Dear Makayla

Dear Makayla,
Another year has come and gone, and it is time to write you another birthday letter.  This year has been SO much fun with you.  It has been amazing to see how fast you have learned new skills and words- and so so enjoyable to see your little personality come out.  You are passionate. So passionate that lots of times I have to carry you out (of the store, from a friend's house, in from a walk) kicking and screaming.  I hope you keep that passion and fight for what you want.  You are a quick learner and have a great memory.  You LOVE puppies.  When we are out on out walks you look for puppies and when we meet one on our path you get so excited and say "Cute ____ (whatever color it is) puppy!!" It is sweet. You do however, get scared when they bark and come running towards me. Also sweet. :)  You LOVE jumping.  You jump on the couch, you jump around the house, you jump on the beds, you jump on our walks, and you REALLY jump at the gymnastics gym.  You could bounce on that trampoline for hours.  You LOVE to "cala" (color) and "painting."  You are really coordinated with those crayons and that paint brush- and you are actually getting good at staying in the lines. You are becoming quite the artist.  You LOVE to "helpme"- I always ask you if you want to help me in the kitchen- so it has become a one word verb- and you now say "I want helpme"- so I set you up on the counter and you are my little helper- cracking eggs, holder the mixer, pouring in this and that.  I love having your help. You LOVE Jack.  Every morning I bring Jack out and you say: "HI JACK!! I SEE YOU JACK!" and come put your head against his. So sweet. Sometimes- when Jack has my attention and you want it- you get upset and start yelling- "All DONE JACK! ALL DONE JACK!" It is not cute now... but maybe it will be someday. :) Where Jack is, you are.  If I am changing his diaper, you are right there, climbing up the changer, if he is on his play mat- so are you, in his crib? No problem- you are a monkey and climb right in. Speaking of monkey- it has become quite the task to keep you in a bed! We have resorted to turning your crib around so that the lower side is against the wall-- so far you haven't been able to get out  yet. You aren't the biggest fan of your car seat. Sometimes you don't mind it- other times you throw some really awesome fits and we wish we had never left the house.  You still LOVE swinging at the park, you are getting good at riding your little purple bike, you are super active and don't sit still for long. You LOVE playing with friends (esp. Ava- "Ababa"), play dough, and puzzles. You are also really into trying other people's things on.  You might have thrown a fit today because you wanted to try on Ava's panties. :) If you see someone with fancy shoes on, you will want to "TRY" them on too! (I don't blame ya!)  You are starting to be particular about what you wear, so your outfits are becoming more and more interesting. :) You like to put your own shoes on and once and you proudly announce- "ta-da." You like to be a koala when we hold you- you tighten your little legs and arms around our waist and say "koala!"- so cute.
You have also started laughing A LOT and finding things very FUNNY- you will crack up and say "funny!!"- all grown up like. On the other hand, you have also started to be "shy"....this mostly happens around boys- teenage boys to be specific.  You will look at them- try to hold back your smile and say "shy!" as you hide your face.  It makes me laugh every time.
Your little vocabulary increases everyday- and it is so much fun to talk to you.  I look forward to the conversations to come.
Makayla, you bring so much joy into our home.  You keep us on our toes, you keep us humble,  you keep us busy, and tired, but you keep us laughing and smiling.  Happy Birthday sweet one.  You are one special little two year old!!
Love Forever,
Mom and Dad