What Emma Loves at Two

I had so many pictures from Emma's birthday that I decided to divide up the post instead of deleting photos.  So, here is Emma at two...

Emma loves to be naked.  I found her taking a break on the rocking chair the other day and had to take a picture of my cutie.

 She also has a great sense of humor, and loves to make us laugh.  She likes to tell us we have to say "Abre!" (open in Spanish, used frequently in Dora) to get through a door she is blocking.  She also enjoys hiding things behind her back and asking us, "Which hand?"  But her favorite thing to do is tell us our, "Butt crack" is showing whenever anyone bends over - whether it is showing or not.

Emma is almost as talkative as her older sister and we sometimes still have trouble deciphering what she is saying.  In social settings, Emma prefers to observe the situation first before joining in.  After she warms up however, she is literally unstoppable and puts every fiber of her being into whatever it is that she has decided to do.  Here she is below playing with the parachute at story time - she has not completely warmed up to the idea yet.

Emma loves balls and is really good at kicking and throwing them too.  It goes without saying that she loves to climb and physically interact with her world.  I find it ironic that she is always humming the song "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed."

Emma loves singing and can sing the words to most of the top 25 pop songs right now and when a song comes on the radio, within the first three seconds she knows which family member likes the song and points it out to us.  Her all time favorite song is still "The Wheels on the Bus."

Emma loves any sort of processed meat - hot dogs and sausage being at the top of her list.  Will and I were still making dinner when I caught her swiping a hot dog off of the table.

Emma loves most foods actually, and is always the first at the table when we say that a meal is ready.  Here she is below at her friend Grace's Tinkerbell Birthday party, wearing her own princess outfit while enjoying a slice of cake.

Emma also loves getting her hands on my phone.  It is amazing how fast she can get to the camera on there.  Here she is below taking a self-portrait.

Emma loves snuggling.  She is very affectionate and is always telling each of us in random moments throughout the day that she loves us.  She even compliments us on our attire when it seems like we are having a rough time.  The other day she had an accident and as I was cleaning up after her she said, "Mama, I like your outfit!"  Well played Emma!  I have a maternity sweater that I still wear around the house on chilly days and she loves it when I wrap her up in it.  Here we are below wrapped up in my sweater.

Emma loves our chickens.  This is a relief, because she is deathly afraid of most other animals including dogs and cats.  But she seems to have no fear of the chickens, and loves it when we let a few out in the yard so she can play with them, feed them, and boss them around.

And Emma is finally old enough for her very own apple tree!  Will made one for her over his spring break and she is so proud of it!

So far, the only thing that seems to motivate Emma is who gets to tuck her in for naps and bedtime.  Threatening the loss of a story before bed, or not getting to go somewhere falls on deaf ears.  But if I say, "Uh oh Emma, if you don't get in her right now Daddy's going to tuck you in tonight!" she comes running.  She only wants me to tuck her in which is both flattering and tiring at the same time.

She also exhibits the easy-going side of her nature by always replying to requests with "O-tay" and "Sure!"  Then she proceeds to not do what we asked.  She's lucky she is so darn cute and I am lucky that she still has those droopy, chubby cheeks for me to smother in kisses!