Dear Kennedy... on your 2nd Birthday

Okay, I promise this will be my last post regarding Kennedy's 2nd birthday! As an eternal lover of natural, candid photographs, I even surprised myself when I took Kennedy to good 'ol JcPenney for a few studio portraits. I decided I should at least get a few studio shots of her but to be honest, I didn't have high expectations. I envisioned cheesy backgrounds and the cliched photos of my own youth. Sorry, Mom, but do I need to bring up the infamous studio shots taken at Christmas when I was 7? Lets just say, we both gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "big hair."

To avoid the previously mentioned "cheesy background" I asked the photographer to stick to black and white backgrounds and I was actually really surprised at how cute they turned out! Kennedy was a bit nervous but eventually warmed up and appropriately "hammed it up" for the camera as only our girl can do!

Kennedy had her two-year check-up this past week. She continues to be in the 5th percentile for weight (22.6 lbs) and in the 10th-15th percentile for height (32 inches). As her daddy so accurately puts it... "she is small but mighty." Oh so true.

We are experiencing all kinds of "toddler-isms" with our girl. She is sweet and cuddly one moment and the next she is frustrated and mad because she can't get a shirt on her doll. She loves to give hugs to her little friends and cousins but for the most part, has no problem defending her territory and what is hers. Just ask her cousin Roderick who has taken a few hits and pushes from her! And so, we begin a bit of discipline with the occasional (okay, not that occasional) time-out. Many kids will get up from time-out but not Kennedy. She sits there and cries as if I have crushed her feelings beyond repair. I am hoping this sensitivity to getting in trouble will continue well into the teenage-years!

Four months ago, I sat down and wrote all the words that Kennedy knew. It totaled about 35 words. Now, I would say we have tripled that amount and she knows close to 100+ words. She is beginning to put many two and three word sentences together such as "I want nack (snack)", "here go Mama" (as she hands me something), "dadda go bye-bye," "sissy go home" (in reference to Rachael) and "kiddy so cute." I wouldn't say she is ahead of the curve in speech development but I do think she is right on and we are enjoying all the progress we see. More than anything, it is so fun to actually be able to talk to her and have her communicate her needs and wants back.

Though we aren't sure where she puts it all, this girl likes to eat. More accurately, she likes to snack which is making meal time a bit challenging as it is difficult to get her to eat a quality meal in one sitting. Our pediatrician says not to fight this and to just offer healthy snacks. He says snacks are important and that at this age, getting food in her belly is the most important thing. A few favorite foods include (but seem to change weekly) waffles, pasta, peas, green beans, cereal, and fruit of any kind. Oh yeah and "pop-pop" (popcorn) remains a twice weekly evening tradition.

Yes, Kennedy still has a pacifier and no, we haven't started potty training. All in good time... good mommy-motivated time.

We have four months left as a family of three. Four Months. I find myself trying to cherish this time. Once it passes, we can never go back. We won't want to because by then we will have fallen in love... again ... with another little girl. Nonetheless, I cherish these months of one-on-one time with our first-born, before she becomes a big sister.  Our precious girl who, two years ago, made us parents.

And now I return to a few candids...

Dear Kennedy, 

My wishes for you at two are no different than what they will be for you at forty-two. May you live a life of happiness and may it be filled with love and laughter. May you work hard and find success and appreciation in all you do. May you never take the small things for granted because they will be what truly make your life. May you understand the value of family, friends, and most importantly... yourself. Get an education, travel and enjoy good food. Make mistakes but learn from them and apologize if necessary.

And by the way, your dad wishes these things for you too, he just isn't a writer. :)

We love you Tinkie!

Mom