And how old is she?!?

Jennie is a little on the petite side. In fact, she is so little that she hardly makes the growth charts. Some where around 97% of all kids her age weigh more than she does. This can be very misleading for people who don't know her - especially when she starts talking! Her vocabulary is off the charts, and her conversation skills throw people for a loop. It is very impressive to hear my little 23 lb two-and-a-half year old starting conversations with kids and adults, and saying things like, "No thank you, I appreciate it though." Oh the things my little girl says....

Please note: I have not embellished the quotes here at all.... these are word-for-word things Jennie has said!

In the grocery store last week, we were coming around to the bananas. Just as we selected our bunch, and Jennie said to me, "Mommy, we got four yellow bananas. But one of them is a little green," the produce guy came by to stock some more. Note: the produce guy was clearly some kind of Latino decent. He had a little bit of an accent as well. This is important for later.... Jacob was in the Bjorn, and Jennie in the seat of the cart. Jake giggled and laughed at the man, and Jennie looked right at him when he said hello and said, "I'm going to be shy now" and proceeded to turn her head away and not say a word. A few short moments later, we were on our way. I said, "Jennie, say bye," and she did not. However, as we turned down the lane to get some onions, she waves her hand dramatically and calls out, "Buenos dias!" I about DIED. My 2 1/2 year old just racially profiled the banana man! I mean, it was quite socially aware of her to use her Dora the Explorer Spanish skills - but seriously horrifying as a mother. The poor guy probably thought I told her to say it. While impressive that she picked up on those cues that he probably spoke Spanish, it is a much harder thing to understand that its not OK to act on it. Another lesson for another day, haha.

Learning to swim in the river with Daddy

Jennie (calling from her closed bedroom door after she was tucked in): Oh Daddy! Daaaadddyyyyyy!
Justin: Yes, Jennie?
Jennie: Daddy, I reeeaaaally have to go poop.
Daddy: Remember when you were sitting on the potty before bedtime, and I told you to try and go, and that you were not to get out of bed and try later?
Jennie: Yes.
Daddy: Well, you shouldn't be getting up to go then.
Jennie: But I reaaaaaaallly have to go Daddy. (she scampers off to the bathroom).
Me: Jennie, stop singing and focus on going potty
Jennie: Focus on the poopy, focus on the poopy, poooopy, poooopy... (singing it).
Me: Jennie.... stop it
Jennie: Mommy, I don't have to go poop.
Me: Maybe you should sit and try a little longer. You said you needed to go.
Jennie: But I don't need to go.
Me: Then why did you tell Daddy you had to go?
Jennie: Because I wanted to get out of bed. (with a total "DUH" tone to her voice!!)
Me and Justin: (trying hard and failing to hold back our snickers and laughs) Reeaaaaalllly? Get back in bed. NOW.

Playing shuffle board "all by myself!!" with Uncle Greg

Jennie will strike up a conversation with anybody. While walking over to the softball field to watch Daddy's game, there were about 4 guys standing around waiting to play next. As we walked by them, Jennie fires up a conversation about a mile-a-minute:

Jennie: Oh, Hi there. We are going to watch Daddy's softball game. He's playing over there. I'm going to cheer. Hey - do you want to come, too?!?

....I think its time for the "stranger" talk, right? These guys were so stunned. One managed to laugh a little and get out "No, thanks. We'll watch from here." Gotta keep my eye on her BIG time!

Modelling in the bath tub...

At Target, a pair of women about my age or so, were looking at a weird gimmic body wash that lit up when you opened the lid. One commented to me, "Wow, she is so attentive and alert, watching everything that we are doing." In my head I am thinking, "Wow, you are grossly underestimating her age...." and then Jennie pipes up and says to them, "I'm sorry, but we can not buy that today. We have to go get some bandaids. Princess ones, I think." The two women's jaws dropped, followed by the usual, "How old is she?"

Climbing the ladder "all by myself!!"

Jennie: Mom, you know what?
Me: What honey?
Jennie: I love you. And Mom, you know what? You are the best friend ever in the whole wide world.
(while totally make-my-heart-melt cute, it is also a little bit of a downer that she has taken to calling me "Mom" instead of mommy at the mature age of 2.5. I'm hoping its a phase.... Justin didn't escape this either. He has been "Dad" for a few days now. By the time she's three we'll merely be "Lindsay and Justin" for crying out loud!)



At my friends baby shower this weekend, one relative of hers was a kindergarten teacher. Jennie struck up a conversation with her:

Teacher: Hello there. What is your name?
Jennie: Jennie. Jennie Mosca. Anne is my middle name.
Teacher: Oh, well I love your dress. It is very pretty.
Jennie: Thank you. Are you going to the baby party with me?
Teacher: I am! How old are you Jennie?
Jennie: Two and a half. My birthday is in December.
Teacher: (to me) WOW. Her verbal skills are amazing. Half the kids in my classes don't know their own birthday.
Jennie: My baby brother is Jacob. His birthday is in December, too.
(here, the teacher's eyes bug out of her head, haha).

Jennie took her first "babysitting"
job very seriously.... kept a careful
eye on our neighbors beta fish.

I know I am bragging here a little, but I am so proud of her! My little smartie pants is growing up so fast. So, when people say, "And how old is she?!?" I proudly respond with "Two-and-a-half, going on 22." But secretly... her personality is going to be scary when she's older! Me and Daddy.... oh, excuse me, "Mom and Dad," are going to need to keep a tight leash on this one!!

4th of July in Marshfield

Ready for some fireworks! 

Jacob is a smartie pants too... prefers to play with an abacus at the library =)