Johanna Maria- you turned 2.5 years old this week... i cannot believe it! You are growing up so fast! You are such an incredible girl and I feel so thankful to be your mama!
We went to your 2.5 yr check up and you did awesome! You were so sweet and chatty with Dr. Prunell and answered all their questions and you didn't even cry when you got your shot. You are almost 30 lbs- what?! and are measuring at 60% for weight and 75% for height- just perfectly healthy! Your vocabulary is off the charts for your age, and it always has been- so fun to have a smart child ;) You are just learning like crazy- you study everything and ask so, so many questions! You want to know what certain words mean when you hear new words or hear them in a new context, you want to know WHY someone did something or something looks a certain way, you want to know how people are feeling. and you remember everything- you are such a little sponge!
You know exactly what you want and you know how to ask for it! You are certainly going through a little bit of the "terrible twos" in that you do throw fits when you don't get your way and you are still having a tough time handling big emotions, but you are such a GOOD GIRL! You are so obedient and so kind to other people. and you have a big, empathetic heart! You really notice how people are feeling and are quick to want to make them feel better if they're upset or hurt. You are very confident and are not afraid of much! You are starting to get really brave- the other night I encouraged you to do an obstacle course type thing in our bedroom by jumping off the bed onto some pillows, into a circle (the vacuum cord haha) and then through your helping stool. You wanted to hold my hand while jumping off the bed and the second time I encouraged you to try it all by yourself and you did- you were SO proud of yourself! You spent the next 30 minutes after that just jumping off the bed over and over again. You also had mom and dad's full attention and cheering which was amazing for you. Sister is around a lot of the time and she is at an age where I have a hard time giving you any undivided attention. I can literally not work when sister is awake- she is all consuming. She is pulling to a stand and I often have to make sure she doesn't fall and she wants to be held a lot, etc. etc. so you are actually really, really patient with her...but you would rather I just put her to bed and give you all my attention! For a few weeks, we were going out on mommy/Johanna dates every Sunday afternoon and I was trying to be intentional about giving you one-on-one time- I really need to start doing that again! It is so hard to be intentional about all the things I want to be intentional about (working out, time with the Lord, one-on-one time with each child, my marriage, friendships, etc.) but that is a post for another time..Anyway, so far, we have gone swimming, to McDonalds to get ice cream and play on the play structure, and to the park and Goodwill. By the way, you were so much fun at the swimming pool- you were getting really brave at the end and walking up to your lips in the water on your tippy toes. and jumping in to me from a sit! and you went down the huge slide at least 10 times- so so fun!! :) You are my little flower-collector. I often call you that and you even call yourself that because you have heard me calling you that so often haha. You love to pick out rocks and flowers and take them with you- you have a little rock collection in the drawer of your desk- so cute! You are ALWAYS playing pretend and it is almost always a family. Your favorite food is probably mac'n'cheese or hot dogs and you take after me and love love love chocolate. You usually ask for "something sugary" at least once a day hahah. You are currently into Daniel Tiger and Dora the Explorer and Bubble Guppies (abuelo accidentally introduced BG to you..). Daddy is taking you to see Daniel Tiger Live next month- so much fun! You have a bit of a hard time with daddy...not sure what it is. You still strongly prefer me, which I thought would pass by now. and you will say "No! Just girl kisses!" anytime he tries to kiss you... I wish that you were kinder to him because I know he is just bursting with love for you and wants to connect and play with you and wants you to enjoy him. I pray that you will learn to LOVE him so deeply and will have a beautiful relationship with him. because he really is one of the best daddies I have ever known- we are SO blessed to have him in our lives! You girls are going to have so much fun in life and learn to have a deep joy and will value family so much- he brings so many wonderful things to the table that I do not and I pray that he will be around until we are both old and gray and that our marriage is a beautiful example to you! I have started praying for your future husband- so fun to think about. ummmm not sure what else. ooh we moved you up to the 3rd story and you weren't really fond of it, so we brought up a pack'n'play and you are up there in your "crib" because we HAD to get June out of our room and you two weren't quite ready to share a room yet. Hopefully, we will move you in your old room with June pretty soon because my legs...I guess I don't have time to be intentional about working out, but I do go up and down two flights of stairs at least 8 times a day ;) You still adore your orange blankey and take it everywhere with you. We actually forgot it at a friend's house one night and you freaked out- luckily your primos were spending the night so you slept with them on ita and abuelo's floor and it went ok, but we went to go get it the next morning! You are just such a sweet, kind, funny girl and I am loving watching you grow. You are one of my greatest joys in life! I pray that someday you will read this letter when you are a mama yourself and you will understand how much I love you! My little firstborn- you are teaching me so much every day! Lessons in patience, kindness, priorities, making sure my heart is in the right place, bravery... you amaze me! Motherhood is the richest blessing I have ever known- God is changing me so much through this crazy journey and is making me more like Him...I have loved the Lord for a long time, but motherhood is the fire under my butt that is really inspiring me to change and give Him my all- I want you to have a mother who lives out her faith boldly, who loves others selflessly, and who works hard to serve and put others first. I want to be better for you, my girl. When I see you, I see a little reflection of myself- the good, the bad, the ugly...and I pray that I can be a Godly role model for you and that God can use my life to lead you to Himself! I love you, Johanna Maria. I love you so much! Thank you for being my baby...you are getting to be such a big girl, but you still want to be my BABY. You will let me (and only me!) hold you like a baby and call you a baby! I love your snuggles and your big crocodile tantrum tears. I love your messy, messy hair and your naked little butt! I love your flower picking and your hand holding. I love your questions and your singing. I love your big hugs (you're working on hugging lower so you don't choke me!) and your pretending... you are such a light in my life and I am so thankful that God has given me two and a half incredible years with you!
xoxoxoxoxo.
always yours,
Mama
We went to your 2.5 yr check up and you did awesome! You were so sweet and chatty with Dr. Prunell and answered all their questions and you didn't even cry when you got your shot. You are almost 30 lbs- what?! and are measuring at 60% for weight and 75% for height- just perfectly healthy! Your vocabulary is off the charts for your age, and it always has been- so fun to have a smart child ;) You are just learning like crazy- you study everything and ask so, so many questions! You want to know what certain words mean when you hear new words or hear them in a new context, you want to know WHY someone did something or something looks a certain way, you want to know how people are feeling. and you remember everything- you are such a little sponge!
You know exactly what you want and you know how to ask for it! You are certainly going through a little bit of the "terrible twos" in that you do throw fits when you don't get your way and you are still having a tough time handling big emotions, but you are such a GOOD GIRL! You are so obedient and so kind to other people. and you have a big, empathetic heart! You really notice how people are feeling and are quick to want to make them feel better if they're upset or hurt. You are very confident and are not afraid of much! You are starting to get really brave- the other night I encouraged you to do an obstacle course type thing in our bedroom by jumping off the bed onto some pillows, into a circle (the vacuum cord haha) and then through your helping stool. You wanted to hold my hand while jumping off the bed and the second time I encouraged you to try it all by yourself and you did- you were SO proud of yourself! You spent the next 30 minutes after that just jumping off the bed over and over again. You also had mom and dad's full attention and cheering which was amazing for you. Sister is around a lot of the time and she is at an age where I have a hard time giving you any undivided attention. I can literally not work when sister is awake- she is all consuming. She is pulling to a stand and I often have to make sure she doesn't fall and she wants to be held a lot, etc. etc. so you are actually really, really patient with her...but you would rather I just put her to bed and give you all my attention! For a few weeks, we were going out on mommy/Johanna dates every Sunday afternoon and I was trying to be intentional about giving you one-on-one time- I really need to start doing that again! It is so hard to be intentional about all the things I want to be intentional about (working out, time with the Lord, one-on-one time with each child, my marriage, friendships, etc.) but that is a post for another time..Anyway, so far, we have gone swimming, to McDonalds to get ice cream and play on the play structure, and to the park and Goodwill. By the way, you were so much fun at the swimming pool- you were getting really brave at the end and walking up to your lips in the water on your tippy toes. and jumping in to me from a sit! and you went down the huge slide at least 10 times- so so fun!! :) You are my little flower-collector. I often call you that and you even call yourself that because you have heard me calling you that so often haha. You love to pick out rocks and flowers and take them with you- you have a little rock collection in the drawer of your desk- so cute! You are ALWAYS playing pretend and it is almost always a family. Your favorite food is probably mac'n'cheese or hot dogs and you take after me and love love love chocolate. You usually ask for "something sugary" at least once a day hahah. You are currently into Daniel Tiger and Dora the Explorer and Bubble Guppies (abuelo accidentally introduced BG to you..). Daddy is taking you to see Daniel Tiger Live next month- so much fun! You have a bit of a hard time with daddy...not sure what it is. You still strongly prefer me, which I thought would pass by now. and you will say "No! Just girl kisses!" anytime he tries to kiss you... I wish that you were kinder to him because I know he is just bursting with love for you and wants to connect and play with you and wants you to enjoy him. I pray that you will learn to LOVE him so deeply and will have a beautiful relationship with him. because he really is one of the best daddies I have ever known- we are SO blessed to have him in our lives! You girls are going to have so much fun in life and learn to have a deep joy and will value family so much- he brings so many wonderful things to the table that I do not and I pray that he will be around until we are both old and gray and that our marriage is a beautiful example to you! I have started praying for your future husband- so fun to think about. ummmm not sure what else. ooh we moved you up to the 3rd story and you weren't really fond of it, so we brought up a pack'n'play and you are up there in your "crib" because we HAD to get June out of our room and you two weren't quite ready to share a room yet. Hopefully, we will move you in your old room with June pretty soon because my legs...I guess I don't have time to be intentional about working out, but I do go up and down two flights of stairs at least 8 times a day ;) You still adore your orange blankey and take it everywhere with you. We actually forgot it at a friend's house one night and you freaked out- luckily your primos were spending the night so you slept with them on ita and abuelo's floor and it went ok, but we went to go get it the next morning! You are just such a sweet, kind, funny girl and I am loving watching you grow. You are one of my greatest joys in life! I pray that someday you will read this letter when you are a mama yourself and you will understand how much I love you! My little firstborn- you are teaching me so much every day! Lessons in patience, kindness, priorities, making sure my heart is in the right place, bravery... you amaze me! Motherhood is the richest blessing I have ever known- God is changing me so much through this crazy journey and is making me more like Him...I have loved the Lord for a long time, but motherhood is the fire under my butt that is really inspiring me to change and give Him my all- I want you to have a mother who lives out her faith boldly, who loves others selflessly, and who works hard to serve and put others first. I want to be better for you, my girl. When I see you, I see a little reflection of myself- the good, the bad, the ugly...and I pray that I can be a Godly role model for you and that God can use my life to lead you to Himself! I love you, Johanna Maria. I love you so much! Thank you for being my baby...you are getting to be such a big girl, but you still want to be my BABY. You will let me (and only me!) hold you like a baby and call you a baby! I love your snuggles and your big crocodile tantrum tears. I love your messy, messy hair and your naked little butt! I love your flower picking and your hand holding. I love your questions and your singing. I love your big hugs (you're working on hugging lower so you don't choke me!) and your pretending... you are such a light in my life and I am so thankful that God has given me two and a half incredible years with you!
xoxoxoxoxo.
always yours,
Mama
we do lots and lots of activities with our "mom's group" friends... you are starting to play with your friends instead of just playing by yourself next to your friends and it is so cute to watch you learn to love them! we do the zoo, parks, weekly meet-ups at each other's houses, coffee shops, and even did the beach! so much fun!!
you love love love your grandparents and cousins! every time you "blow" on a wisher flower, you wish for Gramma Sandee! We try to meet up with Gramma Sandee at least once a week- at a park or at her house or sometimes she comes over and plays while I get work done. Lately, she has been taking you to Aunt Alisa's vball games since they are literally right down the road and you love it! you always ask to go with her- "can we switch my car seat over to your car?" and you love spending the night there, although you are much more clingy to mama when you get home. when "Ita" isn't busy working, you love to help her mow the lawn or just follow her around the house or outside while doing chores- she makes you breakfast most mornings and you always ask "Ita, can you offer me something? some turkey or something?"
Mexico trip for Tia Jessica's wedding. you had sooo much fun. you loved the giant bathtub in our hotel room! and the ocean and pools- you would have lived in the water if i had let you! you ate up all the time with your cousins and asked for them first thing every morning. and of course the food was awesome! it was a stressful trip for mama because June was only 3 months old and we were going all the time so it was hard to get you to take good naps and go to bed on time so by day 2 (after leaving our house at 2am for the airport on day 1...) you were super overtired. and we all had to share a room for the first time in the hotel room so you kept waking up and talking, so we all got pretty terrible sleep haha. looking back now it is funny, but i still remember saying that after the weddings, we weren't traveling again for a year!
you got to be the flower girl at Uncle Alex's wedding! You were perfect!! You got to drink like 3 bottles of milk during the ceremony- all the breastmilk for June included and had a bunch of snacks- Gramma Sandee said she just wanted to keep your mouth full so you wouldn't talk and it worked hahah you kept quiet the whole wedding after walking perfect down the aisle- so proud! you did pretty great on the car ride too- 12 hours each way and we stopped at lots of places to let you run around and poor June didn't do great with the driving. You loved all the time with Gramma Sandee- you followed her around most of the trip. Every morning we would take you to the hot tub- mostly because you would wake up at the butt crack of dawn and the house had so many people sleeping in it, we didn't want you to wake everyone else up.
you aren't a huge fan of your baby sister yet, but every now and then you are super sweet with her. I pray that you two will be best friends someday!
waiting for Gramma Sandee!
daddy was so proud that you put his boots back up on the shoe rack and thanked you and you replied with, "Daddio, look! I'm funny. I put hay in your boots!" hahaha that was a big mess.
"helping" me cook has become a favorite of ours!
gramma sandee took you to a gymnastics class every Monday morning for a month for your 2nd bday present- you had so much fun! It was perfect timing because June was so little and demanding a lot of my attention, so it got you out of the house with some undivided attention on you and got your energy out! Gramma always took you to Noodles'n'Co (your favorite!) for lunch after...you are so so loved by your grandmas!!
you LOVE butter! we buy the good stuff because i know you swipe some every chance you get!
playing gymnastics class!
sharing ice cream on one of our mom/Johanna dates!
we moved you upstairs when we needed June out of our room...you struggled for a while and wanted to sleep in the pack'n'play because you still missed your crib but are just now starting to really like your "trundle bed"...so sweet! too bad we are going to have to move you back downstairs- maybe sharing a room with June? once Ita and abuelo head to Mexico for the winter...
hot dogs and milk- your favorite lunch ;)
