Morgan Kate

Today my girl is two and a half. Two years and six months. Thirty months. It doesn't matter which way you say it, it makes me sad. 


Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled that she is growing and changing and learning so much each and every day. I love that her legs are getting longer and her hair is finally beginning to fill in. Beginning being the keyword there. I love that she can climb onto our bed without any help. I love that she can sit in a big girl chair and finally see above the table. I love that she knows exactly what I'm talking about and she understands why her daddy and I laugh so much. It melts my heart to hear her talk and I could listen to her for hours as she tells us about her day. It makes me smile to hear her talk about her friends and name each and every one. And even though I would love for her to run to me every afternoon with big, open arms - it truly does mean the world to me that she doesn't want to leave and that she cries for "Wobbi". I love that she's old enough to recognize vehicles and she knows which truck belongs to Gator and which belongs to Owens. It makes me laugh out loud that she thinks every article of clothing and every toy in our house was given to her by her Kaka. (She's mostly right.) It warms my heart that she thinks every baby is "Hunter". And it brings tears to my eyes when Travis tells her that he loves her and she says, "I love you back, Daddy". 


She's doing so much at two and a half years old. She is talking in sentences and even asking questions. No, it's not perfect speech and a lot of it is hard to understand, but I'm her mommy and I GET it. I know what she's saying and what she wants. (Most of the time, anyway.) She's kicking and throwing balls and climbing on every thing in sight. She's dancing and singing and humming. She can hear a song once, maybe twice, and then hum the entire song. A-mazing. She can put on her pants and tries so hard to put on her shirt. She can put on her shoes and her jacket and even tells me which shoes she will and will not wear. Such a girl. She's using the potty a little. Very little. We've had the potty for two months and she has "pee-peed" in the potty twice now. The second time being tonight. At this rate we are averaging once a month. And I'll take it. She's now beginning to wear 24 month and 2T clothes. Size 4 diaper and size 5 shoe. She asks to wear bows in her hair and likes to wear socks. She loves her "jammies" and loves to play dress up. She doesn't like to be cold and she doesn't like getting up early. (So my child.) She doesn't like for the sun to be in her eyes and will say, "Sun bright momma". She finally refers to me as "momma" and not "Bobby". She loves to see the "schoo buh" (school bus) each morning and even asks to go to "schoo". She enjoys playing outside and coloring. And she loves watching the Fresh Beat Band and Dora. She LOVES cupcakes and asks for them frequently. She gets up at night about once a week and comes to bed with us. (We love it.) She still sleeps in her crib and she still gets a nighttime bottle. And I could care less. I love it. She can say "A, B, C, D, E" then we skip a few and then all of a sudden there is "Z". Some days she can count to three, some days five and some days we go straight from one to five. She knows she is two and will tell you, sometimes. And she's starting preschool in the fall. Yes, preschool in the fall. 


And I'm sad. I'm sad she's growing so fast. I'm sad she's no longer technically a "baby". I'm sad that everything seems to be flying by. I just want it to slow down. I want to remember to savor every moment and soak up every second with her. I'm sad that my time with her during the week is so limited. It makes me sad to think back to my stay-at-home days and think about how our time together has changed so much. I know it's silly and foolish and ridiculous, but I'm still sad. 


I love the big, sweet girl she is becoming. I do. I love her confidence and independent attitude. I love her courage and demeanor. She makes me so proud to be her mommy. But I want it to all slow down and I want to remind myself every chance I get to just enjoy it. To enjoy every single second. 


Happy half birthday, my sweet girl! I love you so much and I am so very proud to be your mommy. You are one special, special girl!