Our cheeky little Stella is two years old today.

She’s definitely not a baby any more.  The last two years have flown by.  And how she has changed!

She came into the world after a quick, induced labour, well and truly over-cooked.  But she was alert and enthusiastic right from the start.  We had lots of breastfeeding problems over the first few months, but persevered together and in the end she breastfed until she was almost 17 months old.  I am so glad I was able to do that for her.  Stella was happy to go to almost anyone, and settled into childcare without any difficulties. 

By one year old she was walking, running, climbing, and generally getting into mischief.  Still tiny, still alert, and very agile.  Stella slept well, ate whatever was put in front of her, and loved stories, music, and her big sister.

And now she is two.  Still alert, agile, exploring, loving music, singing, dancing, stories, and her big sister.  She still sticks two fingers in her mouth when she’s sleepy and cuddles her bunny.  Her hair has finally grown into soft curls and has lightened from red to strawberry blonde.  Her vocabulary has expanded enormously and she is putting two or three words together, although it’s hard to understand what she is saying.  She loves to play with other kids, sneaks into Clare’s classroom at school at every opportunity, and particularly likes to look at babies.  Stella loves us to read to her, loves us to cuddle her, and loves to snuggle with Clare in bed at night before I move her into the cot.  She climbs, jumps, bounces, and has such a high tolerance for pain and discomfort that it sometimes worries me.  She copies her big sister, and is absorbing everything she sees happening around her.  Stella is happy and energetic and keeps me on my toes, but is a constant delight.  We love you very much, our little Stella.  Happy 2nd Birthday!