I have never had a problem with periods of my life moving too quickly or too slowly. It seems like everything, so far, has been just right. I loved my childhood, but when I went to high school, I was ready to be there. I loved high school, but when it was time for college, I was ready and excited to go. I loved college, but when it was time to graduate, I was ready to move on. I loved living with friends and my sisters after college, but when Pete and I got married, I was ready. I was happy being married and living in Appleton, but when I found out I was pregnant (even though it was a surprise!), I was ready and excited to have a baby. Sophie's first year didn't move too quickly or too slowly either. When she turned one, it seemed right. It seemed like it had been a year since she was born.

HOWEVER, all of a sudden things are moving too quickly. This is the first time in my life where I just want things to slow down. It seems like all of a sudden she is a walking, talking kid, and she is almost halfway through her second year (okay, she is only almost 16 months, but still!), and I am almost 30. What?!

I can't even keep up with the new things that she does. I bet she says at least a hundred words (Mommy, Daddy, Nonnie, Uncle Drew (uh DOO), Ning Ning, Reebs, Dog, Abe (Aaa), Smith (Meee), Grandpa (Pa), Grandma (Ma), cheese, yogurt, bunnies, pudding, milk, water, toast, bread, noodle, banana (nanana), book, ball, up, down, bath, duck, paci (ba poo), night night, yes, no, toy, car, movie, elmo, hat, shoes, boots, jeans, more, all done, eye, nose, mouth, uh oh, bonk, etc.). Maybe that's an exaggeration, but it seems like she has tons of words and that she understands most of what I say.

Books are probably still her favorite toy, but her "babies" and kitchen are favorites now too. She also loves drawing and coloring, and every time I ask her what she is drawing, she answers, "bbbbbb" (which is the elephant noise, meaning she is drawing yet another elephant). She loves singing songs, and her favorites are "head and shoulders" and "the itsy bitsy spider" and others that she can do the hand motions to. She likes to get out of the house, and she makes this clear when she starts bringing her boots and coat and my shoes over to me.

She is almost always happy, and she is constantly clapping and saying "yeah!". She is also very loving, and she constantly gives kisses and hugs to everyone and everything. I do also see that she has developed a stubborn streak, and even though this could be just a toddler thing, I think that with Pete and me as her parents, she probably wouldn't have avoided it anyway. :) She is just the most amazing little girl, and we really couldn't love her more.

I just hope things slow down a little bit, even though I know they won't. I'm sure my next post will be when I am in my fifties and all of my kids are out of the house and it will seem like just yesterday when I wrote this post. Let's hope not...