my face with both hands, turn towards her, and tell me something very important.

Loves nursery - is so sweet to the other kids - getting in their face and saying "HI!" or standing by them and holding their hand.

Has to have ALL her animals/babies in crib at night

Likes her water cold. More specifically, with ice.

When i tell her i love her, she responds with "TOO!", but holds up two fingers. She also just learned to sign it on her own after working so hard to do so.

Still loves dogs - is getting braver around them.

Loves to do fun things, but once it's time to stop, she throws MAJOR tantrum.

Tries to control her anger - but sometimes hits herself - or hurts herself. Sometimes throws herself to the floor and just lays while she breathes it out.

Counts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10

Can say all of the letters, and spots letters everywhere we go. She'll start spouting them out.
Loves when i do "this little piggy" to her toes.

Warms up to friends/family/visitors quickly.

Starting to bring me clothes she wants to wear.

Easily bribed - can get her to eat anything with a bribe.

Loves to color/draw/paint/play dough - is pretty good at drawing an "o".

Tickles us on bare skin - arm, neck, and especially belly.
My favorites: "oh nooo" "yeah, do!" "

Tickles other people - and most of the time they don't pretend laugh like her parents do.
Often says(and sometimes sings) "mamadaddymamadaddy" while walking around the house, playing with toys, etc. She must love us. She also identifies a lot of things with a mama, daddy, and eleanor (leaves, pumpkins, balloons, etc).
Loves when we're all together as a family - family hugs.
In a smothering stage - if I am in the same room as her and sitting down, she has to be on top of me and crawling all over me. It gets exhausting!
Favorite songs: row row row your boat, head shoulders knees and toes, john jacob jingleheimerschmidt(sp?)
When the car stops, she'll yell "GO!" or start patting her legs like Little Einsteins to make it go.
She's getting better at sharing, and when she does, she'll follow it up with a loud "thank you!"
I bought her an alphabet puzzle because I wanted one that would challenge her a little. I thought it'd be too hard for her, but after 3 times of doing it with help, she mastered it.
Always asks for her pink shoes.
Will randomly want to play ring around the rosie - out on walks, shopping, etc.
She now smacks her lips when she kisses.
She loves to be chased and captured.

She is simply beautiful. Her hair is often a mess because she hates to have it done and refuses to keep bows in, but she is still beautiful.
Eleanor is sweet, smart, and downright lovable. She is pure joy. From the moment she wakes up(which means we wake up) she brings a smile to our faces that lasts the entire day(minus the few tantrums). Eleanor, you're the best. Seriously. The very very best.