Peg’s Journal

Over the weekend Ashlyn turned 29 months. Fun, wonderment, felicity, love, and pride doesn’t begin to describe the way I feel about her. I wholeheartedly love being her mom, teacher, and friend.

I’m not sure if she got taller or heavier in the past month, but she has developed a hearty appetite since we moved to my folks’.
A couple of weeks ago, she alarmed me with her frequent bowel movements. I’m far from squeamish, but changing poopy diapers isn’t something I enjoy…so when she does her business, a part of me is relieved to get that over with for the day. Imagine my horror when she was having not 1….not 2…but THREE poops in a single day! ….and not just one or two days, but for nearly a week! Because of that, I wanted to cut off her food supply. HAHAHA! Kidding….of course. HAHAHA!

Anyhow….even though I don’t notice small changes on a daily basis, when I actually stop and think about it, I’m able to pick out certain things.
For starters, Ashlyn is talking a lot more, and has started using big words (ie…”beautiful“, “favorite“, and “delicious“), and other words like, “pretty please!”. Of course, she uses her charming dispostion and those words when she’s trying to get out of trouble. *squint eyes* Evil, I tell ya!
All those around her have to be very careful of what they say and do in her presence…she has started repeating things you say (swearing included) and imitating your actions.
She is super curious and inquisitive. Right now, she continues to ask, “What is that?” all the time…and I’m sure the infamous, “Why?” will follow shortly.
With her being able to communicate better, she has begun to understand rationale. Of course, there are moments when her stubbornness rules all.
Ashlyn is extremely independent…she likes and wants to do everything herself. Which I’m sure is a good trait…but sometimes it’s just easier if I do it. She is exhibiting improvements in dressing and feeding herself though.
A clear example of her curiosity and independence, is the way she lugs her step-stool everywhere so she can get into EVERYTHING! And when I hid put the step-stool away, she will push a heavy dining chair all around the house as an alternative. *shake head* She’s so determined!
Oh, and can I tell you how vain she’s become?! She loves to admire herself in the mirror, put on mommy’s lipgloss, have her toenails painted, and often says “Ashlyn preety“. I love it though!!! It’s the only time she acts girly.

Currently, Ashlyn loves music, singing, and dancing. Aside from her kiddie tunes, she’s been picking up songs from the radio …like Usher’s “Yeah” and J-Kwon’s “Tipsy”….and can sing along to the chorus, too *scary*
She now has the ability to sit through a full length movie. She’s totally into all the Disney animated movies - “Monsters, Inc.”, “Finding Nemo”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Lion King (part 1 and 1 1/2)”, “Lilo & Stitch”, “Toy Story (I and II)”, “A Bug’s Life”, etc…and she can watch them over and over and over again.
Because of her cousin, Marisa, Ashlyn’s graduated from Playhouse Disney to Zoog Disney - “Even Stevens”, “Kim Possible”, “Lizzie McGuire”, “House of Mouse”, “Recess”, “The Proud Family”, “That’s So Raven”, and “Lilo & Stitch the Series”.

I can go on and on….but I’ve covered most of it. Some memories are harder to describe, but leaves such a strong imprint on your heart.
Ashlyn’s turning into such a big little girl. < -- major oxymoron, but you know what I mean.
My parents oftentimes are in awe and disbelief that she's nearly 2 1/2 years old. They love to bring up the fact that when I was her age, I was a clingy lil' cry-baby who needed to be carried, pampered, and everything done for her. Hmmmm…ain’t nuthin’ changed.