Monday, March 5, 2012
Tractor Ride with Papa
These photos were taken on Lily's birthday, after her party. She had been watching Papa out the window, driving back and forth in the tractor to feed the cows. When I asked her if she'd like to go on a ride, what do you think she said? "YEEESSSSS!" So all in one day, she turned 2 years old and went on her first tractor ride! Pretty eventful from her point of view. It was a tight squeeze with all three of us in there but by golly, we made it work. And don't let her somber expressions fool you. She was pretty serious the whole trip but then talked all about it the rest of the day!
Pancakes
In keeping with tradition, I made birthday pancakes for Lily to enjoy on Friday morning which was the day in between her two parties. Why not space out the goodies and enjoy them for a full three days? This year, I tried a new recipe - banana oat pancakes - and they were a hit! She ate 2 pancakes all by herself!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Pickin' Fuzzies
This is one of Lily's nightly rituals. Pickin' the fuzzies out from between her toes.
Lily's 2nd Birthday: Party #2
On Lily's actual birthday, we celebrated with family at GaGa (Grandma) and Papa's house.
Another cake? She's thinkin' she could get used to this!
This was unintentional but she coordinates well with the table decor, dontchya think?
She and Grandma Karen must be having a serious conversation
She has lots of fun with cousin Ali!
Admiring Mrs. Potato Head
Devouring some cake with cousin Reece
All is well when she's got her babies. How cute is this?
Lily's 2nd Birthday: Party #1
We hosted a 'friend' birthday party for Lily on March 1st, which just happened to be her original due date! Although it got a little crazy at times with 12 kids in the house, we had an absolutely great time. I'll let the photos and captions tell the story.....
Enjoying a sucker for the second time in her life. She kept saying "Ummy!"
If you couldn't tell already, the theme was Minnie Mouse. :)
And how could it be complete without a pre-party viewing of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?
Drinking some punch like a big girl
With Kristen ("Tikten")
Lily had lots of help opening presents
Giving BFF Molly a hug
The result of too much sugar
In Lily's opinion, the perfect ending to the day.
The girl loves to brush her teeth!
The girl loves to brush her teeth!
Birthday Morning
This year for Lily's birthday, I decided it would be fun to help make her cake so I spent most of the day at our good friends, the Ramsey's, house. Erin and I did the baking and Phillip is quite talented in working with fondant! So it worked out great and I learned a lot from observing the whole process! I will never again underestimate how much goes into making a cake with fondant! And the end result and seeing the look of sheer excitement on Lily's face the next morning when she viewed her Minnie Mouse cake was priceless.
Didn't Phillip do an awesome job of decorating Minnie's face?!?!
Yaaaay!
Mmmm, looks tasty.
Happy girl
Saturday, March 3, 2012
To Lily on her 2nd Birthday
My sweet Lily,
Two years. Two years since my world changed. Two years since I fixed my gaze upon your angelic face and sighed peacefully. There have never been a more joyful set of two years that have spun around the sun. That day you came into our lives will forever be etched in my memory as the day I learned that love can make a heart soar higher than the human brain can comprehend.
And now, today, you are a two year old little girl. No longer a baby. It is impossible for me to think of the hours, days, weeks and months wrapped up in these past two years and not feel warm, precious tears roll down my cheeks. As I've witnessed you discover new and exciting things, I too have discovered along the way. I've discovered it doesn't take long for you to make me laugh when moments before you were the cause of my frustration. I've discovered you showcase some of your Daddy's most endearing qualities and I fall in love with him again. I've discovered that the dishes and the laundry and the emails and the organizing can all wait but fleeting moments with you cannot. I've discovered that quality time simply isn't scheduled and that it only occurs as a result of putting in the quantity. I've discovered you have a beautiful spirit. A compassionate soul. A nurturing way about you. I've discovered that raising you, my dear child, is a privilege given to me by God. Frequently it moves me to worship our Father in Heaven and praise His name.
Much as happened since my last birthday letter to you. I have enjoyed hearing you expand your vocabulary, all the way to sentences now! And the ABC's and 123's that you enthusiastically recite - those will certainly be useful to you in life. But what will be most useful is the Word of God that is filling our hearts and our home with the love of the Spirit as you, with all sincerity, join with us to say it and sing it and learn it. It's been fun to see everything that goes into a day's time with you, from the moment you wake up in the morning til you close your eyes at night. All of the praying and waiting for my dream job was worth it. Staying at home to raise you, train you and love you has far exceeded my expectations. It is incredible. I look forward each day to embrace what God might bring. I delight in watching your eyes light up, even if it means we have to get a little messy. I anticipate your squeals, giggles and feet scampering toward the back door when Daddy shows up to join us for lunch. I'm giddy over how cute you look in sporting sweet little pigtails now that your hair is long enough. I cherish our bedtime routine of snuggles, songs and prayers. I drink in your myriad of facial expressions that animate even the most mundane of days.
So I think when I look back on these two years, the overwhelming feeling will always be gratitude. I love that your life has helped me learn it in a fresh and full way. My eyes have been opened and I'm thrilled that I have the terrifying yet beautiful challenge before me to mother you in a way that will ever be opening your eyes to God too.
All we ever really have is the moment right in front of us. And I say this moment of celebrating your second year of life is too sweet for words. We are blessed beyond measure.
All my love to you on your birthday,
Mommy
Two years. Two years since my world changed. Two years since I fixed my gaze upon your angelic face and sighed peacefully. There have never been a more joyful set of two years that have spun around the sun. That day you came into our lives will forever be etched in my memory as the day I learned that love can make a heart soar higher than the human brain can comprehend.
And now, today, you are a two year old little girl. No longer a baby. It is impossible for me to think of the hours, days, weeks and months wrapped up in these past two years and not feel warm, precious tears roll down my cheeks. As I've witnessed you discover new and exciting things, I too have discovered along the way. I've discovered it doesn't take long for you to make me laugh when moments before you were the cause of my frustration. I've discovered you showcase some of your Daddy's most endearing qualities and I fall in love with him again. I've discovered that the dishes and the laundry and the emails and the organizing can all wait but fleeting moments with you cannot. I've discovered that quality time simply isn't scheduled and that it only occurs as a result of putting in the quantity. I've discovered you have a beautiful spirit. A compassionate soul. A nurturing way about you. I've discovered that raising you, my dear child, is a privilege given to me by God. Frequently it moves me to worship our Father in Heaven and praise His name.
Much as happened since my last birthday letter to you. I have enjoyed hearing you expand your vocabulary, all the way to sentences now! And the ABC's and 123's that you enthusiastically recite - those will certainly be useful to you in life. But what will be most useful is the Word of God that is filling our hearts and our home with the love of the Spirit as you, with all sincerity, join with us to say it and sing it and learn it. It's been fun to see everything that goes into a day's time with you, from the moment you wake up in the morning til you close your eyes at night. All of the praying and waiting for my dream job was worth it. Staying at home to raise you, train you and love you has far exceeded my expectations. It is incredible. I look forward each day to embrace what God might bring. I delight in watching your eyes light up, even if it means we have to get a little messy. I anticipate your squeals, giggles and feet scampering toward the back door when Daddy shows up to join us for lunch. I'm giddy over how cute you look in sporting sweet little pigtails now that your hair is long enough. I cherish our bedtime routine of snuggles, songs and prayers. I drink in your myriad of facial expressions that animate even the most mundane of days.
So I think when I look back on these two years, the overwhelming feeling will always be gratitude. I love that your life has helped me learn it in a fresh and full way. My eyes have been opened and I'm thrilled that I have the terrifying yet beautiful challenge before me to mother you in a way that will ever be opening your eyes to God too.
All we ever really have is the moment right in front of us. And I say this moment of celebrating your second year of life is too sweet for words. We are blessed beyond measure.
All my love to you on your birthday,
Mommy
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