Munchkin 2.5 Years

I started writing this back in February and never got it published. So even though Munchkin is closer to three than two and a half, I’m sharing anyway, so I can look back and remember.

There are days when I look at Munchkin and I just can’t believe that she’s two and a half.  Where has the time gone?  I feel like I’ve blinked and suddenly she’s huge.  She’s this little big person and has such a great personality.

Munchkin is a very affectionate girl. She’s always giving us hugs and kisses. Right now she loves to take your face in her hands and kiss one cheek, turn your head and kiss the other cheek and turn your head back and kiss the first cheek again. She’s also kissed my toes several times, as well as me knees, eyes, nose and belly. She’s been known to kiss a bum or two as well.  She likes to kiss Minnie and has kissed the Minnie on her potty. She’s also blown kisses to what’s in the potty after she’s gone. I was just thankful that she blew them and didn’t actually kiss it!  She’s also called it silly poop.  Just about everything is silly these days.  Silly Mama, Silly Daddy, Silly Munchkin, Silly Punkin, Silly Nana, Silly Molly, Silly yogurt, Silly choo-choo….you get the idea. 

Her favorite things to say are: I runnin’ (while running of course!), pee pee poop to tell us that she needs to go, I do it!, MINE!, Oh Man, No!,  Help me! and MY _____ (fill in the blank with mama, daddy, nana, etc.) The other day she said “Oh Boy!” and it was all I could do to not bust out laughing.  She’s so cute.  She’s learning new words and phrases everyday and we are continually amazed with some of the things that come out of her mouth.

The first six to eight weeks after Punkin arrived was rough. Munchkin’s world was turned upside down. She got a lot of time and attention from Daddy and Nana.  I was busy with Punkin, usually nursing her or trying to catch up on sleep myself.  I tried to give Munchkin as much attention as possible but I know she wanted and needed more from me.  It broke my heart and I missed her so much. I still miss that one on one time we used to have and I think I always will.  That time was so special and I treasure it.  After Christmas she started acting more like herself, the way she was before her sister was born.  Before she adjusted to the new normal she was sad.  She just seemed sad all the time. It was like she knew and she understood and was resigned to the new normal.  I’m thankful that she has never been anything but loving to her little sister.  Even during that time she loved to give her hugs and kiss her head.  Now she’ll tell me to put her down, usually so I can go cuddle her at quiet time. Munchkin LOVES it when I can get Punkin to sleep so I can cuddle her midday.  This is the only way Munchkin will nap these days.  I love any reason to cuddle with her, especially since our cuddle time is so limited these days. The other time we get some cuddles in is after Punkin goes to bed. I can usually get the baby down for the night around 7:30, so then Munchkin and I will watch a movie and snuggle.  I get more mom points when we have popcorn too.  I know she’s still adjusting but I’m thankful that it seems to be going well. 

Munchkin still doesn’t like pasta or bread very much.  Sometimes she’ll eat a PB& J or a grilled cheese but she has to be in the right mood.  She eats her hamburgers and hot dogs without bread and LOVES french fries.  She likes chicken and rice too.  She’ll down fruit and right now pineapple is her favorite though she also enjoys peaches and mandarin oranges.  She’ll do veggies if she’s in the right mood. 

There are other ways that I can tell she’s getting bigger too.  She’s finally enjoying play-doh.  She likes coloring on the easel she got for Christmas. She also loves to draw on the sliding door with dry erase maker.  Her princess little people are a favorite toy, as are her choo-choos.  She loves to play outside and can’t wait for it to get warm enough for the water table. She’s always asking for it!  She loves the princess movies and Ariel is still a favorite but Aurora is well loved as is Belle.  Munchkin loves Toy Story 2 and enjoys the first and third one as well.  And who could forget Pooh?  We still love Pooh and Piglet and Tigger and Eeyore.  Mickey, Minne, Donald and Goofy are also favorites and we talk about them often as well.

A favorite past time is singing.  We tend to sing the Alphabet song while going potty.  The Wheels on the Bus is a favorite as is Row, Row, Row Your Boat. She started singing along with the theme song from The Gilmore Girls and I realized that maybe I watch it more than I should!

Munchkin loves reading and has her favorites. I won’t lie, I’ve hidden a few of them because I needed a break.  I can only read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See so many times before losing my sanity. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud, and some Disney books are read and reread.  I love that she loves to read!

Munchkin loves “helping” in the kitchen.  I let her help when I can but other times she just watches and samples the veggies that I’ve cut.  She likes eating raw onion but doesn’t like carrots raw.  Sometimes she just needs me and it’s hard to try to cook when she’s like that.  I get so nervous with her around the stove.  Tonight I decided to pull out my Mei Tai and put her up on my back.  I was surprised when she agreed and even more surprised when she loved being back there!  I think I might be pulling it out more often!  I might need to check out a toddler carrier from our local babywearing library too.  We’re hoping to go to Disneyland right after Punkin turns 2 (yes, we plan ahead!) and it would be nice to wear Munchkin in line, even though she’ll be 4 then.  We’ll have to see!

I could go on and on as I just love this little girl to pieces.  She is my sunshine and I just love watching her grow.  I’m so blessed that I’m her mama!