Today Anaïs turned two. We celebrated with chocolate cake, candles, and a few gifts... a larger party is in store on Saturday with our extended Bogotá family!!!
Anaïs continues to be fiercely independent. At two she tried to do everything on her own, even more than her older sister!! She has a very defined sense of style and has been choosing her own clothes without consultation for months; and aside from a little help, mostly getting dressed herself too. This week, she decided that she was clearly too old for diapers. While she has been diaper-free 'at home' for months, I have been hesitant to go out without diapers... mostly cuz I did not want to be rushing to find a bathroom all the time. Well, she had decided she had enough of making me feel comfortable and she was no longer wearing diapers. That was that. And once she makes a decision, her clarity is a force to be reckoned with. So, we stopped. And just like that, she never needed a diaper (or even a change) again!! As if by pure will, she was mature enough to recognize when diapers were no longer necessary.
She continues to amaze us with her wit and sense of humour. She keeps us laughing from morning until night. And she keeps us on our toes too: she is way to smart for us... usually getting us tangled in our own arguments when we try to explain to her why she can or cannot do something. She loves to dance, and she loves to jump (making these the them of her birthday party on Saturday). Keeping her active enough to satiate her desire is an ongoing adventure (especially for me).
She also loves to get pampered. She can lie completely relaxed for extended periods of time enjoying a massage. And she is just as giving, offering amazing foot rubs to mama, papa, Isabel and Leo.
She also has a heart of gold and loves to share. Whenever I prepare something for her, she always makes sure she gets an extra portion for her sister... whether it be water, veggies and dip, or cookies, she will never take 'just one' if her big sister is around. She does also like to taste everything to make sure it is okay... so Isabel usually ends up with an apple that has a tiny nibble taken out of it before it makes it into her hands.
Every weekday at around 3:30pm, Anaïs plants herself in front of the elevator eagerly awaiting the return of her favourite playmate. She adores her sister with the same passion that she has for life in general. And this love is not any less intense for her little brother who is showered with her affectionate foot massages, touches, kisses and hugs. As soon as papa comes home, she stops what she is doing and runs to greet him with a huge hug. Her affection is disarming... even with strangers she is always ready to blow a kiss. And when a new student joined her music class, she went right up to her to give her a great big hug and bring her a new instrument to play.
One of my favourite things to do with Anaïs is walk around the neighbourhood. She is so curious and admires all the trees and flowers. And she loves to hold hands as we walk. It is one of the most precious things in the world, to walk side by side with her, hand in hand... and to feel the magic of life as she experiences it with all her senses.
