Dear Norah,

I cannot believe that your second birthday has come and gone already! Wasn't it just yesterday that we were welcoming you into the world?... or watching you smile for the first time?... or encouraging you to take your first steps? It's as if I blinked and, here you are, a beautiful toddler full of energy and spunk! I want to be able to remember you as a toddler for years to come, so I thought I'd record some of the neat things that you are up to these days:

You are so intelligent for such a little girl. You are counting to 20, know all of the letters of the alphabet, ask tons of questions, and talk all the time. Sometimes I wonder if you'll ever stop talking! Not that I want you to...I love to hear you say new words day after day, and put words together to make sentences. I love to hear you talk about your family, playing with your friends, and going to school. I look forward to all of our conversations in the days ahead.

You are so curious about so many things these days. You're constantly asking "What's this?" and "How you do this?"

You have such a fun sense of humor. You love to laugh and make us laugh with your funny faces, dances and singing. Seeing you smile is the highlight of my days!

You are very good at sharing and taking turns. You will usually politely let your friends play with a toy or wait patiently until it is your turn to do something.

You love to pretend play. Your new favorite toy is your kitchen. You have been playing with it every chance you get. You love to make food for Mommy or Daddy. You also love to "pay something" with your cash register and listen to Mommy's heart when you play doctor. It is amazing how much you have picked up on by watching others!

You are a very independent little girl. You want to do EVERYTHING yourself. When I try to help you do something, you say, "Stop, Mommy, stop!" or "I do it myself!" I am trying to have patience with you because I want you to learn to do things on your own, but it can certainly be trying at times...

Your kisses and hugs are so sweet...I can't get enough of them! Especially when you run full speed into my arms and I scoop you up into the perfect hug!

We have truly been blessed with an amazing, one-of-a-kind little girl! You have enriched our lives in so many ways. I'm having so much fun with you as a toddler that I sometimes wish these moments would last forever. But I know that's not possible, so I will hold these moments close to my heart and look forward to what the future has in store. I love you so very much and am so proud to call you my daughter.

Love you always,

Mommy