If you ask Sweet Baby how old she is now, she’s quick to answer – “TWO!”
She’s quick to answer about many things these days – using her vast vocabulary of English and Thai words – and some phrases that are a combination of both. She requests a hug in either language and gives great ones in return. With reliable consistency and genuine pleasure she delivers pleases and thank yous. They are always attached to a name (“tink you Shes-tar”).
She and her mom have a really good time – they chatter in Thai, sing together, laugh together. Her dad and I might get breakfast ready, but Sweet Baby enjoys it best when her mom arrives. Sweet Baby eats most everything – she loves fruit of all kinds, avocados (‘cados), rice, oatmeal with peanut butter, and the cream cheese off a bagel.
Sweet Baby deftly employs third person verbs with her name – declaring Sweet Baby going walking, going sleeping, going hiking. And she identifies our activities and belongings – daddy working, Granna Katy’s sweater, Poppa Jim’s hat, daddy’s hat, sunglasses, shoes, phone – on and on. She points to her hair clip (“kee-ip”) and mine. Sweet Baby’s hat is a hot pink ball cap worn with her ponytail through the back.
She’s thin and very strong. (Baby Brother weighs almost as much!) She runs and hikes on those little legs at a great clip – fast, coordinated, and determined. She samples the coming pleasures of snowboarding and swimming with style and concentration.
She’s remarkable with names and faces – repetition might help – after being introduced, she’s apt to repeat “Hi Justin!” (or whomever) multiple times. On her January trip to Thailand, she remembered names of relatives she has met only once. She has an endearing habit of pointing to something that puzzles her, person or thing, and, putting forefinger to chin, inquiring: “it’s ummmm…?”
She shrieked in delight at the sight of her cousins on a recent time together. She patted Baby Brother with affectionate intensity, and was a classic two-year old taking toys when playing with Lady Baby (so grown up at five, amazingly patient and kind with her little cousin).
Sweet Baby’s learned a lot about birthday celebrations – two so far (oatmeal yogurt cake first, fruit tart second). Another evening of candles and treat is in the offing when her Thai granny arrives this week.
Happy Birthday Sweet Baby!
her spirits rose... 
Happy Birthday from me too, Sweet Baby! It is lovely to hear stories about you, a perfect beginning to a day in which trees are in flower and daffodils blooming.
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And the sun might shine!
Such a sweet, sweet story, and it reminds me a lot of when my children were young. Cherish all those moments and keep journaling them – what a priceless keepsake it would be. Happy celebrations!
Thanks Carol!
Sweet memories for all of you grandchildren to read as they grow into adults. What a wonderful record of life. When are you coming for a visit?
I hope – you don’t think maybe they will demand retractions, cringe at these stories – I worry about that. Coming soon!
Such a sweet birthday story for a sweet, sweet girl! I can’t believe that she’s two already!
Thanks Michelle- and harder yet to believe your sweet girl is off to college!
Two already! You paint such good word pictures — the watercolor at the end was a nice bonus. Eagerly awaiting our own Sweet Baby Josie.
Thanks Vicki! And so excited for you!