Annie is 2!

Annie had a simple, but nice birthday this year.  The trip to the pumpkin patch sort of served as her birthday gift.  We made owl cupcakes to take to Patty's house, and we ordered an awesome owl cake for at home.  No birthday party this year, but still fun memories at home singing happy birthday and blowing out candles.  Like always, receiving birthday cards in the mail is also a fun highlight for our kids on their birthdays!

Look "whoo's" turning two!

Friends at Patty's house.  L to R: Sophia, Zoe, Annie, Parker & Vin.

Birthday ice cream and a few quick pictures before bed on Annie's birthday.  I had Parent-Teacher conferences, so we didn't get to do much to celebrate Annie's special day.

We pretended like the next day was really Annie's birthday and celebrated together at home.

A few days after Annie's birthday, Grammie and Papa stopped by with a birthday gift.

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Right as Annie turned 2, she changed a lot.  For us, the most noticeable change was her speech.  She just exploded with her vocabulary, speaking in phrases and really communicating.  (Her speech is actually better than Vin's at this point.  She can pronounce sounds very well, even the hard sounds like f and s.)  She knows all of her immediate family members by name.  When she says Vince's name, it sounds like "Wince."  So cute!  When I ask her what her name is, she says "Aah-nee" and when I ask "Annie Who?"  She responds, "Annie Pie."  I love it! 

She has to do exactly what her brother does.  If Vince stomps his foot, Annie also stomps hers.  When Vince goes outside to play, so must Annie.  If Vince takes his socks off, Annie will too.  When someone brings out something to eat, she responds, "I some."  When Vince has a toy, Annie will attempt to take it right from him.  I cannot believe how much she has to be like Vince.  They also have plenty of fighting moments, but that's typical sibs.  I know that won't end anytime soon.  Because of her monkey see, monkey do, Annie is learning her alphabet, colors and shapes just as Vince is.  Amazing!

Annie's favorite thing to play is babies.  She's really showing an interest in feeding, rocking and holding her babies.  This is nice to see, as Vera never really took to playing babies.  Minnie Mouse is her favorite stuffed animal, and the Minnie book is also her favorite. 

One Annie-ism that I have to document is when we ask Annie to show us her eyes.  She raises her eyebrows and makes her eyes big and still.  We laugh and laugh at her expression.  I've attempted to capture a picture or two, but it just doesn't do justice to how she responds when we ask, "Nee, show us your eyes." 

Annie is still sleeping in her crib, though I am quite confident she could climb out if she wanted.  I've seen her with her foot on the top rail of the crib.  But, she's completely content with the crib, so we will use it for as long as she's willing.  We had a short stretch where she refused to lay down at night, so we put her in bed with Vera.  She laid right down and slept all night with Vera in the big bed with no troubles.  But, we went back to the crib only for convenience, especially at nap time.  I don't foresee the transition to a big bed to be difficult.  Annie goes to sleep like a dream.  She no longer uses her pacifier.  (Honestly, that was really easy to wean.  She didn't much notice it was gone.  She's way more attached to her blanket.  If we took away the blanket, I think we'd have some troubles at bedtime.)  We just give her the blanket and tell her night, night, and as long as the house is somewhat quiet, we don't hear another sound from her. 

Though her personality is shining bright, according to her growth charts, she hasn't grown much in the last 4 months.  Since April, she's grown a mere 1/2 lb.  At her 2 year well-check she weighed 24 pounds, placing her in the 14th percentile for weight.  Her eating habits seem to be really good in my mind.  Annie is always the last one done at suppertime.  She's slow and steady, but isn't picky or finicky at all.  More often than not, she's the best eater of the 3. 

Annie Pie, you may be small, but you sure are mighty.  You have your daddy right where you want him, he has a soft spot for you.  And, though you're the youngest, you know how to defend yourself.  Oh, and you sure are ornery!  I know your second year will be full of the same!  Love you big much, Annie Girl!