Happy 2nd Birthday, Lu!

About this time two years ago, I met you for the very first time.  In that time, you have grown into a beautiful, smart, affectionate, and silly girl.  You bring so much happiness and life to our family, and you are loved by many.  Happy Birthday, my sweet girl.  I am so proud to be your momma.  I love you mucho mucho mucho.

Opening presents with Mandy ("Andy")

Hugging your new baby doll-- you haven't put her down yet!

Grampy surprised you with balloons.  You were ecstatic.

Mommy and Daddy's present to you

Curbside cuppies

 

23 Months

One more month (less than, actually!), Lu, and you'll be 2!  You are becoming a little girl.  A stunningly beautiful, brilliant little girl.  I cannot believe that you were once your brother's age (and I cannot believe that Parker will one day be your age).  It's amazing what another year and some hair can do to a girl!

You are the very definition of adorable.  You say the funniest (sometimes strangest) things.  We have so much fun with you.  You're also quite the tantrum-thrower.  You can be pretty moody sometimes; but we ignore that behavior completely-- even in public.  (It was a little embarrassing the first time you flung yourself on the floor of Target, and it felt like everyone was staring.  Doesn't phase me anymore, though!)

You are a loving, sweet big sister and momma's little helper.  If I can't get to Parker right away, I can ask you to bring him a toy or give him kisses.  You happily oblige and say, "Matter, CarCar?" (What's the matter, CarCar?)  You even inform me when he poops or wakes up from his nap.  Every morning you shout, "BABY!" and run to where he is laying and dive on him.  You and momma alternate blowing raspberries on his belly and tickling his um-pins.  And you always, always, always say, "Night night CarCar. Ove you CarCar" before naps and bedtime. 

Favorite phrases we heard this month:
Mom! (rather than whining to let me know you're ready to get out of your crib)
Baby kying/awake
Baby poop/fart
Where'd he/she/momma/daddy go?
Watch Ax (Lorax)
Carry me
Daddy shower with me
Nees (necklace) fall down drain. (after dropping your Baltic Amber down the shower drain) 
Dance CarCar, daaaance. Dance, dance, dance!
Booger... (after picking your nose, and attempting to hand your findings to Daddy)
Duck poop!  Ew.  (said while inspecting your shoes after visiting the park).

Favorite pictures...

Rinsing the soap off of Parker.

 

Sharing your milk with Daddy.

Omg, this kills my knees, but it always cracks you up.

Comparing Baltic Amber with Eliana (or as you refer to her, "Ana")

The Art of Green Bean Eating

Hmm, what do we have here?

Let me just open 'er up and take a look.

"Oh man."

Gasp!

"Beeeeeeeeeean!"

nom nom nom

::casually steals more beans from unsuspecting momma::

(And that would be why we eat green beans 2 to 3 times a week.)

22 Months (photo dump)

It's that time again...

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNING TIME.

I can't put it off anymore.  (Will save the sappy stuff for later, but, overall, I'm still in denial about this whole "turning 2" thing.)

You gave us another great month, Lu.  You are so.dang.funny.  It's unreal how much you make us laugh.  This month you started doing the butt drop on the couch (and me); you're still totally obsessed with Orphan Annie and cookies; you finally started saying "ove ew" (love you); and you've developed a strange, but affectionate interest in Grampy's dog Ollie.  You yell "Owy" every time we pull into their driveway.  You also showed us what a real tantrum looks like for the first time.  In Target.  That was a treat.  (Still love you, though!  MUCHO.)

Here is the past month in pictures, honey bun...

You take your pajamas off EVERY morning.

Dancing along with "Hard Knock Life" on Annie

The smile we get when we say, "Show us your teeth!"

Seriously, these pants.

Supervising Parker's bath.

Blowing raspberries

The Annie drawing you were obsessed with for days.

Testing momma's cookie pops.  You approved.

Visiting the playground often

Piggy tails!

Casually putting socks on your hands

Pants optional.  Sparkly shoes required.

Butt bongos!