I can't believe how the time flies! It's amazing. Just last night, I was holding this tiny, perfect newborn in my arms. And now she's nearly two, and changing so much every day! Jus the other day I had to go out and buy her new shoes and pajamas. The 2Ts just barely fit, so we went with two pairs of 3Ts and rolled the cuffs. We skipped righ over size 6 shoes and bought size 6 1/2.

She really talking, and has even begun to learn the words to a few songs. Our favorite is the ABC song, but Jade also likes The Itsy Bitsy Spider, I wish I had a Little Brown Box, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She can say tons of words. She's very polite (most of the time!) and can say please, thank you (muck mommy!), and welcome. If you ask her, "What do you say?" Her reply is often, "Say...? Plea?" She probably knows about two dozen other words, but I have given up counting. She is way too smart!

Jade has an enormous appetite for reading. Her favorite book is Pooh's Learning Fun, a very nice book that Nana Mary gave her. She can "read" many of the words and letters in it, as well as counting to three when she sees the numbers. Her favorite page shows a lion. When she sees it, she says, "Lion. Rrrroar!" and laughs.

With as sweet and wonderful she is, it's sometime hard to imagine why people call the upcoming year the "Terrible Twos." But I sure do know why it's called that! I am finding that she is developing and growing so much more quickly that my parenting skills. I can't keep up with her! Plus, she is just beginning to develope a strong sense of independence and identity. What a trip this next year is going to be! I will be sure to let you know if my attitude of parenting positively survives the upcoming storms.

Wish me luck!

September 16, 2000