Happy Birthday, Lily!

Miss Lily turned 2 yesterday. TWO! How is she two already?! She doesn’t have her two year well-check until the end of the week, so the fun stats (and I know you’re all dying to know just how big she is now!) will have to wait. For now though, I can share the two year pictures I took of her on Friday, and her annual birthday letter! (Party pics to come tomorrow.)

And this is how I bribed her…. chocolate chips! I thought about cropping so you couldn’t see as much of the background, but then thought some of you might find it interesting to see a semi-pullback of the set-up! As you can see, this is not my real wall or floors.

Dear Lily,

Oh, Munchkin, how is it that you’re two years old already?! We cannot believe how much you have grown and changed in the last year. In the last year, you’ve mastered walking, running, climbing, and wrestling. You talk, sign and laugh with the best of them. You totally have this potty training thing under control, and you’re a master at dumping out baskets of toys…. right after your brothers picked them up.

Your brothers (especially Jackson) absolutely adore you! Well, they adore you most of the time. It really irritates them when you sit directly in front of them while they’re playing a video game, or when  you turn the TV off while they’re watching it. Secretly, that makes me laugh though, because they used  to turn the TV off on me and it drove me nuts! (I’m especially remembering when I tried watching the inauguration 4 years ago!)

I’ve loved watching your little mothering instincts emerging this year. Without any leading at all, you suddenly started putting blankets over stuffed animals, and offering them drinks from your cups or offering your pacifier. Since getting a few baby dolls and accessories for Christmas (and now your birthday too), the “mothering” has really taken off! It’s just adorable to watch!

We can’t wait to see what new things you do in the coming year. We love you Lily, and are so glad you’re in our lives!

Love,

Mommy