Brooke's Second Year

Brooke turned 2 years old at midnight on November 1st! 

It's hard to believe that one year ago Brooke wasn't walking and barely talking. So many changes over the past year!

Here she is at day care exactly one year ago:

And here she is at day care today:

I tried to think about how to organize this blog post (seasons? milestones? favorite moments?) but, truthfully, I didn't keep good records of her milestones, unless you count the 3,000 photos taken on my phone! 

The seasons came and went, and it feels like I can't remember a time when Brooke was not part of our family. She is still a very easy child. She goes with the flow, she's friendly, she's funny, she's talkative, and she always lights up a room!

She enjoys going to church, to day care, and everywhere we go as a family - she is happy to tag along! She's not yet the world traveler that Cam is, but she has vacationed at the beach, mountains and lake.

If I had to guess, her vocabulary is somewhere in the hundreds (or maybe even 1,000 words), although she is not really speaking in full sentences yet. If you scold her or do something she doesn't like, she is quick to tell you that you're "being mean." 

She loves her day care and is always happy to go there each day. I've been very happy that her teachers have remained consistent while she has been in the toddler room, and she loves them!

She loves reading books, particularly books like "100 first words" where she can point to a picture and say what it is, or books that make sounds, have flaps to lift, or bubbles to pop. She likes singing kid songs, mostly the ABC's and "mommy shark." Lately, she has really been into coloring. She also has a Strider bike she has started to "ride," but she has not gotten the hang of it quite yet.

She has already used the bathroom on the toilet twice in September and October, so I'm hoping we can easily potty train in a couple of months!

She is still napping for at least two hours a day, usually from 12:30-2:30 and sleeping in her crib for 12-14 hours per night! So thankful for those good sleeping habits!

She eats everything and she eats a lot. She will not turn down the opportunity to eat, ha!

She can be bossy. Not sure who she gets that from.

We've had such a good year! Looking back, most of the memories are just our regular life - nothing fancy or extraordinary. Dinner at home and bath time most evenings. Walks around the neighborhood in the stroller with our dog. Saturday mornings at the Home Depot workshop. Grocery store trips where she can ride the racecar cart and get a free cookie at the deli. Playing in the inflatable pool at my parents' house on summer afternoons. Going out to eat with friends on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Brooke makes every normal day feel special.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Brooke!

Brooke's First Year recap