Sweet, smart, silly Lily FINALLY turned 2 1/2 years old in January. For some reason I feel this age needs a post. It feels like one of those milestone ages. I doubt I’ll write something up when she’s 3 1/2 or 12 1/2, though I remember how important 9 1/2 was. “and a half” is very important to the young. Anyway, I think because Lily is tall and pretty precocious, so many people assume she’s 3 and my typical response is “No, she’s not even 2 1/2 yet.”
But now I must say, “No, she’s just 2 1/2.” And I’m very sure they’ll still be surprised.
I was worried though when she was a month shy of her 2nd birthday and we were in the park swinging next to a little (wee) girl who was counting to 3, climbing on everything, hoisting herself into the “big kid” swing without any help and talking up a storm. Her mother asked how old Lily was. I told her her birthday which was only a couple days from this little girl’s. Lily was barely talking, could only count to two but always skipped ONE, wouldn’t climb anything and was swinging in the “baby swing”.
That was a sobering mommy moment! My pride was hurt a bit thinking my baby was so advanced only to meet that other baby. Oh well. Every mama needs those moments I suppose. But Lily certainly has blossomed into what I knew then was rattling around inside her.
She has such a wonderful imagination, such an incredible memory, she loves books, and music. I’m amazed at the tunes she remembers after only hearing once and hearing her sing them months later out of the blue. She does and says many things “out of the blue”. I barely remember telling her something that she has since locked away in that little head of hers and pulls right out to my surprise. I love when she does that.
Here’s my baby girl. So big now at 2 1/2 years old, telling me what she wants for lunch. Which to my shock was one of the two things she’ll eat for a meal. Mac-N-Cheese. Lily does not take well to change. Sound like anyone else you know?
She is showing an aptitude for music, which yes, maybe all children at this age do, but listen to that voice and that pronunciation! Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Wunderkind.
Okay, okay here’s the translation:
“Jaybird, Jaybird, Fly to my window. Jaybird, Find molasses candy.
Chickadee, (expresses her disapproval of my joining in) chickadee fly to my window. Find molasses candy.
Tiger, tiger fly to my window. Find molasses candy.”
Other 2 1/2 year old wonders are: suddenly began counting to 10 without help, bringing imaginary friends home (meet “Tyrone” below), completely potty trained for some time now and out of her “regression” phase (yay!), washing her own hands, colors in the lines when she wants to, knows when music is “sad” (in a minor key) and becoming very particular.
And that 2 1/2 year old is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen!
of course grandmere agrees with aunt Sylvia!