Annie Turns TWO!

On April 15, our sweet little girl officially finished her 2nd year of life and "entered" into the terrible twos! I feel bad calling the whole stage "terrible" because there are absolutely lots of joys with having a two year old, but there are certainly challenges too! Thankfully, (almost) every tantrum is balanced with a precious smile or hug, screams of "my do it myself" lead to new discoveries and accomplishments, and her mighty strength, speed, and defiance allow her to be a confident and fearless toddler girl. And there is hope for an end to her torturing her big brother, right?

Annabeth Cate, we love you!

The morning of her birthday, we got a few pictures of her in the front yard with our newly-planted flowers.



That night, she requested Daddy's pancakes and eggs as her birthday dinner. And our tutu-wearing girl got a basketball goal!



School pictures were taken a few weeks before Annie's birthday, but we got the files right around her special day. This may be one of the greatest school pics I have ever seen!



And some fun facts about our two year old:
Stats: 29 pounds, 34 1/2 inches
Likes to wear: Crocs or fancy shoes, shorts and t-shirts or tutus
Likes to eat: This changes almost daily, but constants are grapes, blueberries, pizza, chicken nuggets from Chick Fil A, fruit snacks, Nana's mac and cheese, squeezies, vitamins, and tortillas with queso. Annie just recently decided she likes sweet treats and tries to sneak them off the refreshment table at church when we aren't looking.
Likes to play with: (for about 30 seconds at a time): babies, blocks, bubbles, stickers, books, choosing songs on the phone, drawing (will focus longer if she can extend her canvas to a wall or furniture), and anything Cade is currently using.
Likes to go: to school, playgrounds, anyone's car other than Mama's, Target (my daughter, my pride and joy!), on bumpy roads, on a puddle walk, to feed ducks, to Mama and Daddy's offices, jump on the trampoline, Cade's "ay-ah" (karate) and church.
Likes to be with: Mama, Daddy, Cade, grandparents, the Erskine family (Garrett, Vandi, and Neal), and her teachers and friends in the Ducks class (Annie transitioned out of the Ducks and into the Bumblebees class right after her birthday and is still adjusting to her new surroundings)



Does not like: change, being told what to do, being told to stop, Mama dropping her off in her new room at school, brushing teeth, eating vegetables or meat, losing her turn, wearing bows or headbands, being quiet, or sitting still.

There are times when Annie still seems like such a little one, like when she cries during the night and wants to be held for a little while, or when she asks for you to make the airplane noise and feed her yogurt. Other times, she already seems like such a little lady, like when she wants to put on fancy shoes to go somewhere or when she mothers her babies. In between all of this, we think she is just perfect and a wonderful addition to our little family.