24 months = 2 years!

Highlights:

• Early onset empathy. If there is a kid crying somewhere in earshot, Rosie knows it and wants the exact details of the situation. It's quite sweet, except for when the crier is a young child throwing a tantrum, and she points right at them and says, "crying." That's just awkward...and kinda hilarious.
• Memory. It seems each day Rosie's memory gets better and better. She remembers the extraordinary (foot stuck in an escalator) and the mundane (the sound of the truck that sucks up leaves off the street....which is different from the garbage truck). 
• Storyteller. Along with Rosie's growing memory has been her knack for telling stories. She can recount the previous day's adventures, the story of the 3 Little Pigs, an episode of Diego. Her stories are full of hand motions, gripping dialogue, morals.
• Family. Rosie has grown so loving and comfortable with family. She easily goes into the arms of her aunts/uncles/cousins when she's being dropped off. When we get together, she has that magical effect on the family that often results in full-on chases around the house with everyone from Vavô to her youngest cousin. The laughter that fills the air is priceless.
• Oppositional. Doctor No in the house. Rosie definitely has an opinion, though that opinion can often change the next moment. But while she might put up resistance to many of our suggestions (for those of you familiar with the book "Knuffle Bunny," she has mastered the 'boneless' tactic), it is always short-lived and ends in a sweet smile. She also has a growing need for independence. One of her favorite things to say now is, "by myself" (which sounds a lot like "special) when it comes to...anything. Other amusing bossy phrases includes, "No talk Mommy/Daddy,"and "No hold you." 

• Attachment/Affection. This little bug has become a cuddle monster. She has this heart-melting move that wraps us tighter around her little finger each time. Whenever she wants to keep us near, Rosie puts each of her tiny palms on our cheeks. And just holds on. Seriously?! So loving.
• Pet-owner. Rosie is an official pet-owner of Marlin and Coral, her little fish. Every morning she tells them to "wake up" and feeds them breakfast.

Two years. Hard to believe!