Belated birthday milestone

So, I usually do this around the time of Rachel's monthly birthday but this year got distracted, between job-leaving and job-hunting. So here is the grand finale, since I don't plan to commemmorate her monthly birthdays anymore, just the yearly ones. Rachel is:

--adding a colloquialism a day, it seems. The latest: "Oh my gosh!" Others are, "be right back!" "I work too," etc.

--demonstrating the same strong-willed personality that her mommy and daddy both have. Lots of "no!", pouting (accompanied by lying down on the floor in a dramatically pathetic attempt to get what she wants) and whining. So far, threatening her with a timeout seems to stanch the more annoying behavior -- for the moment.

--becoming more and more like a little companion rather than, let's face it, a blob that needs to be fed, burped and put to sleep. She helped me choose earrings the other day and on weekends I plan to ask her advice on what to wear.

--helping more and more around the house. Her self-appointed after-dinner tasks are sweeping and rearranging the silverware in the dishwasher in a way that makes sense only to her. Hey, as long as it gets clean I don't care!

--afraid of insects. Every time she sees one she whimpers, "pider!" ("spider"), even when the insect is an ant. Guess we'll be spending lots of time at the Children's Museum this winter, trying to get her more comfortable with wildlife!

--longing for a "pony" (ponytail) and doesn't seem to understand that her hair isn't quite long enough for Mommy to put her in pigtails yet!

--able to tell us about her day at dinner. At school she plays with Ryan (her special little friend), Sadie, Sawyer, Declan, Sepponi (we still don't really know his/her identity; maybe he/she is imaginary?), Jahmari...etc.

--becoming interested in bikes. Wonder if she should try a tricycle soon?

--showing a definite skill for rock-climbing! She bounded up a plastic rock-climbing play structure this weekend, leaving Drew speechless. By the time he returns from NYC she will probably be ready for a rock-climbing gym.

--showing interest in the potty, although only occasionally and only in the sense of saying she wants to go potty, looking at it and then walking away.

--also showing interest in brushing her teeth and washing her hands on her own. We've kind of slacked off during the summer since cold season is at an all-time low. But I'll pick it up in the fall and winter because the last thing I need is for her or me to get sick while Drew's gone.

--wearing crocs and I must say she looks ADORABLE. Those sandals will see her through the summer!

--more apt to give kisses and hugs these days without being prompted. Best part of being a mom? Having her run to the kitchen calling "mommmyyy, mommmyyyyy," as soon as Drew brings her home from school.

--eating from a grown-up plate and more and more wants to use a "mommy daddy" fork and drink from a "mommy daddy" glass at dinner rather than her miniature cutlery and plastic cups.

--occasionally reverting to crawling around the house. Drew thinks it's because she suddenly realizes that now that she's older, the expectations increase along with the privileges. I think it's because she knows on some level that Daddy will be gone for a long time and that by reverting back to babyhood she can prevent him from leaving. Sigh.

--calling us by our first names once in a while. "My Drew!" she said the other day when she wanted Daddy. Or she'll refer to me as "My Lisa," or just, "Lise." To which I say sternly, "I am MOMMY to you, Rachel."

--hard to please at mealtimes. She still eats vegetables only from jars, and hasn't progressed much beyond cheese sticks, pasta and Gardenburgers. Our pediatrician says not to worry, she is normal weight (25 pounds, in the 25th percentile) and 2 1/2 feet or so (90th percentile for length/height) and he is so happy that we're not feeding her chicken nuggets that he told us NOT TO WORRY. I, for one, would just like to prepare ONE MEAL every night.

--climbing in and out of her car seat without any help. This weekend I'll buy her the same one Drew has in his car, which means that she will be in a forward-facing seat and the view should be much more interesting, especially since starting in September we'll be commuting an hour to school each way.

--very observant of conditions around her. If I rub my hands across my forehead or eyes, she says sympathetically, "Mommy tired," even if I'm not.

--slowly getting over her fear of dogs. Occasionally in the park she will say, "hi doggie!" and the other day she actually pet one, which was huge. Good thing, since Portland is the dog-friendly capital of the universe!

--developing a taste for graham crackers. They're dessert for her, much better than candy or cookies. Although I'm sure those will become part of her diet soon enough.

--losing her taste for berries, alas. But she likes apricots and apples, which I find the most boring fruits in the universe. Maybe I should have her try some of my blackberry cobbler? Or mixed-berry tart?

--still into the chase game she invented: "mommy run. Daddy run. Daddy run. Mommy run." We end up chasing her around the house, sometimes suddenly appearing from behind a wall and yelling, "Agghhh!" She screams with laughter and would play for hours if we let her.

--at 2 years old, the absolute joy of our lives during a very trying year. We are so blessed!