Hannah is 2!

I can’t believe my baby girl turned 2 on Friday!  Unfortunately the poor girl had quite a week.  Tuesday night she went to the dog park with her dad and got clotheslined by some guy’s dog’s leash and when she woke up the next morning her neck was not pretty.  So when she woke up from her nap on Thursday with a 103 degree fever, I thought that maybe there was an infection or something was wrong.  Apparently the incidents were completely unrelated, but she spent her birthday fighting a fever. 

That evening we took her on the merry go round and we were able to crack a few smiles from her, but certainly not the way that anyone should spend their birthday.  At least I was able to spend her birthday with her cradled in my arms and laying on my chest.  I didn’t get one thing done and Taylor was neglected for the day, but I loved every single second I spent cuddled with my baby girl.

Mickey Waffle for her Birthday Breakfast!

Suffering through opening presents (that pic still makes me sad), trying to enjoy her minnie trike and a rocket ride with her sister!

On Saturday, the fever broke and we had some family and friends come over to celebrate.  I don’t think Hannah is big on lots of people in her face, but she handled it well and it was a great evening to remember just all of the love we have around us.

Taking in a big breath before trying to blow out that last candle

My first attempt with using fondant... I definitely have work to do in mastering my skills, but I thought it turned out cute (as long as you don't look at the other side).

This was prior to Hannah being completely engulfed by her cousins while opening presents.  By that time she let them open them for her, but they were happy for that!

As Hannah embarks on this new year, these are just a few things about her at this point in her life and some of her favorite things…

Her best friend is her sister.  She does like hanging out with her friends Lauren and Maci, but she worships the ground her sister walks on.  She plays with her all day and mimics everything she does.  There is nothing that brings me more joy than watching the two of them play together.

Her favorite toy/character is  “Mynee” (Minnie Mouse).  She is completely obsessed.  I would love it if she would watch Sesame Street or something educational when she watches TV (she is a total couch potato), but all she ever wants to watch is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and now she has been inundated with Minnie Mouse toys to feed her obsession.

Her favorite book is the Gingerbread Man.  If you’ve ever read it, it can be a bit repetitive, but she will finish sentences and will request it every night.  Sadly, I’m just a kid at heart because when she talks about the fox, she doesn’t say fox, it sounds like an f word that should not be repeated and I can’t help but point to the fox and have her repeat it multiple times.  I’m the worst!

Her favorite song is “Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree” (church song).  We could sing it 100 times and she would still say “gen” (again).  There are a few words and hand actions she will do throughout the song, but she LOVES it!

Her favorite color is green.  I don’t think she actually knows what green is, but she just loves to say it, so at this point, I’ll just assume that it’s her favorite color.

Her favorite treat is M&Ms. She loves chocolate. 

As for food, she used to be such a great eater, but in the last few months, she has lost her love of food.  This is one of our struggles right now.  So I’m going to say maybe a hot dog from Costco or chicken nuggets, but honestly who knows what her favorite food is.  It’s a miracle when I can get her to eat!  AAAAAAHHHH!!!!

All in all, this girl has brought me more joy in the past two years than I ever thought possible.  Before she was born, I never thought that I could ever love another child as much as I love Tay.  I know that sounds crazy, but I couldn’t understand how you could love 2 children the same.  I’ve learned so much in the last two years.  So you parents can laugh at me right now.  But I have learned that I actually don’t love my children the same, I love them differently.  They are two completely different human beings and they are each loved in their own special way, yet each one is loved completely and unconditionally more than words can ever express and that you will only know once you become a parent (as my mom used to tell me). 

I am so grateful for my little Hannah and the miracle that she is and for all of the joy and love she has added to our family.  Happy Birthday my little Banana!