2 years old

Tomorrow!  Already.  Rowan is turning 2.  I feel like she was *just* born.  I really do.  But here she is, walking, talking, and expressing her own opinions.  Loudly.  She is a tiny dynamo, and not a baby anymore at all. 

{Rowan Catherine 5/12/10}

She was all cheeks when she was born.  And the sweetest baby ever.  She still has her cheeks, and she can still be sweet.  When she wants to be!

Rowan can be so loving, and so challenging, all at once.  She's a blessing, but also a test in patience for this mama. 

You keep me on my toes, Rowan! 

She loves: pretty dresses, shoes, jewelry, fire trucks, legos, strawberries, cheese, music, dancing, singing, running, drawing, reading and playdough.

Rowan can: dance on Papa's toes, sing her alphabet (along with about a dozen other songs), count to 20, recognize many letters, take off her shoes, and climb higher than this mama wants. 

Adventure radiates from her pores.  She doesn't understand caution, or is just missing the genetic link for it.  Her smile is infectious, and she smiles readily at anyone.  She loves to meet new people, and will give them a big wave, a happy "hi!" or maybe even a kiss.  She prefers to be naked, but if she has to wear something, she likes to be wearing a skirt or dress.  And right after I put a skirt or dress on her, she will twirl around and say, "Superman!"  So it's hard to pinpoint if she likes dresses because she's girly, or because she pretends she has a cape.  She does prefer Batman, Superman, and Spiderman to any Disney princess. 

Rowan has no volume control, so everything comes out LOUDLY.  Currently, her favorite book is Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen.  Which makes this mama proud and happy.  She's a good sleeper, but not a great eater.  She adores AND infuriates her brother.

At bedtime, she will go tell Fletcher, "Night-night.  Sweet dreams.  I loooooove you!"  And then she insists on a kiss, whether he wants one or not.  She loves to cuddle, but on her terms.  And on her terms only.  She can be heard from her bed at night laughing and singing "What a Wonderful World," or "Fields of Athenry," or maybe "You are my Sunshine." 

She IS the sunshine in our lives, that can sometimes be covered by storm clouds.  She is passionate, and that can mean she butts heads with us.  I think she's awesome.  I think she's going to be even more awesome.  And I can't wait to see who she becomes, and what she accomplishes. 

I love you, Rowan.  You bring so much joy to our lives, and you are a beautiful little ball of dynamic energy.  Your sweetness and love is evident, and our lives have been beyond blessed by you.  xoxo, Mama