Happy Second Birthday Lilah!

Happy second birthday Lilah June! It is bittersweet for me to say that. It is so fun watching you grow, but two means you are definitely not a baby anymore. How does the time go so quickly?! We had a wonderful celebration of your birthday this weekend. We swam and cooked out with Nana and Papa J, Grandmama and Papa T, and Uncle Jon, Aunt Christi, and Katherine. It was a perfect setting for you - a small group of people who love you and who you love dearly.

It is such fun to watch your personality emerge more each day. You are bashful around people you don't know. When strangers talk to you, you cast your eyes down and become a statue, as though they might not see you if you stood still enough.

In your comfort zones though, you are active, talkative, and ready to play. You love to play with your sister and her friends, but you also like to busy yourself doing your own thing - which is usually caring for your dolls and cooking in the play kitchen. You like to sing, 'Rock a baby' to your dolls, change their diapers, put them on the potty, and feed them. You like to act out the the things you see in life - cooking, carrying purses, and other nurturing, domestic activities. While you don't mind being an observer or staying close to Mommy when we are out and about, at home you are quite busy. 

Your vocabulary expands more each day. You like to tell me about what you see - 'Neigh, Mama,' 'Baby, Mama,' 'Snack, Mama.' You like to sing and dance. Right now you especially enjoy 'Manamana' from the Muppets. You sing, 'Do do manamana.' Very cute! You, Elise, and Daddy like to have dance parties in the evening after dinner.

You are generally sweet and up for anything, but you have an independent and stubborn streak as well. You like to be able to do things on your own and get very frustrated when you need help. I admire your drive and persistence, even if it makes my life more difficult at times. You remain a picky eater, but are getting better. The only way I can get you to eat veggies is pureed, which is better than nothing.  You'd prefer to eat goldfish crackers for every meal....

Lilah, your daddy and I love you to pieces. You are just as sweet and cute as can be. Happy birthday!