urbansuburban (a Gillefond adventure): Happy 2nd Birthday, Mathilda!

Elephant in the background. It was the best I could do at 7am

So it happened. We have a two year old. A running, laughing, singing, TALKING, playing, helping, independent, sweet, sensitive, caring 2 year old.

outtakes....

crying because I wanted to take her picture. And because she had to go to school (see previous post).

Oh what a year, Mathilda!

This year you learned to walk, then run, and now hop and skip and dance. You are totally potty trained as well! People said we were crazy, but by 19mo you were only in diapers for naps and overnight, and now even those are dry! Your vocabulary expanded from a few single word utterances to full adult-length sentences that amaze us and anyone lucky enough to talk to you. Do other parents squeal in excitement when their child correctly produces a simile? Patrick at school has glasses like Daddy. OMG.

You are so independent. I love that about you. It's something I hope you never lose. But oh how your independence frustrates me! I try to be understanding. And I know that's a little bit (a lot of bits?) of me coming out in you, so I really shouldn't get so bothered. I'm sorry if I get frustrated and snap at you too often. And I promise I'm learning to take deep breaths and go with your flow. Your favorite phrase is "I do it myself!" And do-it-yourself you do!

You love helping us with everything we do (but don't so much love us helping you). Your favorite activities include pulling your stool up to the kitchen counter and "helping" prepare food. As the weather warms, you have also loved "helping" in the garden. Your daddy was so excited showing you how to plant the sugar snap peas, water the strawberry plants, and rake the dirt.

You have an amazing memory. Which means we get away with nothing. You remember trivial events from weeks ago. You keep us honest! Even at your young age, you don't accept baby explanations. We've learned this as we try to explain why we can't go back to Haiti "RIGHT NOW" as you insist, or why Foster is no longer at Mimom's house ("he's dead, and Mimom took him somewhere?" you asked me just 2 days ago. Oh, kiddo, help me explain!) You remember that Uncle Patrick is getting married to Catherine, just like how Maria married the Captain in the Sound of Music (yes, she made that association on her own). You remember your classmate's names, every "boo boo" you've ever incurred, what happens at the Doctor's office ("lay down and look in your ears, mama!"), the restaurant with the french fries (Park Bruge, in case you're interested), and that mommy and daddy go to work, but Tilly goes to school. How is there so much space in that brain?

You know your shapes, colors, and alphabet. You know that your "whole name" is MathildaLafond (pronounced as one word) and that Mathilda starts with M and Tilly starts with T. You can count to 11 in French and English. Your French- oh my goodness! You have learned to speak French to your Papa and English to your Mama, and your ability to fluidly switch between the two is awesome. You will say Merci to him and Thank you to me, among a million other distinctions that I can't even write because I don't know half of what you say in French! (I know, I know, I'm learning. Help me, Rosetta Stone!)

One of my favorite things about you is your love of music! You have memorized The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins and love singing them, or, as you like to instruct us, "let's sing it together!" You make up songs about your day, your parents, your toys. You can sing for hours in the car, content to entertain yourself with remixes of your favorite songs. I love when we snuggle in the rocking chair in your room at night and you sing along with your requested lullabyes. Favorites being Blackbird (or, Blackbird Night, to you), I Will (I love you song), Edelweiss (Edel-wife).

I love watching you grow into a little person with a HUGE personality. You are a unique being. Everyone who meets you, loves you. I hope we can continue to help guide your little life in your own direction. I know every stage comes with its challenges and I hope we can navigate it "all together" as you like to say. I love having the privilege of raising such a wonderful little lady, and I hope you know somewhere in that big beautiful mind of yours, that your mama and papa love you very much and everything we do is for you.

Happy Birthday, Bear!