Tina and I were talking a few weeks ago and realized that Ali was pretty much done with the terrible two’s. While she still has moments and continues to test us, and will for the rest of her life, she has really become a polite little girl. A few months ago she was a pain and we could not take her out to dinner or any where..something we had done since she was a baby. She could become cranky and moody at the blink of an eye…for no reason and then the tears would flow. She became a challenge for the first time since she was a newborn…we had been very spoiled. Don’t forget the attitude. It was a hassle just to get her to go to the bathroom, get dressed or to just put her coat on. She would cry all morning because we did not pick the correct color socks. One day she was happy and easy going, the next day it would be a huge ordeal with lots of tears…and that was me. You just never knew what would set it off. The mornings could be stressful..what a way to start the day.

But they do grow up so fast. She still has those brief moments, but they are quickly followed by a big hug and kiss and an apology. She is a sweetie. She has become very polite and sweet, and she knows how to work that to her advantage. We can sit at a restaurant now and she eats her food…we no longer have to worry about rushing out before we finish. She still has trouble sitting down the entire time, but she is getting better…she is two. She is also very friendly with the waitresses. Tina and I can have brief conversations while she eats or colors. If she does not have her crayons when we are seated, she asks the waitress for them and waits patiently. She no longer throws tantrums at stores, but has begun wanting everything she sees. She actually wants to sit in the shopping cart and we do not have to chase her around. Oh the shopping cart...just seeing one a few months ago meant a meltdown. She did not want to suit in the cart.

She uses that cute smile and look to try to get things, especially candy. She will sit in your lap and look into your eyes and say “Please Daddy”. I do give in at times, but I do say no a lot and that is tough especially when she would get upset. But more and more she just accepts it and lets it go until about 10 minutes later when she asks again. Either she forgets or she thinks I am not that smart and have forgotten…she is probably right. What was I writing about again?

She is growing up and is very independent. She wants to do everything for herself especially getting dressed. She wants to pick out the outfit and put it on. If you pick out the wrong thing, she says no and goes into the closet and starts pointing at things. She knows what she wants. I am in so much trouble as she gets older. She goes to the bathroom all by herself now and usually wants us out of the bathroom. Then she climbs up her stool and washes her hands. She also wants to help make breakfast and pour her milk and juice in her cup. I still get nervous, but she is very good at it. She does not want our help with the car seat either. She climbs up herself and clicks it together. She just wants to help and it makes her feel big. When she is done with whatever she is doing, she struts around shouting: “I am a big girl now.” Yes she is…I love this stage she is in, but I was looking at pictures the other day from just a year ago…I can’t believe how much she has changed in one year. Actually it is scary.