Dear Izzy,
You are now officially Two and a half! I literally have no idea where that time has gone, but what fun we have had! You're speech is incredible and you amaze me every day with the new, funny little things you come out with!! Some of your favourite things to call me at the moment are..."Mummykins/ Mummychops / Mummypud which is just hilarious as you just throw it in to general conversation!
You have now started nursery!! Daddy and I decided to send you, just for four hours a week, 9-11 on a Monday and a Friday, because we knew how much you would love it! You're confidence is really blooming at the moment and you love any opportunity to make new friends!You weren't phased by being left in a new place at all. On your first induction day, mummy stayed in the room, but was busy filling in paperwork, off you went, and you didn't once look back! You headed straight over to get an apron and play in the water. I couldn't take my eyes off of you as you then proceeded to go round each child and ask their name, saying "I'm Isabelle Verona Elce, it's nice to see you!" I almost cried with pride!
You came home with your first ever piece of homework the other day which daddy and I really enjoyed helping you with! It's so hard to believe that this time last year you were unable to walk, and were really still my little baby. Now, we can have full conversations with you, and we do (constantly!!) You're a real chatterbox, so once you and I get chatting, daddy can barely get a word in edge ways!
You're starting to get a bit of a temper, which shows itself every now and then, but that's just your age and we're working through it. Its a tricky age, having to learn to share, and that you don't always get your own way is a tough lesson to learn! The majority of the time though, you are the happiest, smiliest, most amazing little thing in the world and we are so so proud of you!
We've been doing a lot of work with letters, and learning their sounds lately. One night, you and I had a bath together, and mummy spelt out several words on the wall with your bath letters. We sounded out each letter and spent a while learning and practicing them. The next day, I wrote all of the words out, not expecting you to remember them, you sat and read every one of them to me! Absolutely amazing!
You can now pretty much count to twenty, with a little prompting sometimes. 9 out of 10 times you'll correctly be able to tell us which is your left and your right, you know pretty much all of the shapes and colours and you can now sing many songs all the way through (including several Liverpool songs thanks to daddy!)Your gross motor skills are coming on a treat! Your confidence with climbing has suddenly cone from nowhere and you're straight up the steps on the BIG slide on the park now! Yesterday, you learnt to jump properly, taking both feet off of the floor, before you just sort of bent your knees then sprung a little which was always funny to watch!
I couldn't possibly write about all of the times that you've made us laugh, but I have to mention this particular time earlier tonight...I was busy cooking in the kitchen, you were standing behind me chattering away. All of a sudden it went quiet for a minute, then you said "Look mummy, I look like a penguin!" ... I turned around and you were standing there with your feet in my oven gloves!! This is a typical example of what a funny little character you are! You have the ability to brighten even the darkest of days <3
Dear Chloe,
At almost 8 months old you now weigh 21lb 2oz!!! So you didn't stay my little baby for long, but every little ounce of you is completely cheeky, and utterly beautiful. Before you were born I'd almost convinced myself that you'd be a grumpy baby, as I was sure we wouldn't be lucky enough to have two such smiley little beauties, yet here you are, constantly beaming and giggling at anything and everything!
You're sitting up completely on your own now, and you're really wanting to be on the move! You get frustrated if anything is out of your reach that you want to play with, and put such determination into trying to get to it! Your giggle is completely infectious, and we hear a lot of that! You love 'kiss attacks' and pretty much anything Isabelle does makes you giggle!
We've been signing to you since you were born, and to my delight you signed 'more' to me while you were eating your toast the other day which was just incredible!
We now have two teeth called Eric and Stanley (silly mummy) which are going to transform you from my little gummy bear to my cheeky monkey!
You've tried a fair few finger foods now, which had mummy on the edge of her seat with nerves to begin with, but now I've seen what a pro you are at chewing I've relaxed a lot more! Your favourite is definitely toast!
We're still not quite sleeping through the night yet, but that's ok, I need to make the most of these midnight smiles while they last. Unfortunately we don't have midnight cuddles anymore, I just feed you while you're still laid in bed, as you then go back to sleep whilst feeding. We find that if we lift you out you wake up a lot more, and there isn't anywhere for us to sit in your room anyway.The health visitor has just paid her last visit to us at home, and taken away your breathing monitor which feels a little weird, as she's been coming every couple of weeks since you were born. It feels almost as if your not a baby anymore, but you'll always be my baby!
We've recently got the "Jumperoo" out for you, so we officially need an extension, but its worth it because you love it, and really burn some energy off in there!
You are a very difficult little thing when it comes to nappy changing, as you just don't lie still!! The minute we put you down you're trying to roll on to your tummy so its fun and games, and often a very messy job getting you changed!
Just like your sister, you have to have something to cuddle to get you to sleep, either a really soft teddy or a blanket. You have a lovely soft dressing gown which you are favouring at the moment. You've also started to do the funny little tired noise that Isabelle's done since she was your age! This can be hilarious when we're all in the car together as the pair of you take it in turns!
We took you for you're first ever swim last week which you absolutely loved!! That was one of the only nights you've ever slept through to!! You're definitely another little water baby!!
xxxxxxxxx
So to sum up, every single day with you both is just everything I've ever dreamed of. Daddy's given up refereeing at weekends so we're having some perfect family time together which is just what I've always wanted! You both make us so proud and it melts us how much you love each other!
Keep smiling girls, those smiles melt so many hearts <3
Love always,
Mummy x x x
