Straight from the Storks Nest: Two and a quarter

One cool chick - watching a movie with her shades on

Caitlyn officially turned two and a quarter years old yesterday. She has gotten to be such a big girl over the past few months. She is weighing in at an even 26 pounds, is still taking an afternoon nap (1.5-2 hours) and sleeping around 11 hours a night. She is pretty shy at first and totally observant but once she's warmed up, watch out! I was amazed when I took her to the pool for only the second time this summer and she went crazy. Going down tall slides by herself, dunking her head under water, having no problems getting splashed in the face and even wanting to swim by herself in deeper water - all of this from the girl who won't even run through the sprinkler in our backyard! She surprises me every day.

She has really taken to Chase and Emerson, constantly giving them hugs and kisses and putting pacifiers in their mouths if my hands are full. She's always loved books but has recently started enjoying them even more and will often have me read her a book while she reads one too. She especially likes checking books out from the library. She has recently shown more of an interest in the potty and will take her diaper off and go and sit on it randomly. She's also starting to identify when she has to go and has even peed on the potty a few times. Considering I've done no real training aside from putting a potty in the bathroom and buying a few books, I'm thrilled with her interest.

Here are a few of her current favorite things:

-Favorite books: Giraffes Can't Dance, Dear Zoo, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White

-Favorite movies: Beauty and the Beast, Tangled

-Favorite TV shows: The Fresh Beat Band, The Backyardigans

-Favorite foods: broccoli, green beans, corn, most fruit, pizza, pastas with red sauce, peanuts, pistachios, popcorn, fruit snacks, licorice, chocolate, bagels with cream cheese, yogurt, turkey, steak, ketchup (she will dip almost anything in it, including broccoli and oranges)

-Favorite toys: Anything baby doll or princess related and her kitchen

-Favorite sayings: "My do it" or "My help", "No thank you", "Whoopsy!", "Nope!", "Daisy shush", "Tay" (OK), "Idunwanit" (I don't want it), "Be right back"

-Favorite distraction: Maneuvering around my iPhone like a pro and playing with Talking Tom and Talking Ben

-Favorite color: Yellow or "Yay-yo"

She is truly a joy and brings so much light and laughter into our lives. We love you monkey doodle!