Two Years Ago...

Tomorrow we will celebrate our second anniversary as a family of three. It's hard to believe that it's been two years since Addison was first placed in our arms. What a ride this has been! Addison is quite the toddler. She's full of life, curiosity, intelligence, excitement, love, and yes -- tantrums. She has had her share of "Time Outs" and yes indeed my typically calm parenting style has been challenged. In many ways Addison acts older than her age. Her independence, awareness, and verbal expressions used in the right context surprises us quite often. My sister is convinced that she's been on this earth before. However, in other ways she's such a typical young toddler struggling to find that balance and comfort level between autonomy and wanting/needing to be babied. Over the past year, Addison reluctantly gave her pacifier to Santa (only to beg us to get it back from him), decided that she needs privacy in the bathroom, became better at sharing (most days), has formed opinions about clothes, hair styles, the music she listens to, what books are read to her, and of course which DVD she wants to watch. This year became even more special because in late December Addison began to occasionally say, "I love you Mommy" and "I love you Daddy" without prompting. It doesn't matter that these verbal expressions of love may occur 30 minutes after a temper tantrum. They occur and it's music to our ears. Happy Family Anniversary Addison. WE LOVE YOU BACK!