Where did my baby go and who is this big girl?

Yesterday I was working in the living room when I heard a cry come from the pink nursery. Setting down my computer and rushing back, I knew what I should find:

a tiny helpless baby, crying to be picked up and cuddled; a little girl stuck in the pre-toddler stage; a small, delicate Chubbs with developmental delays.

Instead?

There was a big girl standing in her crib waiting for me. The full-blown toddler held out her arms and stared accusingly at me for taking so long to run to her while her rosebud lips parted slightly, her vocals said "Sign" and one chubby hand reached over her head and signed "Daddy"

She had undressed herself and unthreaded the seam in her pillow (how did she do this???)

You know how they say that anticipation is oftentimes more fun than the actual event?

Well for two years, I have anticipated Addison finally growing out of the baby stage, and I am happy to announce that she seems to have left it far, far behind....and it's WAY better than what I could have dreamed and hoped for...

At the first suggestion of toddlerhood I was teary eyed and wistful at how fast this time has gone.

Now?

I am loving it!

She's walking so much more, her vocabulary grows every day, she's into everything...

Even though her biggest problem right now is struggling to communicate with us, she shows incredibly strong cognitive/reasoning skills. If she wants something- she figures out how to get it! Seriously, she's so smart. (I'm not just saying that because I'm her mother...hehe)

"well hello there, lover" (signing time, of course)

 I don't know where the last two years have gone, but I have loved every minute of "baby" Chubbs and look forward to what "toddler" Chubbs has in store for us!

 even increased behavior like this:

It's incredible to see such a little person emerging from the cloud of her diagnosis and proving to us day after day that she's amazing, talented and smart. Love our Chubbs!

Happy Monday!

(psssst...it turns out that this 6 month dress fits waaaay better at 2 years than it did at 6 months...lol)