My big girl is 2!!!

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With all this baby action I don't want to overlook another very special little girl that we had the opportunity to celebrate last week. Our sweet Eleanore turned two years old on Wednesday (January 20).

Now, I may be biased, but I think she is one of the most beautiful, sweet and smart little girls in the world. She is a great pretender, a playful pal, a curious learner, a fabulous talker, a super hider, a happy helper (most of the time), a funny entertainer, a sweet daughter and a loving big sister. I can barely remember life before her and don't want to imagine life without her -- she has made our world a happy place. As I am sure most mothers would say of their children, she has given my life purpose and meaning. I am proud to be her mom!

Since I still wasn't feeling great on her b-day and her sister Maya was still in the hospital we kept it low-key on her actual birthday, but still tried to make it special. In the morning we ate Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast, then we played together before having a Happy Meal party lunch with cupcakes for dessert (she was very excited to blow out her candles and to have us sing to her). In the afternoon, while I went to the hospital to be with Maya, Bryan took Eleanore on her first Daddy Date. They went to the movies and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks and ate popcorn (which was the most exciting part for). I know she loved her time with Dad because several times that night she told me, "Daddy is nice." It was a fun day, and we hope Eleanore felt special.
On Saturday we decided to celebrate again, now that our entire family was together. We had a party with a few of our friends from Church and Eleanore's cousins Audrey, Jordan, Jacob and Tyler. At the party we danced (Eleanore's request...the music was Hokey Pokey and Row, Row, Row Your Boat), played hot potato, ate pizza, hit a pinata and enjoyed an awesome Minnie Mouse birthday cake (made by Grandma Toy...who did an amazing job). Eleanore was SOOOO excited to have all her friends here for her party. She could hardly stand still and was grinning from ear to ear the whole time. She asked everyone to dance with her and kept telling me she had lots of friends. It was really fun.

I love celebrating her birthday not only because it is fun to party but more because it is a special opportunity to reflect on the miracle she is and the joy she has brought to my life. We love you Eleanore-tony!