Two

I guess this means you are officially not a baby anymore.
Not sure how that happened.... Time has a way of flying by.

We've had quite a year, enjoying your cute little personality. In fact, Daddy and I were just commenting the other day about how you have a certain charisma about you.... Hard to describe. Almost an "I know I'm cute" swagger, but in the most endearing way that makes you even cuter.

You've learned a lot in the last year. Walking, talking (kind of), and mimicking everything you see your big sister doing. She has been schooled in "being a good example" for you because you pick up even the slightest things. Maybe you'll end up being my observant child!

This was the year that you had tubes put in your ears, too. That was an anxious day for Daddy and I, but we are already seeing the rewards. Your vocabulary has EXPLODED ever since. You can't quite work out all of the letter sounds yet, but we understand you most of the time anyway. And you are much more willing and eager to sound words out, now, too.

You have become quite a little swimmer, too, which we had not anticipated since you never showed the love of water quite like Lexy did. But once you got your feet wet (literally!), you quickly got the hang of it. And we invested in ear plugs. Which you are quick to remind me to pack every time we head to the pool. (Good thing, too, because I seem to always forget them!)

You've acquired quite a few nicknames in your two short years, mostly from your Daddy who likes to abbreviate everything. :) Tori Toops has been around awhile, but "Toops" by itself is newish. And then there's "T-Bone" or "T-Bone Jones". (I have no idea). And when he's feeling REALLY rushed for time, he just goes with "T". Thank goodness you answer to all of them.

One of our favorite games to play with you is Pouty Face, which really speaks for itself. But the humor in it is that you don't ever use the pouty face when you are pouting.... Only when you are all smiles and game to entertain us with your antics. I was so excited to actually capture it on film for future generations to see. (And please note that as soon as the flash went off, you broke into a HUGE grin-- right back to the smiley Tori we all know and love!)

You are so independent, always trying to do things by yourself. Including potty training. What a joy it is to say that you COMPLETLEY trained yourself in how to go #2 on the potty. We're still working on #1, but even that is about 70% on the potty. If it were only this easy with every child.

I have so enjoyed watching your hair continue to grow in curly! I absolutely LOVE it. Especially when we go to the beach and it turns into ringlets. I hope it never changes.


We are so blessed to have you as part of our family, T. We love you so much and are cherishing every moment of your toddlerhood, knowing full well that the days may seem long, but the years are short.

Happy Birthday, Toops.
We love you.