The Pinto Family: Grace 23 Months Old

I've gotten behind on Grace's monthly updates but she has been doing great...a very busy bee these days! Here's what is new with her in the past 3 months.
* She talks up a storm!!! She speaks in 4-5 + word sentences now and will have a conversation with you. She likes to say "K" or "sure" as well as "'cause..." when asked to explain something. It seems she uses several new words a day. She pronounces Nicholas and Henry clearly now and has started calling Shawn and I "mom" and "dad."
* She is very independent...as an almost 2 year old is expected to be I guess. She likes to say "My do it" for buckling car seat straps, putting on shoes, clothes, etc.
* She still loves clothes. She changes her clothes several times a day and it is usually to put on Nicholas' clothes..she is obsessed with wearing his clothes. When I pick a dress for her to wear though she does like to say "I choose diaper cover to match" and promptly does so :-)
* She imitates EVERYTHING Nicholas says and does. She wears his clothes, requests a "construction story please" at night, and pretends her arm is a "big crane" to carry her dolls, toys, lift food, etc. She absolutely adores her big brother and loves spending time with him. They love to chase each other around the house and build blocks together. Last week she even asked "Me go time out too?" to be with him.
* She is also very loving and attentive to Henry. She likes to talk to him, tickle him, sing and "read" to him. She makes her babies do everything he does including "tummy time" and "nurse." She always tries to comfort him when he fusses and will often say "shhhh Henry" or "what is it Henry?" She greets him every morning by saying "morning sunshine!"
* She enjoys reading and requests books by name now. Her favorite right now is "My Pink Prayer Purse Book."
* She can be stubborn. She has started purposely testing us and has thrown a few tantrums.
* She is very busy and never seems to stop when she is awake. She can still wreck a room in 2 minutes flat ...hence her nickname "tornado" still sticks.
* She has become very interested in playing in her play kitchen and frequently asks me to come "have a tea party."
* She can be shy when first meeting someone but usually warms up quickly.
* She is a good napper (2-3hrs per day) and sleeps 12 hrs at night.
* She has been interested in "going potty" for 5-6 months now but isn't quite ready for potty training I don't think. She is a bit confused.....she thinks she can stand at the toilet to go (once again imitating her brother) and when she does sit she, for some reason, squeezes her little belly button to try to go....it is quite the sight!
* She can count to 10 (though sometimes forgets 9 :-)
* She is a creature of habit and thrives on routine.
* Everyday she does something to make us laugh and say "Gracie you are tooo much..we love you!"