Happy 2nd Birthday, Grace!

Grace Renee,

You are 2?  Really??  Part of me can’t believe how fast you are growing up.  The other part of me can’t believe it has only been two years since God blessed us with you.  I can hardly remember what life was like before you.

This past year was when you found your voice, your sweet, little, everything-sounds-so-innocent voice.

• You went from calling me something that sounded too much like Hiney to calling me Ommy and then finally Mommy.  Just this past week we caught you calling Daddy Honey and Nate!  You pick up on everything!
• You love talking on the phone and ask to call family every. single. day.
• When you want something you ask for it over and over and over again until you get a response. “Snack? Snack? Snack? Snack? Snack? Snack? Snack?”
• Sometimes I feel like I need a toddler translator to understand you and other times I am the translator!
• Some where along the way you went from asking for more to asking for apple – at least it sounds like you are saying apple!  It is especially fun to hear you ask for more apples!
• Recently you started saying, “Bless you, Mommy.” whenever I sneeze or cough!  You even say, “Bless you, Grace.” when YOU do it!

You learned how to do so much this year.

• You can go up and down the stairs like a pro.
• You can open the refrigerator, which I’m not too thrilled about.
• You help out by throwing things in the trash can for us.
• You are a pro at feeding yourself with silverware, even your breakfast cereal.
• Daddy and I were especially surprised when you learned all your letters and colors!!  Now you’ve started counting.  “1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 6, 2, 3!”  So cute!

Grace, you fell in love with so many things this year.

• Books will always be your first love.  I never tire of listening to you “read” all your books.
• Riding on horsey!  I think you would LIVE on a merry-go-round if you could!
• Hands down your new favorite food is blueberries.
• I love how you let all your energy out by running around the house in circles over and over again.
• Purple Yellow!  You are so addicted to your pacifiers!!  You ask for them by color and always have to have two.  Before having kids, I never thought my kids would have a pacifier for so long, but I had no idea how attached you would become!
• One of my favorite moments of each day is snuggling with you after your nap.  You’re just like your mama – slow to wake up.  I hope I can hold you like that for years to come.

Grace, our nursing relationship experienced some ups and downs this year.  When you were born, I honestly didn’t think we would make it to a year.  We were lucky to make it beyond a year and to have such a smooth weaning process.  A miracle happened when you started drinking cow’s milk!!  I never thought that day would come since you refused it sooo many times.

You are growning up, Pumpkin.  I’m having so much fun watching it all.  Just don’t rush it, ok?  I love you being little.  You’ll always be my baby.

I love you, Grace Renee.  Happy Birthday!

Mommy