The terrible two's have officially started.

These past few weeks have been, shall I say, challenging. Bella has officially hit the terrible two's. I was hoping she'd skip this stage. Let's just say I hope it's a phase. Isn't that, after all, what you're supposed to call any stage of development that isn't anything but deee-lightful? It makes you feel much better, hoping, believing, praying it's just a phase, doesn't it? Hoping, believing, and praying that it will last only a few days! Everything that comes out of her mouth is either "No!", "I don't want to!", "I don't like that!" or just simply whining...and man, is she stubborn, persistent, strong-willed (whatever you wanna call it, it's all the same thing, and it's a pain in my butt right now!). I know one day I'll appreciate that she's so strong-willed. One day. Is it too early to start with time-out's? Because we've started putting her in them, out of sheer desperation. Can you believe long-winded reasoning with a two-year old hasn't been successful thus far??

But there are brief breaks during the day when I still say, "Aww, man, she's pretty cute!" Or moments when she says something that makes me burst out laughing. And let me tell you, thank goodness for those...

Some pictures from the last few days.

Perhaps this is the problem. She's one step ahead of us!! Smart girl...

Kissing our family picture. She does this periodically throughout the day. She says: "Look! It's mama, papa and baby Ysabella!" Oh, and she's smiling for the camera, too.

Jumping in her sleeping bag, like it's a potato sac. You didn't actually think she'd use it for sleeping, did you??? haha.

Hanging out with her boyfriend Charley, yesterday. He seems to be telling her a secret, something really special, and she can't take her eyes off of him.

Even though Bella wasn't feeling so well, she and Charley enjoyed an episode of Thomas together. Toddler Trance! She woke up this morning saying:"I think I should watch some Thomas maybe." Thanks for having us over, Chris & Lee, it was great seeing you!