He's the kind of guy...

you can ask to make a pinata (birthday cake, halloween costume, table centrepiece, or what-have-you) 

and worry no more about it.

He can be equally as at home with a hot glue gun or a piping kit as he is with

power tools or a lawn mower.

The only thing I have to worry about is being outshone creatively.

He's fun.

a birthday girl

Happy Birthday Ingrid.

You have been an awesome two year old.

I know you'll make three sweet too.

Independence Day, the beginning, the middle, and the end.

It started with

a party

presents

and patriotism.

Then there was an interlude

of playing

with pals

peeking

and posing

in the pool.

About that time we ran out of 'p's,
and switched to 's'es

for sparklers

and staying up way past our bedtimes.

Sounds Superb

(and it was)

6 months

 So, I'm six months old today, and I thought I should share how far I've come since I was born.
You've heard by now that I am so close to crawling that I may as well just get credit for it. I mean, the back legs, not a problem. I can go places. I'm still working on my arm strength, you know, no rushing it.

 

I can also sit up on my own, which I think is pretty cool. Sure, I lose my balance sometimes, but that's what hovering parents are for.

Another spec on me, I like to eat. I mean, I really *heart* food. Especially fresh mangoes. The avocados I could really do without. I like a little applesauce, cereal is good, carrots I wouldn't turn down, and everybody loves a banana. But mangoes. Mmmm. I already weigh 19 pounds. That is roughly what all three of my sisters weighed by the time they were a year old! Speaking of my sisters, they rock. Talk about entertainment!

I am learning that life for a six month old is all about new experiences. For instance, this very day I went on the carousel at the zoo for the first time in my life. I rode a gorilla. It was pretty awesome, especially because my dad held me the whole time, and he's pretty much my favorite person.

The beach is another great place to gain new experiences. I have just recently discovered that sand can be eaten! Who knew!

Oh, and did I mention that I'm gorgeous?

Free Birthday Party

Free birthday parties work best for the 2 and under set. It is important for the child to have no pre-conceived notions about what a birthday party should entail, and no abilities to differentiate between new and used toys.

Ingrid happens to possess these qualities, and so she was an excellent candidate for a free birthday party this year. We knew that we weren't going to invite people over for her birthday, so we went to Downtown Disney for a family day last weekend instead. On her actual birthday, after a lunch of homemade macaroni and cheese (a favorite with Ingrid) and green beans, we took about 45 minutes (all this was accomplished on Jessie's lunch break) to have a little cake and presents celebration.

We started out with our favorite,

made from scratch, "Black Joe" cake

(yes, there was coffee in the 2-year old's

birthday cake)

with homemade peanut butter icing.

Then we progressed to the gifts, most of which had been handed down to us from friends a few months ago, and had been stored in the garage in anticipation of this day.

Some were pulled out of a large Williams Sonoma bag

some were wrapped in pink paper

and the last one was covered with a sheet

and unveiled after all the others

had been opened and appreciated

All have been thoroughly enjoyed ever since.

Birthday Baby Girl

I wish I could just bottle up Ingrid at this age.

I think not having another younger baby (or two!) around has made me realize how babyish almost 2 years old still is. But Ingrid is walking a fine line between babyhood and big-girl-ness. Its so disturbing when she looks at me and rattles off a string of baby talk, which I expect to be just babble, then I suddenly realize that I actually understood every word!

I don't want to see her bouncy little toddler gait turn into a more purposeful and balanced stride. Seeing her run haphazardly down the hall on her chubby little legs, shaking her curls from side to side, is one of my favorite sights.

I don't want her to lose the babyish lack of inhibition and craving for skin-to-skin touch, which causes her to lift my shirt far enough to lay her head directly on my belly when we snuggle, or grab my hand at the table so she can use my arm as a pillow.

But you are 2 today, and I remember how fast your sisters lost their baby-ness after that age. I love watching you learn new things, but can you stay a baby for just a little longer? Say, for four more months?

Being 3 Means...

staying dry all night

getting myself dressed

singing my ABC's

in whatever order seems right to me

being allowed to attend

Bible Hour at church with the "big kids"

using big, grown-up words; like, disgusting

lots of Raucous Laughter

not screaming

when I get my hair washed

making up lengthy songs

with complex lyrics

helping Mommy unload the dishwasher

I'm so glad she 3, and she's ours.

Happy Birthday Eliza

4 is not a baby number *sniff*

how did this little infant

turn into this little baby

who turned into this little toddler

who turned into this little girl

who turned into this big girl

who turned into this little lady

who turned into this 4 year old ?!?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm still asking myself that question everyday.

But I know I have loved all of them

and will continue to love

everything

she becomes

this year and every year afterwards.

Happy Birthday Theia!