Two and a half {2.5 update}

What a fun, relaxing summer we're having here in south Georgia. Yes, we are still in GA and while we are, we're taking advantage of Yaya's pool and good cooking on a regular basis. And I will admit outside of being too far from my favorite shopping spots (I love you Publix, Target & Starbucks!), Folkston is growing on me and I'm enjoying small town life. Plus, the people are pretty great. :) While Billy continues to work non-stop (that's how it feels anyway), Lilly Rose is keeping me busy! I could never express how much JOY this little girl brings us all the while, keeping us on our toes. Two really is SO MUCH FUN! :)

June 23, 2014 Lilly Rose turned 2.5 - that day came lightening fast...she already seems so grown compared to Christmastime. I've been taking notes for memory sake, here's a little what my girl has been up to:

Ready for church "I want to go to church, mama"

LR gave me her first "I love you" after I said it to her one night while putting her down. (June 12th to be exact) She has been verrrrrry stingy with this verbal affection and I finally heard it! Daddy was first as he was walking out the door a day or two before. Recently she said it to Yaya. So sweet, especially since she's not dishing them out.

Excited about our new finger paint purchase

Serious Business

Singing: Lilly Rose LOVES to sing. She knows all the words to many songs; twinkle twinkle little star, Jesus loves me and the soundtrack to Mary Poppins. The Mary Poppins obsession has only gotten stronger since our Spring trip to Disney. Lilly will ask for Mary "on puter" and will sit and sing with the soundtrack off YouTube. Lots of dramatic motions come into play during her singing. Broadway gal in training?? 

ready to hit the town :)

And while she's charming the skirt off me, she's also very good at expressing herself. Like i say, two is fun. However, it's also the beginning of mental exhaustion around here. A few examples of her frowned upon behavior would include:
"I don't want to take a nap" -- while crossing her arms and pouting. **I discovered Caillou has similar behavior and I think that's where she learned this, no more Caillou for Lilly Rose**
"I don't want to brush teeth" -- my least favorite part of the day. what once was fun to her is now my biggest chore.
"I do it, I do it" -- she wants to do everything by herself. very independent.
"My leg is broken" -- she would be a hypochondriac in the making if i didn't nip these alliances in the bud.
I will tell her to be careful and without fail her response is to fall to the ground with "uh-o whoopsie" -- I've had to learn to use my "be careful" wisely.

July 4th pool fun 

Cute things Lilly says to make up for the above:
"Please open" -- she's getting better with manners
"You okay, mama?" after I sneeze
While looking through her clothes in her closet she says, "So cute! Cute...blue, pink...cute!" --ha!
"Mmmmmmm deeeeelicious!!!" -- cracks me up

"Pleeeease mama, please please pleeeeeeaaasseee" -- she's mastering the art of begging but for now, it's still kinda cute & probably because she only uses it when 'necessary' :)
"Walk this way, mama" as she grabs my hand leading me to something.
"I go beach" -- repeat x100, she loves playing in the sand but "2" has brought a fear of the ocean so it's tough to take her alone since i over heat very easily and she refuses to get near the water, even tidal pools if we can find them. sigh.

Building her castle

First lunch and movie on the couch - 

she begged to watch "snowman" so we had lunch and watched Frozen together:)

Mickey has taken a back seat to his long time girl, Minnie. Lilly Rose has been obsessed with the mouse and her big cute pink bow. "Oh, Minnie is SO cute, Mama!" Minnie currently eats, sleeps and plays by Lilly's side all day long.

Here she's hosting a birthday party for Minnie :)

A growing love for cooking. She absolutely loves to help in the kitchen. It's impossible to tell her no unless I'm at the stove cooking. For prep work and baking or breakfast, i have extra helping hands. It's fun and there's nothing like that excited smile saying, "I did it, mama!" 

And i don't think her 2.5 post would be complete without mention of her heightened interest in the scary/dark side. She loves being scared and if given a choice she chooses the villain or "scary" cartoon. She's been asking about Disney World A LOT the past couple weeks (due to her Mary and Minnie love) and so we watch parades on YouTube. Lilly prefers the spooky Halloween parade instead of celebrate parade. 

She's a funny girl and I love every inch of her quirky-blond-big smile-full of joy self. 

Stats:
28-29lbs (she's teetering towards 29)
37" tall 
sz 5 diapers - just purchased sz 6 for the height purposes and we have taken a break on potty training bc LR started pushing back a little (on top of all the summer activity/trips) we are waiting. No rushing here! Taking her lead. 
Wearing 2t&3t and finding her voice in what she likes/dislikes, oh boy! ;)