Aspen's 2nd Birthday

July 9, 2015

Normally I have a 4th of July BBQ at our house and celebrate Aspen's birthday, but this year Lacey hosted the 4th of July bash.  So we had a smaller party on Aspen's birthday to celebrate.

Aspen woke up to decorations and balloons all over the house for her special day.  I think she was a bit confused. 

 

We decided to get her a new tricycle and little car (we bought cheaply from the neighbor) as some of her presents.  She LOVED the car.  She sat in that car all morning long and sits in it all the time outside.  She won't let anyone else near it.

 

 

Aspen is such a silly girl.  She is definitely a challenge for me, but I love her with all my heart.  I think Aspen and I (and Isaac too) have very similar personalities, so there can be a lot of stubbornness and butting of heads.  People always say that you shouldn't compare your kids, but Sophie and Aspen are complete opposites. 

 

Aspen is very physical, she is good at running, climbing, and has so much energy.  But she has absolutely no interest in academic things.  She doesn't know her numbers, alphabet, or colors at all.  She is aware of the categories, so if I ask her "what color is this?" she will respond with a color, but she doesn't care at all if it's the right one or not--in fact most of the time she won't even bother to look at what I'm pointing to before guessing a color.

 Aspen likes to read, but she doesn't like us to be in charge of holding the book or turning the pages.  So it makes reading really difficult.

We have been trying to potty train Aspen a little bit.  She was doing okay until she realized that's what we wanted her to do.  So then she rebelled and refused to sit on the potty for a while.  I tried coaxing her into it by telling her she could wear big girl panties and so her idea was to wear them over her clothes.  And yes, I did take her out in public like that because she refused to let me take them off before we went grocery shopping.

Aspen is very serious and doesn't smile and laugh easily.  She is definitely a tease and the thing that brings her the most pleasure is provoking Sophie by stealing her toys and running away.

Aspen is still very needy, but not cuddly.  She wants to be held all the time, but she never sits still.

She is a really good eater and usually eats way more than Sophie does.  She typically eats 2+ bowls of cereal for breakfast and a big lunch, but she isn't much of a dinner person.

She is talking quite well and I can usually understand most of what she is saying.  People keep telling me that Aspen has wonderful characteristics for an adult--she strong willed, stubborn, independent, determined, etc., but difficult characteristics for a mother raising a two year old.  So assuming she can make it to adulthood ;) we have high hopes for her.