Two.Ten Years

2.10 Years

• The big news of this month has been potty training. I have been dragging my feet for a while, but I finally found a week with not much going on (helpful when you have a new baby because we don't go much these days). We started after you woke up from your nap on Wednesday. You had two accidents right off the back. Oh great, this is going to take some time. But then, you just got it. We had one accident the next day while playing outside, but really you have been good since then. That next Tuesday we made our Lewiston trip. It was slow going between stores between a nursing baby and taking you to the potty, but we did it just fine.
• This month has been the Christmas month. Last year, you liked the idea of "Ho Ho Ho" aka Santa, but this year, he freaked you out.It took a lot of bribing to get you to stand even in the same room as Santa. Dad thought it was so funny and teased you often about him. He would ask if you wanted Ho Ho Ho to come to our house, and you said no. Pictures of Santa were okay and movies were fine, it was just if you ever saw someone dressed up.
• We did some fun things this month but mostly kept it simple with having a new baby. We have driven around to see the lights, which you think are "so beautiful". We delivered over 30 jars of peppers, which you liked carry the jars up to the door. We went swimming with the activity day girls, and Cloey was so nice to be your buddy the whole time. We didn't make too many cookies but people brought them here, which you absolutely loved. 
• I had the worst parent moment of my life this month. I volunteered to help with Maggie's class Christmas party. You didn't fall asleep for a nap, so I sent you downstairs in your room for a quiet time. When I walked down there to get you ready to go, you had pooped your pants and tried to clean it up yourself. I didn't have time to give you a bath and the closest thing by were Clorox wipes, so I cleaned you up as fast as I could and threw your poopy clothes (which you put in the dirty clothes basket) into the sink to soak. By now, we are already late. You just figured out how to buckle yourself into the carseat and insisted on me not helping. After you clicked in, you started crying. I couldn't get you to tell me what happen but something about getting pinched. I thought it was just that you were tired so I told you that I would give you a kiss when we get there. Well, when we got to the school, you wouldn't stop crying and was holding your arm. Did you break your arm some how? Nothing had happened though, that's the crazy part. I carried you to the classroom, got there right as the kids were walking in. Stacey was late also so nothing was step up. I tried giving you my phone to watch a show, but you couldn't even hold the phone. I wanted to leave right then to take you to the clinic but I had to wait until Stacy got there. I was in charge of a craft and what I thought to be a simple easy craft was too complicated for them. So now of the kids could finish their craft, you were still crying your head off, and JoJo woke up so I had to feed her in the midst of this. Finally it was over, but I still had to rush to the other side of the building to get Sam. My arms were tired from carrying you and JoJo, but we finally made it to the clinic. Dad wasn't there (running 10 minutes late) which meant more time that you were crying. Finally we got into a room and dad popped your elbow back in place.
• Christmas was magical with you. You are at such a fun and sweet age. Since you won't be reading this until you are older, I have to tell you the truth. Christmas Eve night, Dad and I start to pull out all the "Santa" gifts. We filled the stockings and where just putting out the last gifts when we noticed that we can't find your gift from Santa. We ordered you an Little People Set of Frozen 2 and can't find it anyway. It is 11 pm and we look for 45 minutes. I have no idea what to do. We finally called it, pulled out one of the stocking stuffers to use as your Santa gift and throw a book and silly putty that I had lying around. You were so happy to see that Santa left you your own barbie. We will call it good, though next year, I promise we won't lose your gift. Dad and I got you a pop up tent that you could play in with when your friends come over. Maggie gave you a little baby since we left yours in Oregon and Sam gave you a Polly Pocket set.
• We went to Utah after Christmas to visit family and friends. Since you are sleeping in a big bed, you have been promoted to the big kids room when we stay with Grandma. Needless to say, you didn't get much sleep but loved staying up late. The night we were with Brook and Steve, it was 10pm when we went in the room to find you take on the top bunk telling Sadie to take off her clothes. Bonnie is the cousin that you get along with best. Grandpa spoiled both of you with a giant unicorn stuffed animal. This unicorn, named Rainbow, has taken over your bed at home. You call it your lovey, but this thing could eat you.
• According to Millie: favorite food-mac-n-cheese, tv show-Doc McStuffins, book-baby books, friend-Lainey and Gus, indoor activity-play toys with mommy, outside activity-eat snow, movie-Moana, princess-Ariel, song-baby shark

Two.Nine Years

2.9 Years

• Well, JoJo is staying. You have asked us several times if we get to keep her. Yes we do. Although you love everything about her, I have noticed some struggles with you. Since staying at home more, you seem to get sad and emotional a bit more. You were just start crying over the littlest thing. I will ask you what you want to do, and you will replied "nothing". I have been trying to spend more time with you, but I understand it can be hard. With the weather colder and me not wanting to host a ton of people due to JoJo, we have been swapping babysitting with Little Annie, your best friend. You absolutely love those days. You two are just so nice to each other, coming up with cute little games, and always really happy.
• The big news of this month is that you are potty trained!!! I have been dragging my feet about this, but then I found a week with not much going on so we tried it. You have the been the best potty trainer yet. There have been a few accidents, but really by day two, I stopped asking you to go because you would just go on your own. You have stayed dried for every nap and will be close to night time soon. You love your underwear (though I had to order the next size up because the Minnie Mouse ones are a bit tight on you). We were able to go to Lewiston the next week, and it was a breeze, even after giving you your own cup of soda pop. 
• "I have a privacy bum!" You love the idea that you can say that you have a privacy bum and that it gives you permission to do whatever you want in the bathroom by yourself with the door closed. Most of the time, you will just wash your hands for 10 minutes, other times there is water all over the place. I guess that is what I get for raising an independent girl.
• This month has been a lot of fun with the holidays coming. We spent a week in Oregon for Thanksgiving. Instead of playing football, we went over to Woodburn High and had a massive dodgeball tournament with your cousins and their friends. Uncle Dusty had 5 different versions of the game that even you could play. We ate our big dinner at Grandma's and spent the rest of the night playing with cousins. On Friday, we went to Silver Creek Falls for a cold hike and ended at Annie's house for hot soup afterwards. Saturday, we all met up at the movie theater to watch Frozen two, which the kids enjoyed. Though on the drive home, all three of you were singing, "Into the **fart sound**". Dad and I were laughing so hard because that is what we thought of the movie. The dads were in charge of dinner that night while moms went out. Sunday, we blessed JoJo. Monday, you kids went on a date with Grandma and Papa to the lego store and then McDonalds afterwards. The weather warmed up that day, so we spent the rest of the time outside where you went down the zip line a hundred times, swing, and playing with the trucks in the sand box.

Two.Eight Years

2.8 Years

• Well, it's baby month. I love how you come up to my belly and yell, "baby, get out!" It is started to feel real with you as we set up the car seat in the van, pulled out the baby swing and bouncer, and washed the baby clothes and blankets. You understand that it is for sister but you also have taken the opportunity as getting new things for your baby dolls. I walk down the playroom to find two babies in the swing and a the blankets wrapped up in the doll crib. I get kicked out of sister's room because baby Hannah is taking a nap in the crib.
• Your Doc McStuffins love is growing more each day. You ask to watch the show everyday, and could watch the baby episode over and over if I let you. Your costume came in the mail and that entertained you all morning long, using the new doctor toys on all the baby dolls. You even wore your coat to my last appointment. 
• Grandma Price came to get ready for sister to come. Since sister is late, you were to have a few days with just Grandma. The weather is colder so we have been finding indoor activities to do. We took Grandma bowling, watched the BYU game, gone for lots of bundled walks, and you took her to jungle gyms. 
• Baby sister-Joanna Bennett-was born on Oct 22. Grandma was able to watch you during the day. After dinner, she brought you guys over to meet her. You were really curious about her, not knowing yet what to think of her. You did want to hold her, but like every two year old, held her for about 30 seconds before saying she was too heavy. The belly button got your thinking, wondering why it looked funny and kind of grossed out by it also. We brought her home the next day and you have loved her ever since. You have asked us several time, "Do we get to keep her?" Yes, yes we do! One way that you have processed this new change has been getting more attached to baby Hannah. You want to feed Hannah while I am feeding JoJo. You like using JoJo's diapers for your baby. I feel like I have had twins because there is double the baby mess. But overall, you really love her and are so sweet with her. 
• Grandma time has been awesome-so many crafts and books. Grandma Price likes getting out so you have been to the library about every other day and have been spoiled with lots of treats. She brought you a gift of a stuffed puppy (funny because when you went to nursery that Sunday after JoJO was born, they asked if you had a new baby and you said no, you got a new puppy). Grandma was even able to stay for the ward Trunk or Treat. It was so freezing that night and the whole thing was outside. Dad was able to meet us there so he took you around to all the games after the candy. You had brought your snow mittens but had taken them off and on about 50 times in a course of 30 minutes. 
• Grandma and Grandpa Matthews came right after Grandma Price left. I think it would have been better if you had a few days in between with just us, but Dad had a busy weekend, so they came to help out with that. Because of the no break, you were getting finished with grandparents and weren't as excited to see them. They still took you out to jungle gym and story time. Grandma did some crafts with you and made lots of yummy treats. The weather was better and I was feeling better, so we were able to go to the park a few times together. 

Two.Seven Years

2.7 Years

• I have absolutely loved having this one-on-one time with you. When we go out, I like to call you "mommy's buddy". You end up teasing both dad and me by switching your labels, telling dad that you are mommy's princess and telling me that you are daddy's buddy. You absolutely love to tease. This month, we haven't one anything too special, but we have a great routine. After the kids leave for school, we read a book or two, eat breakfast, and then I turn on Doc McStuffins music while I get ready for the day. Every week, we go to the library for story time, help out in Sam's class, visit the baby doctor, and play with friends. After lunch, we snuggle on the bed, read books, and take naps together. I will cherish these naps with you. When I am singing you a song, you start to trace along my face. After naps, we cuddle up on the couch and watch Doc McStuffin show. 
• Speaking of Doc McStuffins, you are all about baby doctors right now. When we go to my OB appointments, you tow around your doll in your backpack so you can examine her while we wait. Tema (our OB) lets you hold the doppler to hear the heart beat. Because of this, you now want to be Doc McStuffins/Baby doctor for Halloween. I am waiting a while to order anything to see if you will change your mind though.
• Soccer season is in full force and Maggie has been your designated babysitter while I am with Sam's team. You love going to soccer because usually your have a few friends there. Your favorite thing is to go over to the bike park, take off your socks and shoes and climb up the wall. It is getting colder, but that doesn't stop you. It was hard at first for let me play with the kids because there are times that I can't see you from the field, but you have such a good time and Maggie is good about staying with you.
• Favorite: food-mac-n-cheese and fruit; book-baby board books; song-Doc McStuffin pandora station, indoor activity-wrestle with daddy; outdoor activity-being pushed on the baby swings; friend-Little Sam, Lainey and Gus, and Annie; color-pink; animal-puppies and kitties

Two.Six Years

2.6 Years

• You are getting to be spunkier than ever. You love to tease people. The other day, you came up to me and told me that you were going to eat me, and then pretended to eat my cheek off. In church, you tell dad, "I'm going to eat your fruit snacks!" Also, you like to "kill" us. You will pretend to shot us and say, "Bang, you're dead". Or you will throw pillows at dad and say, "you're dead". 
• Dress up to coming on strong. You had a late start to wanting to play dress up, but now I often find you come up the stairs right before dinner in a princess dress and high heels. Tutus will often be slipped under shirts and dresses and try to get worn outside of the house. 
• Babies are still your favorite, but honestly, you like toys in general, more than the other kids at your age. I was hoping to get rid of some of the younger boy toys since Sam is in school, but then I come downstairs to find you playing little trains and blocks. You like both girly toys (babies and barbies) but also don't mind Sam's toys (cars and trains). The latest play game that you like is playing doctor. We were at a friend's house when I heard a bedroom door slam. I went in to find you with your shirt up and Little Sam playing doctor with you as his patient. Good thing you are only two, so it is cute and not inappropriate yet.
• Maggie and Sam started school this month. You were so sad that first day.. You had your back pack on and honestly thought that you were going to go with them. I have been having fun spending the day with just us. I call you my buddy (though you tease me and say that you are dad's buddy and not mine). I have been trying hard to come up with fun preschool activities for you, such as play dough, painting, stringing beads). 
• Taking naps have been a struggle for you. I thought if I lay down in Maggie's bed when I put you down, it would help you fall asleep. It worked for two days, but soon I would fall asleep and then wake up to find you either playing barbies or changing your clothes. You are still too young to not be napping, trust me, I can tell you need it while throwing a third fit in the afternoon. After three days in a row of not napping, I finally brought you up to the guest room and laid down in the bed with you. We are going on a week straight of napping again, and I really like the cuddle time with you. 

Two.Five Years

2.5 Years

• According to you: favorite-cereal, book-a baby book, show-PJ Mask, indoor activity-playing books, outdoor activity-play with your shovel, song-Doc McStuffin Song, color-pink, friend-my little friend (Canyon Potter), princess-Tiana
• This month, we went to Ashton, Idaho with your Matthews cousins. You were so happy to play with Bonnie everyday. Each morning, the first thing you asked for was "Where's Bonnie?" Hazel brought a lot of her dolls and babies, which made you in heaven. There was a pond in the backyard with lots of kayaks that we got to go on. I was really enjoyable to have you ride in the front of the kayak and go around the island. You would lean over to one side and run your fingers in the running water. We visited Yellowstone and Bear World. You had a special morning with Grandma and Bonnie while the older kids floated down the river. There was a lot of treats for you sneak and endless chocolate milk. You really loved it there. 
• We spent 10 days in Oregon with Price cousins. Sonora was a big hit for you. You two would run off to the sandbox or sneak upstairs to play barbies. Grandma got to read you bedtime books, and you kept coming out of Grandpa's office with hug handfuls of jellybeans. Grandpa made a zip line that the older cousins were able to help take you down. We went to the beach for a day where we went crabbing and played at the beach. I was impressed how brave you were with the water, keeping asking me to go further and further at in the waves. We went at low tide, so there were all these puddles left in the sand which you played in like a bath tub. 
• The garden is growing each day. You will get your boots on and help me out there, mostly because you know that you get to eat the strawberries and raspberries that are ripe. After "helping" pull weeds, you and the older kids will play school in the hay. 
• The other night at dinner, you were having a hard time eating your food (you are in more picky eater phase right now) so I asked you how old you were so you can take that many bites. You told me you were eleven, such a random number. So I did mystery animal game and sure enough you ate about 11 bites.

Two.Four Years

2.4 Years

• Swimming has started this month. We got a pass to the pool. Last year, you loved the water but were always frustrated because you couldn't swim on your own. This summer, with the help of a puddle jumper, you can swim on your own. However, each time we go, you spend less and less time in the water. I don't think you like cold water at all. It makes me sad because the first time, you liked going down the little slide, but now, you scream when I try to get you to go down. After about 20-30 minutes, you ask to "wrap up in a towel." You like playing with the diving toys while sitting out on a towel.
• You are starting to have you transition into Maggie's room. At first, we would just have you sleep down there twice a week, but by the end of the month, you are down there every night. You still take naps upstairs, but once the kids go to school, I will bring you down there for naps.
• The older kids have been busy getting their summer charts done each morning, and you want to be just like them and work on something. When they get their math books out, you ask for your math book, which is just a notebook that you draw in. Your drawings are getting better each day. Sometimes I will even have you practice tracing basic shapes.
• Your love for babies just keep increasing each day. Every baby is named "Baby Tatoo" including the baby in my tummy. You love putting them to sleep in your crib with the noise on, change their diapers (I find lots of clean wipes and diapers in the trash), take them for walks in the stroller, change their clothes, feed them. I even found you one day having a tea party with some of the babies. You set up the white end table downstairs and figured out how to fill the teapot with water. It made a bit of a mess. You have to take one, if not two babies with you into the car.
• Fourth of July was fun with you. You loved the parade. There was a white line on the side of the road, and you would right on the line and wave. I loved watching you get excited about every piece of candy. We had dinner at a friends house and let off fireworks. You liked the fireworks, but got nervous about holding the sparklers. We ended the night with the rodeo. You laughed when they "wrestled" with the cows.
• Favorites: food-milk (though you call it milky), book-ABC Animals (you will usually pick one book from that week's library trip and have me read it 100 times, then the next week, it will be something else), show-puppy dog pals, indoor activity-playing with babies, outdoor activity-jumping on the trampoline, song-you stopped wanting us to sing to you, princess-probably Ariel and Rapunzel.