She's Two!

It was two years ago, right now, that I was laboring with our little bloom.  All. through. the. night.  It's cliche, but it's hard to imagine that two years have passed so quickly.  That September day, when we welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world, will forever be, the most magical.  Her sparkle lights up each day. 

Tomorrow, when we wake up, another year will have passed.  I hope I am holding these moments, days, weeks vividly in my mind.  I want to always remember them.   

Okay, but maybe we can forget the very tired two-year-old moment this afternoon.  It wasn't our finest hour, or two.

We love you, Chloe Elizabeth!  (She's reading already.  wink.)

On her birthday.  September 21, 2010

One year old.

Two years.

“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
– Kahlil Gibran

Water baby.

This girl loves the water.  Bath, swimming pool, garden hose, you name it.  Her face just lights up.  I can still call her a baby right, she is not quite two. 

Almost two.

I love this little lady to pieces, but boy oh boy is the sass coming out these days.  I feel my patience being stretched and stretched and stretched some more.  I always cringe at the term "terrible two's" it just sounds so, I don't know, simplified and not nice.  But currently I'm embracing the thought that others must have been right where I am, to have coined such a phrase.  Man, I feel lost and exasperated often.  But mostly because I don't know how to direct this little lady when her emotions flair.  I'm gonna start with taking a deep breath, look into those pretty blue eyes and remember that "this too shall pass".  Thank you, Sis for the pep talk.  Yesterday and today. 

And in the next breath, this age is adorable, silly and so many new phrases are being said.  Hide and go seek in our pantry is a favorite lately.  I had to get some photos of her in action.  I'm trying to nurture her curiosity and remember that her energy is a sign of health.  I am so deeply thankful for that.  Goal for the week: keep perspective. 

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."
-Roald Dahl

Thirty-One.

With all honesty, I wanted my 31st birthday to slip by unrecognized.  Not because I'm getting a year older.  With each year, I find myself settling deeper into my skin.  I'm totally embracing my thirties.  It was just that nagging anticipation of another first passing by without my sweet mama.  The days leading up to my birthday, weren't my best.  The day of, I felt surprisingly light.  And I had a lot off love showered on me.  Even a sweet stack of unexpected snail mail; such a delight. 

Kevin took the day off work, then he, Chloe and my brother took me out for a delicious dinner.  How lucky am I?  Cheers to my 31st year!  Thank you sweet Mama (& Pops) for bringing me into the world.  It is a lovely place to be.