Happy Birthday - well at least half

Today is Aaron and Stella's half birthday! Now we never celebrated half birthdays when I was a kid but we plan to do it up right here in the Barnhart household. I think the last time I marked one of these was when they celebrated their first 6 months but 2 year olds keep us pretty busy (which is why there have been less blogs).

Lots of things have happened but one of the hallmarks of this age is rapid change.


Hello everybody!

Stella NEVER stops talking. But what is remarkable to me is how she is testing language - she says things several times but each time she adds more words forming longer sentences. I am always amazed by what she remembers and by what she says. I'm learning that I need to hang in there with her until she makes me understand because when I don't she looks at me like I am stupid. She loves Toy Story II and The Adventures of Milo and Otis and all her trains and her Mr. Potato Head. She loves climbing and jumping and just being active. Most of what she says just makes us laugh. My current favorite is "Here comes poopie" when we change her dirty diaper. Our girl is so silly.
She is also learning that there are some things we can't resist - like the snuggle. She is master at asking for a snuggle when you are in the middle of something. She tends to go for her dad just as he's about to start working. It is hard to turn down a 2 1/2 year old who is asking you for a snuggle. There is renewed interest in the potty which we will have to master by the end of the summer since Stella is set to start preschool in the fall. David and I are so excited about this and we think Stella is just going to love it. As demanding as she can be, she is a very sweet girl. She's always reminding us when it's Aaron's turn to do something and if we get her something to drink she always asks for a drink for her brother. She's always looking to make a connection with him either by getting in his face and making noises or running past him and waiting for him to catch up. Stella is very aware of where Aaron is all the time.


It must have been 'no matching pants and shirts' day


These are the brown eyes he uses to get his way. Works every time.

Aaron was born a snuggler but somewhere between 1 year and 2 years he drifted away from that. Now he's come full circle and loves to be loved. For a long time he liked to do his own thing and was just as happy being alone as he was with us but he's different now. I'm not sure if this is just a natural progression for him but I feel like the therapy is helping. After the ASD diagnosis last October we've been more intentional about engaging him and it seems to be working. Although he still doesn't have words he is so interested in us - mostly our faces. He is very clear about when he wants our attention, even going so far as to grab our faces if we don't pay attention to him. When he wakes up in the morning he likes to have his milk and then hang out on the couch for 45 minutes with his dad. Aaron is a big fan of backrubs. His big smiles all day long are the most beautiful thing ever.


Mom, this old guy is snuggling me into submission. Help. Me.

This past week both kids have been pretty sick - fevers and chest rattling coughs. We've been wiping lots of noses.


Fevered and sinking into the couch after the 100th episode of Dora.


Mom, put down the camera and wipe my nose. Then get me some decent clothes.


Stella and her constant companion, Kitty.


We are 2 and a half today. Cheese!!!!