ellie is 2

Yesterday was Ellie's 2nd birthday party and many presents and good company were enjoyed. I forgot my camera but I did take these this morning.


This gift was one of her favourites.

Ellie has grown so much in the past year. She's more outgoing and willing to talk with strangers (although usually, if you try to pick her up and you're not one of her parents, Uncle Jason or Grandbob, prepare for a scream). She's learnt lots of words and is contstantly impressing me with new ones. And she's so, so smart. I can reason with her now a little. Like one morning she got upset with me trying to undress her from her pajamas, and I said, "Pajamas are for sleeping. Do you want to go back to sleep?" and she thought about it, said "no" and then stopped struggling. It's fun watching her problem solve and think.

Then there are the cute things. One afternoon we were at a cafe and Ellie was struggling out of her chair, not listening to us asking her to sit down. Tim showed her the muffin we'd got for dessert. "Do you want some?" She stopped, then said "Sit down..." She's always telling me when things are in the wrong place, picking them up and telling me "away". Or kindly letting me know when she or someone else has spilt something by pointing and saying "mess". She's decided that hairs are "dirty" when found by themselves, so every time she finds one she gives it to me to put in the bin (which she calls "bim").

I don't know if the 'terrible twos' is yet to come, but she is quite a delight and I'm so proud of her.