Beatrice at Two and a Half Years

Dear Beatrice,

Today you are two and a half years old. I can't help but ask myself where the time went. It seems like just yesterday you were a baby in my arms, and now you are this little person, this little girl. Some days I just can't get over it. It's been an amazing ride, these last couple of years. Quite a ride, indeed.

Over the last several months you've turned heads everywhere. Your counting? It's off the charts and going into the 20's. The alphabet? You know it like the back of your hand. You struggled for a little while with "L, M, N, O", but you've got it down perfectly now. Colors? Don't even go there with you. You even know black and white, and let's not forget pink. Sometimes you try to fool us by saying the wrong color, but I think you are only teasing, because when asked again you get it right.

In addition to the basic things like colors and the alphabet, the words you know and say surprise everyone. Cactus. How would you know that? Thorns. Yeah, they are sharp and you need to stay away from them. Crap. There's one that you only said a couple of times and quickly forgot. An egg hatches. What in the?? Oh, and your name? This amazes me...you go around saying "I'm Beatrice." And when someone asks what your last name is, you quickly respond with "Beatrice K******". It makes me smile every single time. Every single time.


You know that "Saturday" is the day that your father is home in the morning and you can't wait to see him, but on the weekdays you can't understand why he didn't say goodbye to you. This is just one instance where I am trying to learn how to explain things to you in a way that makes sense. Sometimes it's hard because I really didn't expect this from you so soon.

Your grandma and grandpa T were out here for an entire month, and we spent the fourth of July with them. This was the first year ever that you actually saw fireworks (the last two years entailed you sleeping one time and having a high fever the other). You were so excited to see the fireworks, and we talked about seeing them all day long. When it came time to go you were trying to rush everyone around because we thought we were going to be late. In the car, you told everyone to be quiet and that we had to hurry - all in a whisper. When the fireworks started, you sat in my arms and oohed and aahed, laughed and clapped. Then you laid down next to your father and watched them from that point of view. When they were over, you were a bit disappointed. How could they be over with all of that anticipation you experienced? For the next couple of days that was all you talked about...now you realize that they are all done until next year. Your father and I think that it will probably be your first real memory. We hope so, because it was a memorable time.


Speaking of grandma and grandpa T, you spent a lot of time with them while they were here. You went swimming with your grandmother quite a bit, and she even got you out on her kickboard. You had a lot of fun, but I think you were very concerned about their dog, Abby, the most. Grandma also spruced up your blanket, and now it has more years of enjoyment to come. In any case, I am glad you spent time with them because they sure enjoyed spending time with you.


Your favorite place to go right now is the Rose Garden by our house. Nearly every day we gather up pennies and walk over to the rose garden fountain. You throw your pennies in there and you love running around and looking and smelling the roses. Otherwise, a good portion of your time is spent outdoors...that is where you love to be most.


I have also noticed over the last couple of months how much you are turning into a girl. We had a nail and toe painting session that was very memorable. You had pink fingernails and toes and just adored them. After I painted them, I just looked at you and you appeared so grown up. Then I thought about how I can't wait to take you to the salon with me someday and get pedicures. I'm looking forward to that, but I can wait. Right now I am just enjoying watching you and the way you see everything. Things are so different from your perspective - so simple, yet so complicated. Almost unexplainable.

Beatrice, you are more than amazing.

You are so intelligent, so unique, and so beautiful.

Just what will you be like when you grow up?

If it's anything like what I have seen over the last two and a half years, the world is so incredibly luck to have you.

My Beatrice. I am so glad you're my daughter.

I love you,
Mama