Turning two

Although Brynley's party was on Saturday, her actual birthday was Sunday. We spent the day together at home and I made sure to take some pictures.

Brynley helping Daddy take down her birthday decorations:

Daddy wrapped her up in the streamers and she loved it:

Playing with her new "iPod":

B even decided to smile for some of the photos.

Although she smiles often, it is rarely caught on film:

Reading one of her new books:

This picture melts my heart:

Mommy & Bryn played outside for awhile:

And (totally out of character for Mommy), I let Brynley splash in mud puddles.

She had a blast!

Happy birthday, my sweet Brynley! I can't believe you are two years old. We are trying to teach you to answer the question, "How old are you?" by holding up two fingers and saying "two", but you keep holding up four fingers. :)

Also, at some point in the past few months, apparantly when I wasn't paying attention, you stopped rubbing my fingers when you are tired. This was always a signature Brynley move...you have rubbed someone's fingers when you are sleepy since you were a tiny little baby. I miss it so much that my heart literally aches for it! Also, it reminds me that you are growing up way too quickly. I love seeing you learn new things and say new words, but for the sake of my sanity, please take it slowly!

I love you, boo bear!

Brynley's birthday party

Brynley's barnyard theme birthday party was held on 2/12/11 at our home. While the birthday guests arrived, B tried unsuccessfully to take a nap...I think she knew something was brewing and she wanted to be a part of it.

Party guests were Nana, Pawpaw, Aunt Tina, the Franklin family, and Lisa. We decorated with red and white crepe paper, bandana printed tablecloths and paper plates, dasies, and various decorative farm animals that I have around my house.

We had a lunch of cowboy chili, corn muffins, pigs in a blanket, chicken little eggs (deviled eggs), chicken feed (trail mix), lemonade, cow tales, milk duds, veggies from "Brynley's Garden Patch", haystack cookies, and cookies in the shape of a "2". After lunch, Bryn couldn't wait a second longer to get to the gifts. In typical two-year old fashion, she would open a gift, check it out for 20 seconds and then cast it aside for the next unopened package!

Next was the cake...a barnyard theme marble cake. I also got a small cake for party guest Lisa and she got serenaded with "Happy Birthday" a few minutes after Brynley (2/12 is Lisa's bday!). Last year during the singing, B just sat and stared, but this year she smiled from ear to ear.

My sweetheart had so much fun on her birthday!! The only thing I could wish for is that she stop growing up so fast! Here are some pics from the party:

Arriving at the party from her "nap":

A birthday hug from Kirsten:

Playing legos with Tyler:

The sweets:

Lunch:

Drinking from a cow cup:

Enjoying lunch. She loved the center of the deviled eggs:

Gift time:

Love her expression when she opened the doll house:

Cake and ice cream:

After the party guests left, Brynley went to bed very, very early and slept through the night. I guess the combo of a skipped nap and a birthday party did her in!

Happy birthday, Brynley, my precious little lady!

Little Girl

Brynley had her two-year checkup today. She is right on track developmentally. Of course, my sweetheart is still tiny:

22 lbs - 3rd percentile for weight
31 inches - 4th percentile for height

She is 78th percentile for head circumference which cracks me up!

Love my sweet, little, tiny girl!!

Happy Birthday!

Dear Brynley,


Two years ago today was one of the most exciting days of my life. A day that was filled with joy and anticipation ended amazingly when you were born at 9:03pm. I thought I would cry when I first held you, but I didn't; I couldn't stop smiling!!


The past two years has gone by very quickly, as I thought they would. I have enjoyed watching you learn new things and grow into a charismatic and happy toddler. When we are out together, you continue to get compliments about how adorable, smart, and friendly you are. B, you have personality!!



Before I became a Mommy, people told me that I couldn't even comprehend the intensity of the love that I would feel. They were right. You mean the world to me and every day I thank God that he let me be your Mommy. To quote one of your books, "I love you to the moon and back!"



Happy birthday, my heart, my love, my daughter...I love you, Brynley!!

Hair

Brynley sometimes has wild hair when she wakes up. It makes me wonder what exactly she was doing in her sleep! She usually wakes up in a good mood...babbling and smiling. This day was no exception until we got downstairs and I turned the camera on. Apparantly, my darling daughter did not wish to have this hairdo recorded for future reference!

Pouting against the door...trying to hide from my camera. Grouchy!


"You've got your photo! Are you happy now?"

Below: Same pj's...different day. Brynley played in her ball pit at Nana's house. It was quite the hair raising experience!

Bubble Wrap

When cabin fever sets in, break out the bubble wrap...

Stomp, stomp, stomp

A walk in the snow