2.5 years old!

Today is Hayden's official half birthday.  2.5 years old today!  I sit here thinking, how is she already 2.5?  It doesn't seem possible.  It feels like yesterday I was pregnant with her, but at the same time, it seems like decades ago.  Weird how time feels like that sometimes.  

Brad likes to call her my "mini me".  Looking back at my baby/toddler pictures, she looks so much like me!  I keep looking at this picture, thinking how is she so big already!?

Hayden....at 2.5 years old you are as incredible as ever.  You are the cutest little 2 year old, and very often are told how cute you are (by everyone!).  You have blonde hair & blue eyes with a gorgeous little smile.  You were quite a star in Hawaii with many of the Japanese tourists.  It was not uncommon for one of them to come over with you and pose next to you for a picture!!!  It was SO cute.  They are not used to seeing the blonde hair & blue eyes like we are!  You were a celebrity!  hehe.  

At 2.5 you are as smart as you can be.  Your vocabulary is outstanding, and you speak in paragraphs to me.  You are one lucky little girl, because you have so many people to teach you in this house.  Your big sisters teach you so much, and love to read to you.  You learn so much from them.  You love to sing.  Your favorites are ABC's, Jesus Loves Me, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  You can count to 10, sometimes higher.  You know your colors.  You are well aware of your surroundings, and very intuitive.  You like to know what the plan is for the day, you like to know where you are going, why you are going there, and what you will be doing.  Questions, questions, questions.  Why, why, why?  I love the way you communicate.  You are so smart.  As I type this you are watching The Wiggles, holding the phone to your ear with your arm and talking away.  You love to talk on the phone.  

You love people.  You love your daddy, your mommy & your sisters.  You tell us how much you love us all the time.  I love to hear you say the words, "I Love You Mommy".  You termed the phrase "lovies" in our home, and we all use it now.  You would say "lovies" to us for I love you.  You still use it, and when you are afraid you run to me and say "lovies!".  

Your activities right now are swimming and art class.  You have been in swimming since you were about 12 months, and love it.  You are really getting good, I am so proud.  You are also in an art class that you just love.  Your teacher sings, reads, and does a craft with the class.  You love going!  Your friend Charlie is in Swim & Art with you, and you 2 are just adorable together.  

The bottom line, Hayden....you are ONE AWESOME little girl.  I love you so much.