My Dearest Belle,
You are TWO years old!!!
Where did the time go??? Your second trip around the sun kept Papa and me VERY busy.
For one, we started you at a new daycare when you turned one. We LOVED the “할머니” & “할아버지” who were taking care of you thus far, but it was clear to us that you needed more social interaction with more adults and definitely more of your peers. The daycare center only takes 12 kids, so it was small enough for you to be comfortable but still be exposed to different personalities.
During this last year, we saw you going from waddling to running…
From missing your mouth to skillfully maneuvering utensils…
From babbling to conversing…
From infanthood to full blown toddler.
This past year brought so many pleasant surprises for Papa and me as we watched you grow in leaps and bounds. The things you say and the way you conduct yourself - especially how well you express yourself verbally - has left us astounded at how quickly and well you pick up languages. Even now, people are amazed at how well you speak - it is definitely well beyond your years. You’re still very shy around other people, and you definitely scare easy (I think that’s on me), but you are developing into such a fun, goofy, sweet human!
In June, I was asked to officiate Auntie Nancy and Uncle Arthur’s wedding in San Diego, and you were asked to be the flower girl! At 18 months and deathly afraid of strangers, we weren’t sure how you would handle walking down the aisle by yourself… I was just hoping and praying that you wouldn’t breakdown crying. At the end of the day, you didn’t make it down the aisle by yourself, but Papa proved himself a trooper by picking you up and taking you down the aisle himself. I told him it was practice for your wedding day.
He wasn’t too amused.
Then in early December, I had to take some photos for our family’s Christmas card. I planned to take you to Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills, but with all the year-end plans, the only day we could squeeze in a planned trip was, of course, the last possible weekend. Unfortunately, when we walked out the door, it was raining, and an outdoor photo shoot was out of the question.
SO! We headed off to the Beverly Center, hoping that they would have some decent Christmas decorations up. It wasn’t the most festive mall, but it was enough for us to get what we needed!
The week before Christmas, we took you to Westfield Century City to meet Santa. Of course, we were expecting a meltdown when it came time to actually meet the big guy, and you did NOT disappoint! It’s okay - everyone told me that the crying photo with Santa is a rite of passage for parents. Fortunately, we were able to get some non-crying photos before and after the meet-and-greet though!
As of late, we’re working on your intense preference for me (as well as your equally intense rejection of Papa), but everyone tells us it’s a phase, so we’re waiting for it to pass - much to Papa’s sorrow.
You’ve been into unicorns lately, so for your second birthday, I organized a party at your daycare so that you can celebrate with all your friends. I baked a cake (five birthday cake layers, swiss meringue buttercream frosting, sprinkles for decoration, along with unicorn toppings), put together goodie bags, and bought you a unicorn dress. Although parents are not allowed to join the celebrations, they sent out plenty of pictures - enough for me to see that you had a great time. It was hectic and crazy (and the pouring rain on the day of didn’t help with food pick-up/drop-off), but your smiles in the photos made it all worth the effort and stress.
Papa and I love seeing you grow day by day… week by week… month by month… And we’re so excited to see what the next year will bring!
Love always,
Mama
