Happy Birthday, Big Girl!

The dust has settled. Three parties later, I am still basking in the joy of celebrating our Big Girl's 2nd Birthday! It is hard to believe that the sweet, tiny girl that we brought home--one who was totally reliant on us for everything--is now two years old and can do so much for herself.

For her first birthday we had a simple cake with two friends over. We figured she didn't understand and we didn't want to make a big fuss.

This year was all about the fuss! Big Girl had a party at her daycare with her classmates on Friday, a party with family and friends on Sunday (her actual birthday) at grandma and grandpa's house, and a party at home on Monday with her friends from the neighborhood. All in all, she had so much fun, and we had fun watching her! Here are a few pictures from each party...

Now that the dust has settled, we are settling into some major life shifts in anticipation of Baby Girl's arrival in June. Big girl bed, anyone? As I've said before, parenting is no joke—especially with a precocious and sometimes stubborn toddler—but watching her celebrate her birthday, hearing her say her entire name (all five of them), and all that comes with her growth and development is a beautiful thing! I am looking forward to her continued growth, and watching her come into her own as a big sister. Before we know it, she'll be graduating kindergarten, graduating sixth grade, celebrating her sixteenth birthday, and going off to college. And until then, I will cherish every moment...