On Sunday, Annie hit the half-way point for her year. She’s now two and a half. Two and a half!!!
weight: 32 pounds 4 ounces
height: 37 inches
head: 20.25 inches
hair: long and luscious
(month one, month two, month three, month four, month five, month six, month seven, month eight, month nine, month ten, month eleven, month twelve, month fifteen, month eighteen, month twenty four)
I was looking at the last monthly update, and I am just rocked by how different she is in only six months. She speaks in full sentences and has full conversations with us. She’s always talking, or singing, or moving. To get from Point A to Point B, she runs. She tells jokes. She knows the words to her favorite songs. She even makes up her own songs. She is awesome.
My favorite new development is the role-playing, as Mike mentioned yesterday. Sometimes she assigns us character names we’ve all heard of, and other times she gives jobs like doctor, mommy, or baseball player. “Mama, you are da cook.” “OK Annie, where’s my stove?” “Mama, use your magic-nation!” Magic-nation = imagination.
She is also flexing her independence more than ever. She can be very stubborn. Independent + stubborn = crazy mama. Luckily, the very threat of a time out is enough to make her simmer down. I’ll enjoy that while it lasts.
As she grows taller, I’m starting to think she might literally outgrow her crib before she ever realizes she can climb out of it. I’m okay with her never discovering that skill, but converting her crib into a regular bed is going to be the second-to-last straw of her babyhood. The last straw will be potty-training, which I fear I can no longer say she is too young for. I just have to mentally prepare. UGH.
I just want to bottle her up and keep her my baby forever.
Becca_Masters says:
It is the strangest sensation to have followed your pregnancy, Annie’s birth and now she is 2 and a half! I will probably cry at her first day of school photo! She’s such a treasured part of my life, thank you for sharing your wonderful children with me Heather and Mike.
Kayla says:
Ah, I didn’t see this comment at first but I couldn’t agree more! I have tears in my eyes just thinking about the whole thing. Thank you Spohrs for sharing your two beautiful daughters with us humble internet strangers!
Bianca P says:
She has such amazing hair!! And what a beautiful natural tan. She’s going to be a heartbreaker!!
Elizabeth says:
So cute! It’s hard to believe she’s 2 1/2. I’m sure the time has flown by for you guys too.
And brace yourself about the independence; my daughter is almost 4(!) and she has to do everything herself.
TonyaM says:
The cuteness of that second picture is nearly more than I can take!!!
Amanda says:
My last baby turned 3 in June so I can definitely relate to wanting to slow everything down and make it all last longer……with one exception, the potty training. Believe me, you will not be sorry when the diapers are gone. I got sentimental over the crib, the bottles, and especially the pacifier (which for us was the last thing to go) but not one moment of regret over not having to change those stinky 2 year old diapers.
Nellie says:
Ohh, Happy Half Birthday, Annabel! She is absolute PERFECTION – from head to toe and heart to soul!
It’s clear she’s absolutely loving life and enjoying it with all her being!
And those pictures…phenomenal!!
Lanie says:
Happy 30 months Annie! I love your “magic nation”
Jan says:
Beautiful Annabel! She may be two and a half, but her awesome hair is twelve years old!!
Suzanne says:
Happy half birthday! And you are right, as far as potty training. *You* have to be mentally ready for it more than Annie. When you say, “This is it, we’re going potty from now on,” you have to stick with it and Annie will get it very quickly. Good luck!
Skye says:
Happy half birthday, Annie! (Did she demand cake?)
Rebecca says:
Annie has the best hair. Those soft curls that look like velvet. She is a doll and don’t worry about the crib thing. If she’s not crawling out and not potty trained she can stay in it forever. My daughter was in a crib until she was about 3 1/2 (I think?).
Megan says:
Happy half birthday, Annie!
Be sure to check out the 3 Day Potty Training strategy when you’re ready to start Annie. I work at a daycare and it’s what we recommend to the parents – it seriously works!
Jane says:
LMK when you’re ready to tackle potty training. I’ll send you a life-saver and it’ll be done in 3 days. Guaranteed. You must have wine stocked up though b/c you can’t leave the house for 3 days, and you’re gonna need a sip of sanity!
Dawn @What's Around the Next Bend? says:
I love the last pic… That truly shows the energy of Annie coming through
Denise says:
Happy 3oth Annie! Wait…what?
Happy 2.5!
That sounds better.
Denise says:
Pretty sure I meant to type 30th. I should not be online without coffee.
Kirsten says:
Potty training is no picnic. I don’t know if it’s easier at home one on one with a child, or in a school environment where all the 2-3 year olds (kids turning 3 within the year) potty train at the same time.
I’m a teacher, and I’ve done my fair share of potty training. At the beginning, keep the potty in every room that Annie is playing in. While she’s getting used to pinching those muscles, she’s not going to be able to run all the way to the bathroom. The fewer accidents she has, because of an accessible potty, the better her self-esteem is going to be and the more she’s going to believe that she can do it. (Also, from experience, little girls get very upset when they pee on their princess panties, so in the beginning, maybe use fairly plain panties. Little boys have the same problem with Ben 10 and Spiderman).
Good luck! It’s going to save you a fortune when you’re done!
Meg says:
Look at your lovely girl. I can’t believe she’s two and a half, either! What a joy she is. Love that she encourages you to use your “magic-nation,” too.
aqua6 says:
As soon as our daughter turned 3, she was ready to toilet-train, as were most of her friends. It did turn out to only take a few days, after trying a few months before with little success. I think as long as she fits in the crib, she probably feels cozy in there so just keep her there until she’s ready for a bed!
Kayla says:
I am blown away that your girl is two and a half years old…my god, where did the time go you guys?
And her hair? Uh-mazing. There are women the world over who would KILL for her locks!! Oh, and that second to last picture? I die at how enormously grown-up she looks. I. Die!
Also also, I looked back at her twenty-four month green chair session just to really see how much she’s changed in six months, and uh, you guys, she hasn’t changed that much – in one of the photos in that session she’s doing the exact same pose she is now! With the fingers to the cheeks!! I couldn’t believe that!
Ah Annie, please stay little a little bit longer. None of us, least of all your parents are ready for you to grow up!
Belle says:
Annie is simply beautiful.
janette says:
Girl does have some gorgeous hair. My oldest is almost 5 and its amazing how quickly he’s grown, and how he continues to change right before my eyes. He’s stil my baby. Even when they’re teenagers and driving us crazy, they’ll still be our babies.
Jackie S. says:
I have three “babies”- they’re 8, 10, and 17 years old. I can still visualize my 17 year old at Annie’s age. He will GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL next year!!! I seriously wonder all the time- where did the time go? People tell you all the time to enjoy them while they’re little. I never understood the true significance of that statement until when he’s readying to leave!
Jackie
Sharee says:
Uggghh…potty training. M y baby’s only 7 months old and I’m already dreading it. I’m suprised my oldest daughter is potty trained and she’s 11. I was awful. My second daughter was actually really easy. I googled 3 day potty training after someone suggested it to me and it actually worked. Who knew? Annie is really super adorable.
Sharee says:
That I was awful should have been it. Oops. I’m not actually that bad.
Aubrey says:
She is so beautiful. I am totally jealous of her hair. I am still working on the potty training thing with my 4year old. Not to discourage you or anything.
Also I read her saying “magic-nation’ as Spongebob in the imagination episode with the cardboard box.