Two!!

Mia just celebrated her second birthday and, boy...was she excited!! We had a

lovely party with many of her buds, Grandmas Grandpas and Aunties. It was a beautiful day

(one of the first after a LONG winter) and the love was definitely apparent. Gramma Linda put

on a fabulous song circle, complete with bubbles, and all the kids had a blast. We are SO

lucky to have her and can't wait to play this Summer.

At the age of two, Mia continues to be the light of her mama's life. I am so proud of her

and impressed with her ability to be thoughtful, loving, creative, smart, beautiful and unique.

She can be a quiet observer or a gregarious participant. She loves her family and loves to

read. She loves her cribby and LOVES her blankie. She is beginning to develop VERY clear

attitudes and ideas about how things should be and, occasionally, she gets upset if things don't

turn out the way she planned. People keep warning me about the "2s" for some reason I'm

not really sure what they're talking about, so I mostly just ignore it.

This is the part where I get to talk about all the things Mia is doing lately. As I've said before,

I am in awe of her. Here's why...

Mia is learning Spanish. We use bilingual books and we practice Spanish flash cards.

She is a natural. I teach her a word once or twice and she knows it. She is beginning to be able

to trill her rr (carro and perro), and she loves yelling "¡Adiós, amigos!" when we're saying

goodbye. She knows how to stress the second á in Mamá and Papá too! Mostly, we just

work on vocabulary words, but I try to incorporate some dialogue as well. It's fun for me

to hear her use Spanish words and it makes me excited to think about

trips to Mexico with her in the future. Finally...I won't have to do all the talking!

Easter was a blast. Mia got to dye Easter eggs, make Easter bread with mama, hunt for eggs,

dig into an Easter basket and eat...HAM! She loves it. She can't get enough. She is NOT,

however, a fan of hard boiled eggs. That much is clear. This Easter, Mia discovered a love

of Dove chocolate eggs. Can you blame her? She really enjoyed hunting for eggs and,

while she didn't totally get the "hot/cold" instructions, she found all of them with a little help

from her parents. It was so fun to really "do" Easter with her. I think it might just get better

every year. And by the way, mom, when you asked if you could finally stop doing Easter

baskets for Missy and me, I nearly fell over laughing so hard. Good joke. Really.

Mia loves music. Gramma Linda and Mia go the the library music class every Friday and we

spend a lot of time singing together. Mia has learned the words to dozens of

songs and she definitely has her faves. Here are a few of the ones she loves:

• Hello, Everybody (Mia's favorite! Not so much Mommy's, on the other hand)
• ABCs
• Baa Baa Black Sheep
• Baby Beluga
• Puff, the Magic Dragon
• The Bubble Song
• Biscuits in the Oven
• The Wheels on the Bus
• Anything by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (She likes to flash the horns to it in Daddy's car)
• Braham's Lullaby
• Itsy Bitsy Spider (and, of course, Huitzi Huitzi Araña)
• Twintle Twintle (still working on those Ks)
• The Hotey Potey (darn Ks again!)
• Old MacDonald
• Down by the Bay
• We're Going Down a Bumpy Road
• Weenie Man
• Two Little Blackbirds
• Walking Walking
• Aiken Drum (the Man in the Moon with hair of spaghetti)

Her favorite artists include Anne Murray, Peter Paul and Mary, Raffi, Marlo Thomas (Free to

Be You and Me) and Wee Sing (in the Car). It is a joy to hear Mia sing. She keeps the beat

by tapping her foot and loves to clap her hands. She knows the hand gestures that accompany

her favorite songs and, no matter where we go, she is drawn to the music. She particularly

likes to put the money in the tip jar at the Hillsdale Farmer's Market. Gramma insists that

she WILL have music training. Well, I'm not one to get in the way of Gramma, so, as I like to

say...Qué será será.

Mia has discovered Peter and the Wolf and Lemony Snickets, The Composer is Dead (on

the recommendation of Auntie Casey). We sit at the computer and read the book and

listen to the music and she is in heaven. She'll be able to identify the parts of the orchestra

before we know it. Not kidding. She can sit and listen to the entire album. She especially

loves the pictures of Peter (designed by U2 artist, Bono).

Mia's life with her dad is filled with fun. They go on long bike rides, visit the Portland Farmer's

Market, eat at the Pizza Store with David who makes Mia a special meatball every time,

feed the ducks and geese (who I've heard are a bit scary!) and play with play dough. They listen

to the Chili Peppers and read about Kimo, the Hawaiian surfer. Mia is thrilled to see her

Daddy and loves her time with him.

It's official! Mia goes pee-pee in the potty. And that first time (at 22 months) was a BIG deal. Little miss sparkly eyes followed her mama in to the bathroom, sat down and peed, just like that. I, of course, went absolutely nuts with excitement and told her how proud I was of her and called Gramma and her Daddy to share the good news. After it all happened, Mia kept repeating, "Proud of you. Proud of you." I knew it was just the beginning to potty training, but I'm so glad that Mia did it all on her own terms and timeline. She knew the potty was available.

She played with it for a few months, read books about it, thought about it. Then, she was ready.

Now, every time she goes in the potty, she gets to pick a sticker to put on a chart. After she goes, I say, "Mia, do you know what time it is?" and she yells, "Ticker time!" (still working on that S + Consonant). It's quite a milestone. We're not done with diapers yet but, I have a feeling that this Summer we'll be well on our way.

This Winter was a long one. The rain seemed to linger for ever and, the weather was still cold and unpredictable through June. June 3rd was our first 80 degree day of the year. Mia spent some good afternoons puddle stomping and talking about wanting to play outside. Of course, once we were out there, she would say, "Brrrr...it's chilly out!!" and we headed back in pretty quickly. Her current favorite outside games (when we catch a clear day) include riding her tricycle FAST down the driveway (with Mama in tow, of course--she still can't quite reach the pedals), picking up pine cones and leaves, riding in her wagon (also FAST), watching Reggie spaz out in the driveway, looking for Jakie, watching planes and "hoticoptors," raking the leaves out of the driveway drain, playing in the fountain, watching Mama scoop (and fling!) Reggie's poop, planting things in the garden, and identifying birds and flowers. Mia can now identify a daffodil, daphne, roses, lilacs, ferns, moss, camelias, tulips, hollyhocks, daisies and petunias. She can also identify crows, flickers, robins, hummingbirds, geese, swans and ducks. She now knows that when I say, "Mia, do you want to go work in the garden?" that it means that I'll be distracted by weeds and won't give her my full attention. She usually responds, quite simply..."no."

Mia had tubes placed in her ears in May after several ear infections. She has had an endless runny nose and cough that seemed to last all winter. The minute she felt better, she was knocked back down with another bug. Poor little girl. She's had a really rough winter and, after round and round of antibiotics, we decided to do the tubes. The procedure was very fast and relatively pain free. She hasn't had an infection since and, while she's still fighting a runny nose, she is definitely better off with the tubes.

Mia has several games that she enjoys at this time. Of course, she's a huge fan of Peek-a-Boo, but, really...who isn't? She also likes puzzles, flash cards, going down the slide, shooting baskets in her hoop (she got one for her birthday!), Farm, blocks, coloring, painting, practicing writing her name, spelling three letter words (she can recognize Bop, Mom, Dad, Fox, Cat, Dog and Mia). She's beginning to enjoy being chased and she loves trying to play hopscotch, although she's not quite able to jump with two feet. One of her most favorite games is "Pillow Palace." We line up pillows all over the floor in the guest bedroom and she jumps off the bed onto them (about 8 inches down). She is bold and brave and joyful as she flings herself into the heavenly landing. For her birthday, Mia received a horse from Gramma and Bop. She is completely THRILLED by it and was filled with glee as she learned how to ride it. I can't help but think this might be the beginning of her long love of horses.

Mia loves to have tea parties with Auntie Anna on Mondays and she's very excited by tiny babies. She has two baby dolls, one named Ella and the other one named Baby. She loves feeding them bottles and putting them to bed with blankies. She also loves giving them bok choy and corn to eat.

Everyone that hangs out with Mia is amazed by her language development (when she decides to do some talking!). It is sometimes shocking to me to hear certain words and ideas come out of that little mouth. Here are a few stories:

• I was cleaning up papers in the office. Mia started shuffling with papers too. I said "Whatcha doing, Mia?" She responded..."Organizing."
• Annalise asked Mia, "What's your favorite vegetable?" Mia replied, "Rhubarb."
• When you ask Mia, What do you do to go really fast, she replies, "Drop the hammer!"
• She nonchalantly yelled out, "I love Dave. I love Courtney. Tiiiiiinnny Baby!"
• Often, she uses please, thank you, you're welcome, excuse me unprompted. Sometimes, she still needs reminders, however.
• She says, "I wanna nack, please (still working on that darn S!)
• I told Mia she had a snail that lives in her nose (see Shel Silverstein) that would bite her finger off if she stuck her finger in there. She cracked up and started telling everyone about it. One morning, I went in to her room and she had her finger all the way up her nose and said, "I love my nose nail."
• Mia knows the names of ALL our friends. She can identify them all in pictures and refers to them using little mental tricks she's developed. She associates them all with something we've done with them and doesn't seem to forget. It is quite remarkable how much she remembers all the people she has met.
• Mia knows how to "Keep in Touch." We touch the tips of our pointer fingers and say, "I love you, " while maintaining eye contact, even if just for a second. She even initiates it. Of course, it completely melts my heart!
• She says, "Where you going, Bop?" when he leaves the room.
• When I say, "Mia, what city do you live in?" She replies, "Portland." Me: What state do you live in? Mia: Oregon. Me: What's the name of the river that flows through our state? Mia: Willamette. I mean...really? Is this not shocking? She's TWO, for crying out loud. I think I'm in trouble.
• "All by yourself."
• "So proud of you."
• "Too big."
• "Too tight."
• "I hungry."
• "I hot."
• "Mama, tis it." (kiss it")
• "I want milt, please."
• "MINE!"
• "That's Mia's."
• In the car, "Mama's house. That way" (and she's always right.)
• "Daddy's house. Over there." (and she's right)
• "I want a special treat, please." (constantly)
• Mia: I want a plum (dried prune--might as well be candy). Me: You can have one. Mia: I want two, please.
• Me: Mia, when people say hi to you, you need to respond, 'hi.' Let's practice a bit. "Hi, Mia." Mia: "Hi (big smile)." At the market, some random lady says hi to Mia. She responds, "Hi." An hour later, Mia: Mama, hi. I'm so proud of you. (She was really proud of herself for following through and saying hello to a stranger. Often, she's a bit intimidated and shy).
• "Music, mama."
• "Nice and warm!"
• "Flash the horns!" (thanks, Dada!)
• "Want some food, Jakie? Jakie's eating"
• "I want my humidifier."
• "Shata" (Shaka--hang loose sign)
• "I want my music box. (The one Gramma and Bop brought back for me from Switzerland in 1981)
• Me: Mia, how big is your belly? Mia: HUGE!
• Me: Mia, do you want to take off your bike helmet since we're done riding? Mia: NO!
• "No, Reggie!"
• "Scuse me, Reggie."
• "Hi, Jakey! Mama, I love Jakey."
• Mia points out landmarks on our drives: "Old school." "New school." "Tato store." "Fred Meyer." "Other Fred Meyer (our local one is being remodeled)." "Pizza store (Pizzicato)." "Car wash." "Willamette River." "New Seasons." "Big park." "Little park." "Kelly's house." "Gas station." "Market of Choice...just your size (they have miniature shopping carts that Mia LOVES to push around)."
• We go into Market of Choice and she marches up the the meat counter and yells, "I need a sausage, please!"
• "I love you, Gramma (completely spontaneously)."
• "ALL DAY LONG!" This is what Mia says when she gets to have Gramma to herself on Fridays.
• "Mama sing it. Gramma sing it. Auntie Anna sing it. Dada sing it." This is what Mia says when she hears a song that one of her favorite people usually sings.
• Me: Mia, how are you feeling? Mia: Happy.

Mia is not always happy, however. She is dabbling tantrum land and I've gotten a taste of

what might be to come if she decides to continue down that path. She stomps her feet. She cries. She flings herself to the floor, face down. She backs up. That's right. She backs up, as if to say, "because of you, I'm going to blindly back myself into potentially dangerous territory. I may seriously hurt myself by backing up and falling or knocking myself out or breaking a bone or causing serious damage to my body and ALL BECAUSE YOU WON'T LET ME HAVE ANOTHER SPECIAL TREAT AFTER I'VE ONLY HAD TWO!!!!!!!! YOU'RE MEAN!!!"

As a mom, it is sometimes difficult to know what to do when she clicks into tantrum mode.

Most of the time I let her feel her feelings, rub her back and tell her that I know she's feeling

frustrated. A few times when she's stomped herself silly and is melting down over the tiniest

thing, I can't help but crack a smile or even chuckle a bit. I've quickly learned that this is NOT

OK with Mia and I should NOT be doing any such thing while she is upset. Fair enough.

I'm sure it'll be interesting to see how this progresses. Bop likes to look at me in these

moments of extreme stress and with a snarky smile and say, "hmmmm...reminds me of

someone I know." I'm sure he's enjoying the payback.

Mia is beginning to enjoy doing things "All by yourself (herself)." She feeds Reggie, puts on her

shoes, puts on her pants, brushes her teeth (with a little help from mama), climbs up and down

the stairs, although she still prefers to be carried, if possible, eats with a spoon and fork, gets

on and off her new pony, climbs in the wagon, climbs on her tricycle, stirs (whatever we happen

to be cooking), and gets undressed. She enjoys challenging herself with new tasks and is

persistent about completing them.

Mia is still a bookworm. Sometimes Gramma and I both will have to say, "C'mon, Mia. We

need to get off this couch and MOVE," when we've done too much reading. If Mia had her way,

we would simply read books all day long. She never gets tired of it. Her current favorite books

are:

• Oh, What a Busy Day (still)
• The Real Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
• Do Unto Otters
• Picture This
• The Belly Button Book
• The Big Hungry Bear
• Cars and Trucks and Things that Go
• Maple Hill Farms (still)
• Hickory Dickory Dock (and other nursery rhymes)
• Baby Beluga, the book
• A Good Day (Thank you, Susy Blackman--it's one of her most favorites!)
• The Duck Stuck in the Muck (or something like that)
• Silly Sally
• Dr. Suess' ABCs
• The Foot Book
• Hop on Pop (Thank you, Sam Blackman and fam!)

There are plenty of others that she can't put down. She loves the bilingual books and anything

with farm animals. More than anything, she likes to really look at the books. She memorizes

them quickly and loves to do interactive reading. She never tires of looking for that Goldbug!

One of my most favorite things about Mia is what she does for Bop. I've never seen him filled

with such joy. I think she could even get a tatoo and he wouldn't be mad at her. She loves him

so fully and that "vacation smile" that mom used to always talk about, the one he only had

when we were in a tiny fishing town in Mexico, away from all phones and secretaries and

courtrooms. Well, every time he's with Mia, I see it. It's quite wonderful to witness and I'm

so proud that I can be a part of something that brings him such happiness.

I love that Mia gets excited by birds and flowers and puzzles and music. I love that she is

a smart, happy girl with a busy life. I love that she eats dolmas and tacos de carnitas and

salsa de mango and bleu cheese. Gramma doesn't love that she loves beets, but I do. I also

love that she is pensive and cautious. She appreciates good music and knows how to have a

good time! Mia is constantly surrounded by loving and caring people and I have no doubt that

she will continue to delight and inspire them!