24 Months - It's my birthday!

As of now (well, 10:29PM) I am a 2 year old - Happy Birthday to me!

I am big enough to go on rides by myself.

I am big enough to read to myself... and also pick my own outfits - it was not raining that day.

Mommy has no idea how this happened.

Also? The terrible twos are REAL, you guys - and everyone keeps telling Mommy just to wait 'til I'm 3. Mommy thinks those people should just keep those thoughts to themselves, because she doesn't want to know anything about a phase where I am more cranky and impossible than I am now. Really? We are not listening.

I had my birthday party on Saturday, but the celebration continues: yesterday we went to the Duchess County Fair and today we are headed to the beach. There are even talks of hitting the Rainforest Cafe for lunch tomorrow! Can I just say I *love* when Daddy is off from school?

I know approximately 37,000 words; unfortunately, only about 100 of them are in English. Mommy & Daddy stubbornly refuse to learn *my* language. Sigh. I *think* I'm about 24-25 pounds now, and still comfortable in my 18 month clothes. I'm in size 4 diapers, but only until Mommy orders our next case - I think I'm just about ready to move up. And, even though I might not have gained so much weight, I seem taller, so maybe I've shot up a few inches - we visit Dr. Andy on Friday.

Shall we see what BabyCenter has to say?

Mastered Skills (most kids can do)

• Names at least six body parts - For sure - eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, ears, hair, belly, arms, hands, fingers, elbows, legs, knees, feet, toes - way more than 3!
  


• Half of speech is understandable - Ummmm, no. Definitely not. But I talk a LOT, so maybe half is just too high to be reasonable?
  


• Makes 2 to 3 word sentences - Yes. Mostly giving orders, or trying to get my way.
  

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)

• Talks about self - What, like dictate my memoirs? I make my opinions known and state my preferences - is that talking about myself?
  

• Arranges things in categories - I put my toys in their proper containers, but I'm not, like, alphabetizing my picture books... and I'm still not so great with my colors, so we're working on that.
  

• Can walk down stairs - Absolutely - although one of the few directions that I actually follow is to wait for Mommy or Daddy or someone before I just go leaping.
  

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)

• Begins to understand abstract concepts (e.g., sooner and later) - I understand "after" - Mommy can tell me our plan for the day in the morning and I know exactly what we're doing after my nap.
  

• Becomes attuned to gender differences - Nope.


• Learns to jump - I have been jumping for almost 2 months already! For real, both feet off the ground, up in the air jumping!