Two YEARS of Kerrigan

Seriously, I have a 2 year old?!?!?!

My little Miss turned 2 on December 5th. I don't have the pictures of her actual birthday (ahem, week) since they are on the memory card from my old camera I will hopefully post those soon.

Here is the only picture I have of her opening a birthday present (the game Cootie from Matt and Suz's family-only fitting that this is what she was doing while opening it), and I only have it because we did it Christmas weekend. Isn't it a beaut?


The two words I would use to describe 2 year old Kerrigan are GOOFY:
(I realize this is blurry, still figuring out my camera, but shows my day to day Kerrigan to a T...looking a little wild, but happy as a clam)

...and MISCHIEVOUS.
(Also a blurry picture, but for a different reason. Mid-shot, Tucker started rolling off the couch. He was caught before plummeting downward, but she climbed out by the time my heart had slowed to a normal pace).

Literally on the stroke of midnight on her birthday, the terrible two's kicked in. Tantrums and messes ensued. At the time, Jared and I were completely caught off guard, but soon came up with a plan, which has for the most part worked on the tantrums. However, the mischief has only increased.

Part of me likes that she has become more adventurous, part of me misses the little baby who was content with playing with what was placed in front of her.

Either way, the girl can find her way into a sticky situation faster than anyone I have ever met. I took these pictures the other day. I had just cleaned the family room and left the room for a few minutes to throw in a load of laundry.

I returned to find this:

But where is the culprit? Oh, here she is, in the pantry trying to get at stuff she knows I won't give her.

I am still trying to figure out how she destroyed the family room, strip down to her diaper and get the goodies out of the pantry and the lids halfway off in a matter of minutes.

Now that the tantrums or more under control, she has returned to being a delightful toddler (I know, sounds like an oxymoron).

Growing up, my mom called me her joy child. That is exactly what Kerrigan is to me! She makes my day brighter just by being in it. She tests my patience sometimes, but is quick to forgive me when I fail to be the best I can be.

Baby K (we really need a new nickname, not so appropriate anymore) LOVES being around people. I love this picture. She has only seen Gail a few times, but warmed up to her very quickly this time. Gail said she was sitting on the couch and K came up and sat on her foot and asked for a ride...typical Kerrigan!
I love how this picture makes them look like old buddies!

She LovEs LOveS LOVES being a big sister. She is such a good helper these days. Sometimes she over loves on her "buddy", but is quick to inform me when Tucker is stinky or needs his Binky. Luckily for all of us, she has realized he is only 8 lbs smaller than her, so we haven't had any repeat incidents of her trying to carry him.

Her tender heart doesn't mix well with sleep training, so I often find her sneaking into his room when he is crying. I have a hard time being stern with her inability to let him cry.

Kerrigan has always been a chatterbox, but the things she says are starting to get more and more funny. Here are a few of our favorite Kerrigan-isms:

"I scewed" (everything is scary these days. She also labels things as scary, dat scewy dada, dat scewy gwanpa, etc.)

After every activity she does, she lets me know she enjoyed it with "Had fun nursery, had fun daddy, had fun bath," etc.

Every morning I wake up to, "Come in Mama, come GET ME!!!" in her sweet helium voice (which is just how she talks, cracks me- and everyone else- up)

Her prayers are awesome. She is thankful for the most random things, such as daddy's eyebrows, all the letters, the fans and brother's source of food (when I am nursing during prayer).

"It's ok sweet bruder boy!"

Her favorite foods are mackey cheese, cheesy crispies and canteen (or candy, as the general population refers to it)

She only speaks in sentences. Everything is "I hear..." or "I see...", instead of just the word.

My personal favorite, when looking at a picture of our wedding, "Its a BEEEEAUTIFUL mama!"

My sweet, sweet Kerrigan Rose,

It really seems like yesterday that we were waiting for you to come to us. When we found out you were finally on your way, I remember thinking how lucky we were that you had chosen us! And when you arrived, I realized you were worth every second of those years of prayers, tears and pleading. You are my joy child, and bring me such happiness every day.

I know you won't fully understand how much Daddy and I love you until you have a child of your own, but maybe then you will read this and know what we feel for you!

Thank you so much for being so patient with me as I learn what it means to be a good mother. Thank you for loving me even when I am not perfect.

Thank you for being you!

I can't wait to see what is in store for you in the next 2, 10, 20 and 50+ years!

Love,

Mama