Two and a half!

On December 29th Tula Belle turned 2 and a HALF! For the past few months, basically since I have decided not to update her blog monthly, I have been keeping a paper list of things that are new with Tula, cute stuff she says, etc. I am just not in the habit of logging in and updating my blog that frequently, so this is the best I got. Now, as I look at some of these things, it feels almost silly to write them out, as she has been doing some of them for what feels like forever. But if I really think about it, it has only been within the last three months or so since I last wrote about Miss Belle, which means as old as some of this stuff may feel to me, it is still relatively new. So, here goes.

-sleeping with door open.

This was a big one. When Tula first started sleeping in a big girl bed, I took us some time to get her used to staying in it. Once she realized she could get out of not just the bed, but her room, all bets were off and bedtime became a nightmare for all of us. So poor Tula had to get locked in her room for a couple nights, till she learned that leaving it was not an option. After 3 or 4 awful nights like this, we started asking her at bedtime if she wanted the door open or closed. Of course she would say open, and then I would tell her that if she wanted her door open it meant she had to stay in bed, if she got out we would shut the door. It actually worked perfectly and she started going right to bed, always remembering to tell us "You leave my door open" after prayer.

-prayer.

Tula has started praying! She finally understands when we pray before dinner to close her eyes, bow her little head, and she usually interlocks her tiny fingers just like the adults. She also has completely memorized the Lord's Prayer, and almost recite the whole thing when we read through the book she has of it at night. But the most special prayers I have heard from her are at the end of the day, after I pray for her, and then she continues. Usually with "Thank you a (for) Mommy. Thank you a Daddy. Thank you for Sadie and Coca." And just goes on giving thanks for everything she can think of. One time she even said "Thank you for all my family." I know she doesn't totally understand prayer yet, but I love knowing the foundations are being laid for a little girl to know that everything good in her life comes from above.

-her "Girls"

Tula now refers to Sadie and Coca as her girls, and usually won't nap or go to bed at GG and Papa's house without her "girls".

-Mav wants this/that

Tula understands her brother better than anyone, I think. Myself included. More than once throughout the day, usually when Maverick is crying about something, Tula will tell me "Maverick wants this" or "Maverick doesn't like that". And most of the time, she is right. She is such a caring big sister.

-protective big sister.

The other day I had the pleasure of hearing Tula introduce Maverick to some neighborhood friends. She said "This is Maver John. Be VERY gentle." and she had both her hands on his shoulders. So sweet.

-more funny stuff she has said:

"It's not my fault" "No problem!" "Two more minutes" "No kisses, Tula has pretties on" "You're driving me crazy" "Have patience" "Stop, you're making me nervous" "You almost forgot your phone in the car" (Like, such a long sentence, and it was true! She actually reminded me!)

- "all by myself"

Tula has become so independent the last few months. She wants to do everything by herself. Put clothes on, wash her own hair, get on the potty. Any and everything that we used to help her with she wants to at least attempt to do "all by myself".

-playtime with friends.

Tula is now at the stage where she really loves to play with her friends, not just alongside them. Loves to make new friends at the park or wherever we are, she is very social and not shy. Tula also feels very comfortable with old friends we have had since she was little and loves to play with them. Gets VERY excited when I say so-and-so is coming over or that we are going to so-and-so's house.

- pretending to sleep.

This is soooo funny. Sometimes after we put Tula to bed if we end up going downstairs I can hear her little feet running around upstairs and I know she is up to something. If I come upstairs, and stomp loud enough that she hears me coming, she runs as fast as she can to her bed and jumps up on it, closes her eyes, and pretends to be sleeping in whatever position she lands in. Sometimes she will even be sitting straight up. But if I go right up to her face, nose to nose, she doesn't blink or crack a smile, just totally seriously fakes sleeping. Even if we say her name, nothing works. One time, I asked her "Tula....Tula...you sleeping?" and very slowly she nodded her head yes. hahaha

- MICKEY!

Tula has developed a loved for Mickey Mouse that is borderline obsession. She only wants to watch Mickey Mouse on tv. For Christmas, all she wanted was a "Mickey book". When coloring, she only wants to color the Mickey pages (and Donald sometimes). Every and anything Mickey right now. She's pretty much his biggest fan.

There have been so many changes since Tula turned two years old, she is just developing so quickly at this stage and all the things that come out of her mouth continue to amaze us. She knows her alphabet song. She can almost spell her name, she recognizes the letters in it. She knows all sorts of colors and songs. She loves to count, I hear it doing it while playing with toys all the time. I know she can count past ten, but not sure how much. I hear her babbling about numbers lots lately. I am never worried about her developmentally, she seems extremely bright and eager to learn. I might be a little biased though.

Tula has loved having GG and Papa here for the winter and all the time she is getting to spend with them. She goes for lots of sleepovers, and nothing excites her more than when I tell her that we are going to their house, or they are coming to visit us. Of course this year Mav gets to tag along as well and Tula seems fine with that, she gets to sleep with GG and Papa and Mav is still in the crib for now.

Tula is at the wonderful age where she finally comes up with the most thoughtful little things to say. She tells me she loves me "too" when I say I love her. Today, actually, at nap time I laid down with her for a bit and I had just had a shower and brushed my hair back but not blowdried it. She said "You brushed all you hair Mommy. It looks very pretty." hahaha I could get used to that.

Tula likes to play pretend so much more. LOVES to play dressup. We have compiled a box full of dress up clothes and she loves to dress herself and her brother. Sometimes to steal a snuggle she will bring me one of her dolls bottles and say she is a baby and wants me to hold her and give her a bottle. Loves to pretend cook in her kitchen and make me taste her food and for me to tell her how good it tastes.

What can I say? Two and a half years later, baby girl, you still fill my heart to the brim with love.

Love you always,

Mom