2 1/2 Years

Well, this is a bit late but better late than never.  

Hannah was 2 1/2 years old on June 22.  And yet again, time is flying by!!!  I can't believe she is 30 months old already.  And there is no change in the full of life, independent, happy spirit that encompasses Hannah.  We love our HannahBean!

*Hannah's schedule is rather set since it's summertime.  She goes to bed between 8-9 depending on our activities and she'll get up also between 8-9.  Hannah's afternoon nap is anywhere from an hour to 3 hours.  I really like the 3 hour days although they are few and far between.  

*Stats: I haven't weighed her lately but the last time I did she was at least 33 pounds; I have no idea how tall she is although it's tall.  When people learn how old she is we always get a comment about how tall she is for her age.  Hannah is wearing 3T and some 4T clothes.  Hannah's hair is in ringlets especially when it's really humid.  We have to use a detangling spray on it in the bathtub otherwise we can't comb it out.

*Hannah knows when it's meal time and is not afraid to let us know it.  She loves to eat although it's definitely not as much as in the past.  She also has strong opinions about what she'll eat and what she won't touch.  Pork is by far her favorite meat although she doesn't eat meat too well.  Cheese, cheese, cheese!  No meal is complete without it.  Strawberries, corn on the cob, green beans, spaghetti, peanut butter and chips are all big favorites.  She also just recently started asking for Chic a lay (Chick-Fil-A)--not sure how I feel about that.

*The last few weeks she's been a big time mama's girl which is a switch.  It seems like she goes in phases with me/women and Troy/men.  This one seems to be a strong one in my favor.  I enjoy it but at the same time it's so hard when it's Troy's turn for helping her with bed, potty, etc.

*Speaking of potty--we started potty training on the 24th.  So far, Hannah is doing awesome!  Of course we've had a few accidents but she's really understanding the concept.  We're setting a timer and asking her constantly if she needs to go.  And she's started telling us more consistently when she needs to go.  We're still working on #2 and she's definitely still wearing a diaper overnight and at nap time but she is SO far ahead of LJ it amazes me.

*About a month ago, Hannah started talking about being pretty--she wanted to be pretty when she got dressed in the morning.  She would tell anyone she knew that she was pretty.

"I pretty; I pretty."

Last week, I hadn't taken a shower before getting her out of bed so I just had a t-shirt and yoga pants on.  When she saw me, she said, "Mommy not pretty today."  Ha!!!  Oh man, did I laugh.  So the last few days, I've been asking her if I'm pretty or not today.  The answers have varied but she is always pretty :)

*Hannah is really enjoying the pool.  She was hesitant at first but now she'll climb right in once she has her floatie on.  She doesn't like to go underwater yet but she been working on blowing bubbles lately.  We had some private swim lessons at the end of June and that helped a bunch.  She is an expert at shooting her water gun though!  She needs some defense against Luke and Troy.

*Riding her bike is also a favorite--just being outside in any form really is the best place to be.

*Hannah loves Legos.  She is very adept at sorting the pieces and using the flat pieces to make "pictures" and making towers.  Much to Luke's dismay, she is also very good at taking creations apart.

*Hannah also loves purses.  She has one purse that she carries with her everywhere.  It has no less than 4 phones and probably 10-15 bracelets along with some keys and various random items she picks up.

*We randomly hear Hannah break out in song.  Some of them are understandable, ABC song; Twinkle, Twinkle; Hammer, Hammer, Hammer; and some she makes up depending on her current activity.  She has a new one for sitting on the potty--pretty cute!

*Her counting is most often still 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 but 4, 5, and 6 make it in there occasionally.  

*Hannah loves to draw, color and paint.  Hooray!!!

*We are able to understand almost all of what Hannah says unless she's in a big hurry.  She is using full sentences and more often it seems that she talks in paragraphs.  We haven't hit a major why? phase yet which is surprising to me (I probably just jinxed it).  

*Hannah loves to play with Luke.  Most often they get along really well.  Hannah often asks Luke to help her fix dinner in the pretend kitchen.  One of the sweetest things they do together is lay on their tummy's while watching a show.

*Miss Independent also is insisting on buckling her carseat by herself.  She refuses any help on the stairs--makes me nervous.  And she's getting a little more freedom in playing upstairs without a parent around.

*Books have also become more desirable over the last few months.  She will often find some books and sit alone to "read" them.  Her favorites that we read include: Goodnight Moon; Big Red Barn; Brown Bear, Brown Bear; the Llama Llama books; Potty Train; and Curious George books.

*Current nicknames: HannahBean, Sugar Bean, Sweetie (most often from LJ)

*Bedtime routine: brush teeth, potty, put on diaper (with tape so she won't take it off) and pj's, read stories, rock and sing Frere Jacques.  I've really been enjoying the rocking and singing lately.  She snuggles into my shoulder and just lets me hug her tight.