Olive is TWO

August 26 snuck up on me.

How can my baby be two? I'm always pregnant by now when the next child is this age. But I'm not. And for some reason even though she's not my last kid, I have this underlying anxiety about her getting older. Or maybe it's just sadness?? I just really feel like time is flying away.

I went in to get her from her crib in the morning, holding the video camera. I announced that it was her birthday and her eyebrows seemed to raise as she mulled this new information over. It apparently sat well because she was all smiles and excited giggles as we made our way downstairs to the donuts.

She blew those candles out like she'd been doing it her whole life. (Twice, actually. Missed it with the camera the first time.)

I feel super bad, but her day was not exactly monumental. We just stayed home. What else would we do? I had her help me make her cake, which she loved and wanted to pour and stir all herself. 

What I get when I ask for smiles...

She is a good eater so I had a hard time coming up with a dinner I thought she might prefer more than something else. I settled on spaghetti and meatballs and she ate it up! Maybe it was the massive birthday platter that did the trick. 

Don't ask me when it started, but I swear my boys have an indelible expectation  that a piñata goes with any and every birthday. Since we weren't having a party or anything else exciting, I obliged. I couldn't find one at Wal-mart though (turns out I was looking in the wrong spot), so I made one. Yes, that Chinese looking contraption there is a pinata. No snickering. It actually took me forever even though it's just a tissue box covered in cupcake liners. Whatever. They all loved smacking it. And the candy that reigned down was preferable to even the birthday cake. (Weston actually declined the cake, simply stating he'd be waiting for piñata candy.)

I may have gotten carried away with presents.

 Hey, it's my first girl.

Plus, I always forget to factor in Grandma's presents and Aunt Rachel's. 

Grandma got her clothes and jewelry and Aunt Rachel gave her a Minnie Mouse figurine that she loves.

I got her this "Fly Bike" because she has a hard time on all other ride on toys on our slanted driveway. (It's been perfect, btw.)  She also LOVES high heel shoes, purses and jewelry at Megan's house so that's exactly what I got her. Along with a new baby doll and bottles. Oh, and some church dresses! She was TOO CUTE to watch open presents. Her eyes would light up as she reached out for the next box, shrilling screaming, "Pwesents!! Pwesents!!" And as she pulled away the paper, she couldn't help herself, she'd let out high pitched squeals and "Oooohooos!!" It was delightful. Because SHE is delightful. 

 And look at this adorable decoration that Aunt Marcie found for her room?!!! I die! It's so, crazy perfect! I love this girl's name. And I love plays on words. That print was made for me.... and Olive. ;)

 How do I sum up this ball of spunk?

She is ALL girl. Very into lip gloss, my heels, looking pretty, holding a purse, getting her nails painted and wearing jewelry.

She is feisty and doesn't like to back down. But if you ask nicely and wait, she'll usually break into a smile and come running, or give back whatever she took. Or come get her diaper changed. It's almost like she's teasing.

She is a great sleeper (my reward for her being such a difficult newborn) and never cries when she's put in her crib. I sit in the rocking chair first and cradle her with her head against my shoulder and rock and sing Rock-a-bye Baby and I'm a Child of God. Just recently she started chiming in on a few words and trying to sing with me! Melted my heart.

She wakes up happy and will talk to herself and chill in her crib if we don't come for her right away.

She loves to play with her brothers and be included in their games and outdoor shenanigans.

She's very aware of when she's done something wrong and needs to say sorry. She'll usually say, "Saw-we, mom-mom" and lean her head on me like she's giving a hug. Always with the thumb still in her mouth.

She thinks it's funny to run while shaking her head back and forth.

She insists on climbing into the car and car seat all by herself.

She is lazy when she's eating and tries to play helpless and get people to spoon feed her.

"Help! Help!" She'll cry out from her highchair, with a full bowl of cereal in front of her.

She LOVES Malt-o-meal and fruit snacks. You almost can't announce that it's time for a snack because she'll run in all frenzied, shouting "Snack! Snack!", thinking a fruit snack is being handed out.

She JUST barely started tolerating TV. She might sit for a few minutes of Curious George, but she really loves Kidsongs.

She sits pretty good every day when getting her hair done, but needs something to hold or play with. And sometimes the only way I'll get her to cooperate is by saying, "Don't you want to look pretty?" (Bad confession, I know. I shouldn't say that! But little girl's hair in their eyes is such a huge pet peeve!!)

She has always loved her blankie, but it's just gotten to a new level. She won't put it down anymore and wants to take it wherever she goes. Ugh! Even when I've smuggled them into the washing machine, she starts calling for her blankie and has a tantrum when I tell her they're getting washed.

She is talking so much now!! In sentences and everything. I love how she calls cookies, "tookies" and likes to keep tabs on everyone by asking me all day, "Air Daddy?" (Where Daddy) or "Air Wesson?"

I feel like in so many ways, she is a combo of Collin and Weston. Can be sweet and cuddly like Weston but still has the energy and feistiness of Collin! She really is a good girl and so much fun to have! We joke that she is the boss around here. ;)Whenever we peek on her at night, I feel like my heart just leaps out of my chest and surrounds her cherub cheeks. It is absolutely amazing the love I have for this sweet little Miss of mine.