An open letter to my daughter on her second birthday

Following on the tradition from last year, this is an open letter to my daughter, Elsie, on your second birthday. I can’t believe we have had two years of you – where has that time gone?

This time last year I shared my first open letter to mark your first birthday.

It feels like I’ve blinked and you’ve transformed from this smiley placid baby into this sassy, inquisitive, and outgoing toddler with all this blonde hair!

We managed to celebrate your first birthday with family and the following weekend with friends, here is a look back on your first birthday celebrations.

This time last year you still didn’t have much hair, although it had definitely turned blonde and now you can wear bunches!

Well what a year it has been Elsie my goodness I don’t think any of us expected any of this and that we would still be amidst a global pandemic in July 2021 but you’ve just taken all of the chaos in your stride.

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What are you like right now?

You are an absolute character and continue to surprise us every day.

Much like your mammy, you’re quite the chatterbox and are saying new words and phrases every single day.

Just last weekend when climbing up on daddy he picked you up above his head and you said tall completely unprompted.

You are cheeky, funny, and very caring.

It’s wonderful to see how confident you are becoming and the friendships you have built at nursery.

When I drop you off on a morning it’s rare that we aren’t greeted by a welcome committee with chants of your name and your little friends rushing to the gate for a hug and to take your hand. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me feel.

You are pushing the boundaries a lot at the moment but we know this is developmental albeit challenging!

We are all working together to help you work through these emotions.

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What do you love right now?

Reading is still one of your favourite things to do and something we love to do together.

You will grab your favourite books and plonk yourself on my knee or daddy’s so we can read them together.

Books that have things you can open are what you’re enjoying reading together the most.

Playing with dolls both at home and nursery remains one of your favourite pastimes.

Although you sometimes bash their heads or drop them, you are so caring and kind to your dolls.

You stroke their tummies, gently shush them, wrap them in blankets and share your water with your beloved dolls.

Your love of animals has not faded. We managed a visit with Nanny and Pops to Hall Hill Farm and you were in your absolute element.

You love counting and colours – you are able to say blue red, yellow, green, black, brown, pink and my favourite purple!

Building towers with your blocks and naming the different colours is something you enjoy a lot especially when you knock them down!

Your love of songs and rhymes has continued and now you like to join in with the words and actions, particularly row row row your boat, sleeping bunnies, baby shark and dingle dangle scarecrow!

Being inquisitive is definitely a big love of yours whether that’s putting all the pieces together in your puzzles, building train tracks with daddy, or putting together the straps on your highchair and favourite spotty bag.

You love to climb whether that’s the sofa or other things here at home or the play equipment when you’re at nursery.

Using chalks, pens and pencils for mark making is something you also enjoy to do.

I think it’s safe to say you know what you like and dislike and are not afraid to let us know.

You are developing a fierce independence that I think is a trait from me – especially when it comes to what you want to do, what food you want to eat and wanting to do things for yourself.

Filling and emptying continue to be something you enjoy to do particularly if water is involved!

Although you’re turning your nose up at some things you still very much love food and you are enjoying independence here too – drinking well from an open cup, pouring your own water at nursery and carrying your plate and cutlery yourself.

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Milestones this past year

We are so proud of you for overcoming the challenge of your left foot turning inwards and the fear of walking unaided.

Just this week you have been officially discharged from the physiotherapy team because of the amazing progress you have made and we are so proud of you.

You are now predominantly walking (and now running) around and I am just so thrilled you have found your feet!

As well as finding your feet this year you’ve certainly found your voice.

You’re such a chatterbox now and it’s clear that you’re enjoying saying new words and expressing yourself loudly.

We recently started to introduce the potty with varying levels of success but I know that you will crack this when you are ready.

The transition from the baby room at nursery to the next one started several weeks ago and your confidence is growing as you spend more and more time in this new room.

Although I am incredibly sad for you to leave the baby room with the wonderful practitioners we have all made strong connections with, we all know you are so ready for this next chapter and challenge and that you will continue to flourish.

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My hopes for this year

I hope you continue to enjoy, learn and develop at nursery and settle into your new room.

As the pandemic still rages on and we’ve continued to be separated from family and friends, I hope that we can see them all soon so they can see just how much you have grown and developed.

I hope you are happy and healthy and continue to challenge yourself.

You are just an absolute joy and you really light up our lives and we know we are so incredibly lucky to be your parents. You are so loved little girl.

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Other related posts

Here’s how I got on modelling maternity sportswear

I had a fantastic Maternity VIP Experience with JoJo Maman Bébé 

Here’s some tips to turn your spare room into a nursery

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