Two, much!

As June 6th, 2012 nears, it is apparent in more ways than one, that Lily is almost two years old. She's revealed that she is fairly adept at hoisting herself out of her crib. Yikes. It's too early for a toddler bed, I mean, we would have to strap her down in order to keep her in bed (and that's not allowed,is it?). Also, the tantrums have reared their ugly head. We're doing our best to try not to acquiesce her demands (i.e Dora, ice cream cones, etc) but are only human and sometimes we cave under the sheer force of her toddler will. I know, two steps forward, three steps back. We're all a work in progress over here. 


Don't get me wrong, we are enjoying all moments, great, small, joyful and difficult and this comes with the territory. It's just that at present it's all new territory that we're navigating. On the upside of TWO, we are all working together to get ready for her second birthday party which will be carousel themed this year. This idea was born simply of her love of carousels. 

Allow me to introduce Exhibit A

Lily's love affair with fiberglass horses began at the carousel at the Woodland Park Zoo. Chris and I had taken her for a ride and when the carousel came to a stop, Lily decided she'd prefer to stay on and ride 3 more times. Such a jockey. And when those four rides came to a conclusion, the screaming began (we're working on this, don't judge). It's just because she's (clearly) very passionate about riding horses. However, when visiting our friend Allie and her new horse, Luna, Lily politely declined to sit nicely on Luna's back, for a photo. Here's the proof. Apparently it's just the inanimate horses that do it for her.

"Nooo! I only ride horses with PINK manes, PINK!"

Regardless, we have decided that Lily will appreciate the carousel theme. It has become a sort of tradition that my mother and I plan Lily's parties and so far, my parents have hosted them at their house because it really lends itself to entertaining. We have vivid imaginations and ideas and this tends to manifest itself in the parties we plan for Lily. It is fun and definitely a labor of love, but also exhausting. This year as a splurge, we've decided to hire local photographer, Julie Harmsen to capture Lily in all her sugared up, two year old, glory so that years down the road, we'll still have the beautiful photos to remind us of the lovely way we celebrated Lily's milestones. Julie is one of those incredible photographers that exacts the perfect shot, the one that you yourself try to hold frozen in memory forever. She has an impeccable eye and we're so excited to see what beautiful moments she will catch from behind her lens. 

Lily, we've come a long way baby, and you're only two. We can't wait for all the adventures that lay ahead and we're blessed and thankful for all the joy you have already brought to our lives. The fact that you are now starting to talk up a storm is also exciting. You can actually say TWO, but it's still lost on you that TWO is the milestone we'll be celebrating in a few weeks. We can't wait, this party if going to be TWO MUCH FUN! (Yes-I did)