Ivy at two and a half...

Ivy at two and a half is equal parts sunshine and drama queen, quick to smile and quick to scream when her brother gets in her way. She does not hesitate with the backhand when she wants something to stop... and she does not hesitate with hugs and kisses either.
She has eyes that light up over  the tiniest amusement.  She is thoughtful and deliberate in her speech, insistent that we understand her exact meaning, frustrated when we don't.  And she is funny!  She has a sense of humor for sure, and an imagination to beat the band.  Nearly any object in the world can be turned into a baby, and I've been handed many an invisible book/snack/hairbrush/phone in the most straightforward manner; it is so real to her, I must be able to see it too...She is loving and compassionate, taking time to hug and stroke and praise her dog throughout the day, checking in if she thinks someone is "tad".  She simply won't leave a clip in her hair.  She's a bit of a mommy's girl right now, and often starts the day with a temper tantrum as soon as she sees it's daddy who's come to get her up (poor daddy), though mommy is not immune to Ivy's temper, either. Luckily her fits of ire are quick to pass, most of the time.  Generally, she eats 2-4 bites of breakfast a day, saving herself for lunch where the possibility of one of her favorite foods-- pepperoni, turkey, mac-n-cheese, chicken nuggets-- is high.  She can put some hurt on green salads, too, and loves most fruit.  She's still nursing at night and, most likely as a direct result, still not sleeping through the night on a regular basis.  Sigh.  Despite being exhausted a lot of the time, I am strangely OK with this.  I think because there is nothing quite like a midnight snuggle with a sleepy little to let you feel like your giant, 30 pound daughter is still a little baby..

Speaking of weight, Ivy girl had her 32-month doctor's visit today. She was pronounced well on-track-- indeed, Dr. Mann was quite impressed with her ability to take deep breaths on cue.  Her official stats:

31 pounds (75%)
37.5 inches (97%)

How in the world I have not one but TWO children who are above the 95th percentile for height is a true mystery of nature.

Other milestones and accomplishments:
 
We were proud to tell the doctor that she is solidly, 100% potty trained during the day.  Its almost to the point where I take it for granted, and I haven't had a change a poopy diaper in so long I probably wouldn't remember how.  And I am quite happy with this.

Physically, she can run and jump and climb and kick and generally keep up with her brother in many ways.  Her run still dances, just a little, but she's started to concentrate a bit more on speed than on style.  She loves to imitate everything Jack does, hence the fact that one of her favorite games is to fall down dramatically to the floor, and then giggle about it.

 Interests:  Ivy has turned herself into a GIRL.  Anything pink is, by default, wonderful.  Dolls and her tea set remain constant favorites.  She is very, very into shoes. She loves to watch Max and Ruby, Little Bear, and Dora, and she is constantly interacting with the shows as she watches.    She loves reading books and almost always talks me into reading more than 3 at bedtime...

Verbally-- the girl is a motormouth.  She is talking in full sentences.  I am not even sure how long they are because one does not count the words used by a full conversation partner.  That's what she is, these days. We have real conversations about things.  The grammar is a little off, sure, and she can't pronounce initial f or tr sounds very well, but she has plenty to say and, I think, she is very easy to understand.

Here are a few of my favorite phrases in her current lexicon:

"Maybe I.... " Said in a lilting, questioning tone, this sentence starter pops up all the time. As in, "Maybe I go ousside now?"  or, "Maybe I don' like dat one" or, "Maybe I haf some pink ice cream?"

"I be a berry".... She was a fairy for Halloween, as you know.  But she can't say that f sound, so a berry it is.  I love to say back, "Oh, you're a berry?" just to hear her insist, in a sharp tone of voice, "NO, mom.  I a BERRY!"

"A night kiss, momma!"... this is a kiss blown to her as I stand at her bedroom door at night.  She reaches up to catch it, then brusquely taps her chest as she says, "in mah heart."  And in mine, little one, and in mine...

Lullabies.  She likes to sing an approximation of a few of her favorites and I wish I could capture her rather tuneless little voice proceeding through some variation of the words... "lullaby go to seep good night baby...."  " Ting mockin'bird!"  "No, you miss dog name Rover!" (did I mention that she KNOWS all the words??)

(rapturously) "Oh, I DO love MEAT."  I am not sure I really need to elaborate on this one.  She does love meat.  She also has been known to sub in other words into this one, like "peas" or "apples" or whatever else it is that she is enthusiastic about at that moment.

The girl is nothing if not enthusiastic.

And she is utterly charming in that enthusiasm, that unbridled appreciation of the world.  Her quick smile, her easy giggle-- these even out the moments when she pushes us away with her elbow, shouting "NO". Try as I may, simply cannot stay upset at her for long.  She turns on that magic light of hers and I am ready to hand her the world.