22 months already!

Did I miss something? Oh yes, in less than 2 short months this little lady will be 2 years old. I can't believe it.
Amalia you are just a marvel. Everyone who meets you says the same things over and over, you are so adorable, you are so funny, you are so mischievous, you are so sweet. It's true, you have developed this really great personality that is all your own. And just as you are talking more and more, you are exerting a little more of your own independence, and moving away from always being so compliant with me, your dad, and most importantly and surprisingly, your brother! I knew the day would come when the scales would fall from your eyes and you would see that your brother was not the idol you made him out to be, I just didn't expect it to be this soon! While you still adore him and pretty much want to do everything that he is doing, you have stopped accepting his "trades" of cruddy non-toys that he offers when ever you have something that he wants to play with. You assert your own wants and this will very often lead to conflict, but you are no push over, even when it comes to fighting with your big brother. Hmm, I wonder where all this spiritedness could have come from?
Oh speaking of non-inherited traits, you are as stubborn as any person, or horse/donkey hybrid I have ever met or read about. If there is something you want to do or don't want to do it is just about impossible to change your mind or get you to forget about it. This has become a bit of a problem in the mornings when we have to leave for work and you weren't quite done with us yet. You pout and cry and stomp your feet and it is really an impressive show. The best still remains your angry pouting hominid face, complete with lower lip jutting out and brown prominently ridged. I must get a photo of this, but it is often a fleeting expression since once you see the camera you start hamming it up.
It really is wonderful that we've moved into this great house with its nice little yard. You love nothing more than going outside playing in the dirt, rubbing it in your hair (again, you and your brother don't seem to share a single characteristic and if you didn't look so much a like I would think you were switched at birth, or maybe he was!) and playing in the great outdoors. You even like the train and always let me know that it's going by.
It's hard for me to realize in the fast day to day how much you've really changed and grown in the past few months, but looking back to the monthdays-past I can really see the difference and it is incredible. My little peanut is a giant walking, talking, singing, dancing, running, climbing, "nastics" doing girl. But as I snuggle next to you when it's time to sleep and you pat my face oh so gently as you fall asleep, I know too that you are still my sweet little baby.
Love,
Mama