Aiden: Two and a Half

Oh, Aidy. You're TWO AND A HALF! (Actually, you're now closer to THREE.) I honestly didn't think I'd write a half year post this year, but man have you grown up since turning two. Every time I look at you, I'm just in awe. What a gift you are. Some of my favorite things I want to remember:

• You are so independent and want to do everything yourself.
• You are the BEST big sister. Truly, more than I could have ever imagined. You have more patience with Emerson than your dad and I combined, and no one makes her smile like you do. 
• You love to help out in the kitchen. Daddy built you a little stool so you can help us cook and bake. Of course, you would much rather us butt out of your experiments. :)
• Your imagination is starting to show and I teared up a little bit today watching you pretend with your baby doll (her name is "baby"). 
• You love to be outside and love bugs! On our walks, you really enjoy picking up all of the dead worms you can find.
• Your chubby baby cheeks are gone and you now look like a kid. (I'm fighting back tears.)
• I tell your daddy all the time that I can't imagine you getting any older. You're two and a half and I (of course) think you just couldn't possibly be smarter. 
• Your vocabulary has exploded the past few months, and you're really starting to put some sentences together. Just as we imagined, you are HILARIOUS. For example, you accidentally locked yourself in your room after your nap today. When I came to rescue you, you said "Mommy, it's tricky!"
• Daddy took you to your first baseball game at Lassiter last week, and I'm pretty sure it was the best day of his life. You had no interest in the game, but loved everything else going on! (And you ate 1.5 cheeseburgers....my girl.)
• You love chips and salsa (yesss!) and any type of dip.
• You LOVE your family. Not just us, but your extended family, too. You're especially fond of your best friend/cousin, Jude.
• You give the best kisses.
• You have the best laugh. Hands down. The BEST laugh.
• I love seeing your heart for Jesus already. You always remind us if we forget to pray before a meal (or a snack), and you're already teaching Emerson how to pray (you get frustrated that she can't fold her hands, yet). Papabear died a few months ago, and you always remind us that he's with Jesus in Heaven. Melt my heart. 
• You love Disney Princesses, and LOVE to sing along and dance. Current favorites: Frozen (Anna and Elsa), Mulan, Moana and Cinderella.
• You could listen to "Let it Go" all day long and it still wouldn't be enough for you.
• You really just love to sing and dance, period. It's the cutest thing in the whole wide world. You learn lots of songs at school and I love trying to piece together what they are.
• You are potty trained! (ish) It only took you a couple days to catch on (most frustrating days of parenting, to date), and you're doing a great job. 
• You love to tickle! It's adorable, except that I hate being tickled.
• Lately, a red lion named Kelsey has been sleeping in your bed. But don't worry, she protects you... and sometimes pees the bed (apparently).
• Some of my favorite little Aidy phrases...
• "Mom, come onnnn." I had to fight back laughter the first time you said this, because it was with a 'tude.
• "Toast ready!" When the toast pops up for breakfast in the morning.
• Your macarena months of the year song.
• "I tooted!"
• "You got it girl"

Everyday you teach us something new. I'm glad you don't notice yet, because I would probably creep you out how much I just stare at you. You are unbelievable. You are going to be a FORCE and I pray you use it for God's glory, little one. I've said this since the day you were born, but my gosh - it is my greatest honor to be your mother.

Fun video clips:
Let it go!
Tickling Sissy
Tooty Fruity
First Pony Ride
Hi Ho! 
Worms!
More worms...