Dear Claire Elaine Eberle, today you are TWO! Daddy and I can hardly believe this day is here. You’re no longer our baby…now you’re our precious little girl.

Eating: A lot…you’re the best eater we know. And that’s a great thing! You still prefer fruits and veggies and fish…but you’ve also discovered french fries and cake. Get it, girl. You’re tall and thin and watching you enjoy your meals is such a delight. You still won’t try eggs (seriously?!), but that’s the only strong aversion you have. Otherwise, you’ve mastered the fork and spoon, the straw, and are learning the big cup. Water is your beverage of choice, mainly because we rarely offer you anything else. And more often than not, mealtime ends in a science experiment — you love mixing foods and stuffing them down your straw. It’s all well and good until you “clear” your plate…throwing leftovers off your tray. We probably need a dog.

Sleeping: Oh, lovely wonderful girl. You must know that your Mommy and Daddy require loads of sleep because you’re a regular Rip Van Winkle. You dropped the morning nap a few months back, but you’re still giving us a 3-hour afternoon nap, plus 10 hours overnight without a peep. Your bedtime routine is a little more involved these days…you have a bath (which is special Daddy time), say prayers (where you choose your favorite people), read 3-5 stories (you love Carl books, The Little Engine that Could, and anything by Boynton), and then Mommy turns out the light and we sing a few songs. Long gone are the days of the empty crib….you have about a dozen stuffed animal friends and 2 or 3 favorite “blankies” each night.

Playing: Trains. It’s all about trains these days. You call most anything with wheels a “choo choo,” and have quite the imagination as you ping pong around your playroom. You also love blocks, puzzles, bubbles, your tunnel and tent, your plethora of doll babies and stroller, your toy kitchen, and your cash register. You’re quite creative, and Mommy and Daddy have started hanging your artwork in the playroom. We took you to 2 weeks of camp at Discovery Place Kids, and you’re still so proud of your creations from your time there!

Likes:
Water — We just got home from a week at the beach and you were a dream! You love water of all kinds…pool, lake, sea. You’re learning to “splash,” and are becoming more confident by the day.

Songs — Girl, you love to sing. Favorites are ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, If You’re Happy and You Know It, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus Loves Me, and Ring Around the Rosie. You amaze us with how many letters and lyrics you know and belt out. There’s a little drama in everything you do.

Numbers and Letters — If we ask how many of anything you want, your stand-by answer is TWO. Then you’ll change your mind, saying 15 or 7 or 4 or 12. You love to count and can get to 10 slowly on your fingers. You’re also pretty good at picking out letters you recognize, especially C and O and I and S. Amazing.

Animals —You know a ton of animal noises, and absolutely flip anytime you see a new critter. You aren’t fond of ants, but otherwise you know no enemy. In fact, today you had me sculpt a “snake family” from Play-Doh. Dogs and cats (especially dogs) are still your very favorite, and we’re actually asking folks to bring donations for the animal shelter instead of gifts to your party this year. Do we have a future veterinarian on our hands?

Friends and Family — Your best buddies are Audrey, Kate, and Isaac — and any kid at church that will let you steal their toys. You’ve learned most all the names of your relatives (no easy feat!), and although you have an initial tendency to be shy during visits…soon you’re giving hugs and kisses freely.

Dislikes: Getting your hair washed, being told “no,” getting in your carseat, SHARING, or really making you do anything you don’t want to do. You’re extremely independent and have a determination that rivals any adult. Once you set your mind to something, it’s hard to convince you otherwise. We think this will be a great trait when you’re older…but it makes a great challenge for us now.

What’s Ahead: You’ve been an absolute champ adjusting to a new house and new routines in these last few months. Julie and Audrey just moved in next door, which has been a DREAM for both mommies and daughters. In September you’ll start preschool at Mt. Zion. You’ll be going two days a week, and I think you’ll thrive. You love kids and learning and exploring, and your curiosity is endless. You’re still opinionated and feisty, though, so I hope we don’t hear from the principal!

The “twos” are known for being quite terrible, but we’re determined to enjoy these fleeting days. As the last 730 have shown, time passes so very quickly. Thank you for being you, sweet Ruby. You’ve added life to our days and joy to our life.

Our love forever,
Mommy and Daddy