Kyla is capable of basic reasoning now. Before it was very difficult to motivate her to do what I wanted, but recently I've discovered that bargaining is a powerful parenting tool (e.g. "If you put on your jammies then I'll read you a story"). Her growing intellect has also resulted in some abilities that are not welcome, such as being able to open doors.
My own personality has begun to show in Kyla's. Even though we try mightily to keep her away from television (a recent study linked early TV watching to ADHD) she has developed a strong affinity for Dora the Explorer. She talks about Dora and her companions often, and really enjoys the Dora doll I got her. Becky calls this trait that Kyla and I share obsessiveness while I like to think of it as a strong sense of focus.Unfortunately she still doesn't sleep through the night, so I still try to give Becky a little extra sleep by having Kyla hang out with me while I get ready for work in the morning (I've definitely got the better end of this arrangement). She really likes to mimic whatever I do when I'm getting ready, so we had to buy her a plastic razor so that she can shave. She looks really cute with shaving cream all over her face.
