Two, my love. And wuv, two wuv, will fowow you foweva...

Dear India,

You are two and you are in charge, and boy howdy, are you TWO!

I feel like every morning you wake up saying new things. Your latest ones are: "I want to taste it." "I no like it." "Sorry, Jordan. I no mean it."

You have such strong opinions and wants, and you cannot yet voice them all, but you can SHRIEK! Basically, you do a great job of making yourself understood. Lately you've become obsessed with lip balm. "Lips, Mommy. Lips! LIPS!"

Apparently we have your little friend Colette, or rather her mother, to thank for this one. It's not that I mind sharing lip balm; it's that you spread it all over your face and then start eating it.

Like the rest of the universe, we are in love with Frozen, and you will request it by saying, "Frozen fractals all around!" We listen to it in the car and you and Jordan sing along. You both love the first song where they're splitting the ice.

I always put it on while making dinner or when I need to get something done, so sadly, I've still not seen it all the way through.

One of these days I'm going to watch it start to finish when everyone is asleep.

Here you are using the potty (which you've expressed extreme interest in - hello, kid #2!) and riveted by those fractals.

 The words I often use to describe you are "firecracker" and "bulldozer" - and while both are true, they're kind of unfair. Because you're also incredibly sweet and loving and so very affectionate. You give hugs and blow kisses and like nothing more than to fling your arms around Dad's or my neck and hold on like a little monkey on a branch. Until you see something you want, and then you are off like a shot.

You are a terrific eater, but so was Jordan, so I fear the days of spaghetti are coming. Right now you love mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, and you love tabouleh. You're a big meat eater as well.

Sleep has gotten better, thank goodness. You're still not the sleeper your brother has always been. Nana says that in fact, you are just like me as a kid. And Pat, who has known me my whole life, says seeing you in action is poetic justice.

You sometimes make me very tired and you can drive me crazy and you are an absolute beam of pure joy. All swirled together like a rainbow with sprinkles on top and wrapped in puppy kisses.

I tell you and your brother a story in the dark every night before bed. You and your friends are the main characters, but often you're mad about the lead-up to bed, and refuse to be in the story. Until it gets good, like they're eating ice cream or riding on a train or something, and then you say, "India! India!"

It's hard to believe that we only met you two years ago Saturday. It feels like you've been here forever, and I can't imagine my life without you.

I love you like sunshine.

XOXO,

Mama