Cake!!

We had Emma's birthday party today and it was so much fun!! We had her friends over for a "play-doh" party and I set out tables of play-doh and tools to play with and I think it was a big hit (and actually not as mess as you'd think). Jamie and I did a horrible job taking photos now that I look through them, but we did manage to get a lot of pictures of her AMAZING cake. My friend Sarah made it and it was by far the most gorgeous cake I've ever seen!! I loved it and Emma did too! As soon as she laid eyes on it she was smacking her lips and asking to "eat cake". I'm the mean mommy that made her wait.

The cake and cupcakes

Waiting to sing

The surprise inside

CAKE!!!

smack, smack

Oh, so pretty!

Can you believe how awesome this cake is?

TWO!!!

Then:

Now:

Dearest Emma,

Today you turned two, or as you like to say "sue". You are beyond amazing. You are smart and funny and beautiful. You LOVE animals, the colors blue and pink, reading books, blankets and lovies, and giving hugs and kisses. You're speech is taking off and you'll repeat almost any word that we say. You now say "I love you" without prompting and it makes my heart burst with joy. You're favorite thing to do is talk on the phone and have stopped letting me talk because you want to do it. You love to run, climb, slide, ride your bike and be outside. You love "pretties", having your toes painted, purses and shoes. You're a girly girl and a tomboy at the same time.

You bring so much joy to everyone who knows you and it's unbelievable how far you have come. It's amazing that 2 years ago you weighed 2lbs 12oz and now you're (finally!!) over 20lbs! You are one of the happiest children I know and it's evident how much you love life. You are the most wonderful child that I could ever imagine and I am so blessed that you are mine. I love you more than works can say!

Mama

It's hard to imagine that 2 years ago I had no idea how my life was about to change. Everyone tells you that having a baby changes your life, but it's really impossible to understand until it happens. Last year I was in a hard spot on Emma's birthday, as the day brings some hard memories. I won't lie and tell you that I don't feel those same things still, that I don't lie awake at night and think about the day that she was born or wonder how things might have been different. But despite all that it becomes more evident to me every day why things happened the way they did. I would never wish our story on anyone. Having a preemie is hard and it's not the way anyone wants to experience the beginning of their child's life. However I would never change things. Being a mom of a preemie has inspired me to truly find my passion in life. It's reminded me to never take anything for granted because I know how fleeting life can be. I have met some wonderful friends because I'm a preemie parent.
Being a mother is far and away the most amazing experience. The love I have for Emma can't be explained in words. It's more than I ever thought it could be and I'm grateful every day for this experience. I'm grateful for Emma and the person she has helped me become.

Terrible might be an understatement

We have entered the "terrible twos." Words can't express how much fun we're having this week. Poor Jamie is out of town and missing all the fun. I was a nanny, I thought I knew what I was in for, but this is ridiculous. I don't think I could even count the tantrums that Emma has thrown this week. She has one when she gets in the carseat and one when she gets out. One when you offer her food and one when you don't. One when you ask if she wants to talk on the phone and one when I'm talking because she didn't want to. EVERYTHING causes a tantrum and she's learned tha if she says "owie" it gets my attention. She changes from an angel to Satan in half a second and then back again just as quickly. She's a toddler version of Dr. Jeckell and Mr. Hyde.
I am at my whit's end. I have never experienced this and am definately not equipped to handle it.
Please tell me it won't be like this all year.



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