Two-and-a-half

Darling two-and-a-half...

When all skirts are tutus, and singing means going "sing oh sing oh sing!"

Darling little chatter-box, who goes on and on in sentences, but still calls "milk" "milp" and "Grandpa" "Bapum" and "I love you" "I yot you!"

Precious child, those "I yot you"s now come unsolicited, and you delight our hearts. We marvel to hear the little thoughts forming in your mind being expressed in your speech. Yet, as we see the imago dei steadily blossoming in your little life, we also see more and more clearly how that image has been marred by the sin we have all inherited. O, Lord, make us faithful and make our weak efforts effective by Your Spirit to the salvation of your never-dying soul!

You recognize your numbers and all your capital letters, little one. You're learning to count objects, and you know your colors and shapes. Just today, when asked what your favorite color is, you said for the first time,"I yite purpoo and yeyyow!" When I ask about Sunday School, you always tell me that you sang holy, holy, holy and learned about God.  You're about halfway potty-trained.

Uncle Derek is "Uckum Guk" and Aunt Liz is "Aunt Yiz" and Aunt Heidi is still Hockey. :) Your sister really loves you. You're always trying to give her her pacifier, and she just stares at you adoringly.

It thrills my heart to sit with you and read Little Bear and Blueberries for Sal and your collection of Beatrix Potter books-- though some of her stories are rather odd!  

We love you our little one, our big girl, our Gemma Grace.