Aubrey at Age 2

You know you're not taking enough pictures of your precious children when the only recent one you have of just your two year old is one in which she's wearing nothing but her pajama top and a pair of underwear.

At two years of age, Aubrey weighs 28 pounds and is 35 inches tall, putting her in the 75th percentile for both weight and height.

Here's a little bit about our "sweetie" (her nickname):
- She's just about potty trained. I still can't say we're totally there.
- In one word, she is "FUN." She is absolutely hilarious with her dare-devil personality (she'll try anything), deep voice and and no-nonsense approach to life.
- She climbs everything.
- She is super polite. I almost never have to remind her to say, "please," "thank you," "excuse me," etc.
- Her vocabulary is impressive for a girl her age. If you want to be entertained all you have to do is sit down and have a conversation with Aubrey. I'm continually taken off guard by the words that come out of her mouth and her level of understanding.
- She is a great mother to her baby dolls.
- She is a daddy's girl.
- She loves books!
- She's a great eater and will try just about anything.
- When she wants something she doesn't give up easily. This is frustrating to me now but I know will be a good quality in the future.
- She is a "go-getter" and has a take charge personality.
- She is SILLY. Between her quick comments and goofy facial expressions she makes everyone laugh.
- She is super independent and wants to do everything all by herself.
- She is pure sweetness. She lives up to her nickname, "sweetie."
- My dad tells me often that Aubrey reminds him of me at her age. He says we're just alike. I love that.
Does it sound like I'm bragging? I'm sorry if it does. I'm a proud mommy. But let me share some of the not-so-pretty things too.
Without a doubt Aubrey gives me moments of stress and frustration. When she follows me in the store screaming at the top of her lungs because I won't carry her baby doll when we had already agreed that she could only bring it in if she carried it by herself, I feel like screaming. When she knocks over a mannequin in the mall and breaks off both of its arms, I shake my head. When she approaches a boy in the portrait studio and demands that he sit down even though he's standing quietly with his mother, I get a little embarrassed. When she doesn't feel like talking and a stranger asks her her name and she replies, "me" I sigh. And when she's overly tired and cannot get control of herself and throws the world's biggest fit I feel exasperated. But would I change her or trade her? NO WAY! I love and accept this daughter of mine as she is, but I will pray for her. I pray for her salvation and I am hopeful about what God can do with her life. I trust and I pray he'll perform a good work in her.
Every bit of stress is worth it. I love being her Mommy. And after a big fit when she takes a deep breath and says, "I'm happy now, Mama. Will you rock me?" I quickly oblige. These days are passing too quickly. I don't want to wish them away.