Little Miss is Two.

Maelle Mai turned two on Friday. Two years old. A-mazing! Erik and I made it out to her birthday party on Friday. She seemed pretty excited to see him as it has been well over a month since they last played together.

I can't believe it has already and only been two years since this little girl came into our lives. It feels like just yesterday (or maybe last week) that I was supporting Milena as she laboured for hours and hours in an attempt to bring this little (10lb 9oz) darling into the world. And, at the same time, it feels as though I have loved her forever.

I have loved being an auntie to Maelle -- she makes it so easy to adore her. She continues to have a delightful and rambunctious personality. I love when she plunks herself down in my lap with whatever toy she is playing with or whatever book she is reading. And I especially love it when she comes just for a cuddle. She has an impressive grasp of linguistics and is full of giggles, kisses, hugs and joy.

Maelle takes a little while to wake up and I hear her playing in her bed for a while. I can tell when she is getting restless and ready to come out and if I don't go in to get her quickly enough she cries. She goes from happily playing to tears in a split second and it makes me laugh and means I get the best snuggles when I retrieve her. If I go in before the tears she will look up from whatever she is doing and say "Oh hi Auntie Ashley". It's pretty adorable.

Maelle will sometimes ask for something without saying please and when I say "what do you say??" she will repeat back "what do you say??" without even thinking because she is so used to repeating what people say to her. So instead of just asking I have had to repeat the full sentence back to her with please tacked on the end so she will say it.

Like any two-year-old, Maelle makes frequent attempts to establish her independence. She can be defiant and does not like being told no (but then who does?). When she is frustrated with me she frowns and refuses to make eye contact. She cries when she doesn't get her way and when she is tired. Distractions and redirection works wonders when she is frustrated and time-outs seem to be rather effective when she needs discipline.

Little Miss has an impressive grasp of linguistics and is full of giggles, kisses, hugs and joy. Oh! Another one of my favourite things is conversations that go like this:

LM: canahafdoos?

Me: What do you want?

LM: canahafdoos?

Me: You want some juice?

LM: Okay! 

(little does she know I never have juice in the house)

This happens multiple times a day; Maelle will ask for something and then act like I was offering it when I clarify. What a stinker.

Maelle Mai, I love you something fierce. You are and will always be welcome at Auntie's house. You make me smile, you warm my heart and you make me feel loved. You are playful and sweet and entirely adorable. We love you so very much and are so thankful to be a part of your life. Happy Birthday!