Ups and Downs of turning two...

Well Lucy's birthday party was spectacular. She had a fabulous time and got lots of great gifts from her grandparents and aunts and uncles. I made the much stressed over Cookie Monster cake.

The party really couldn't have gone better. Good food, good company, happy Birthday girl. We even watched a DVD full of short videos I've taken of her. It was great. The next day was a shower for Rachel, my brother's fiance. It went very well and Lucy enjoyed herself thoroughly (are you sensing a theme?).


Then Monday was the big day. The big 2. We were so excited to go to Grant's Farm. Our day started at about 6:45 a.m. like this:

We got her all ready to go and presentable and headed off to Grant's Farm, a very happy little family of 3. We were talking about how we would see lots of animals, and feed the baby goats, and see horses. She was super stoked. Frank and I would take turns looking back at her and saying "Happy Birthday". Each time produced a face just like this:

When we pulled onto Gravois Road, I was so excited. I know it was for her, but I swear I was much more excited! Then we pulled onto the side road to enter the farm. Lucy was chanting "farm" in the backseat and we were so excited. Then we got to the parking lot. EMPTY. Oh no. My pulse quickened - I swear. Closed!!!!!! Apparently, every good St. Louisan knows that Grant's Farm is closed each and every Monday. Yikes. Now I have to tell this estatic two year old in the backseat that the farm is closed. I feel a lump forming. So I turn around in my seat and gently break the news. "I'm sorry baby, the farm is closed today, we can't go in." It only took about 30 seconds to go from that happy go lucky little girl above to this one:

I really thought I was going to cry right along with her. The above face and several similar variations continued for about 20 minutes. We talked about what to do now. We had promised animals and wanted to follow through. So, we decided that it would be good enough (not really, but we were in a pinch) to go to Petsmart and looking at fish and ferrets and hamsters. The plan worked pretty well. We even got one good picture of her looking at "Dorothy" before a manager informed us they don't allow photography in the store. Huh?

We still felt awful about the farm experience gone wrong so quick trip through Toys r Us was in order. I think she was finally happy!

Two

Monday is the day. My baby will be two. I'm lucky enough to be able to be with her on her birthday and so will Frank. We are planning a day at Grant's Farm. She'll see some neat animals and feed the baby goats. It should be great.



So in honor of her turning two, I'm going nuts. We had pics done on Sunday. I posted my fave pic here. Pictures didn't go very well. It was pure chaos in there and Lucy and her cousin Gavin weren't having a good time, but we got what we went for and I was happy in the end.

I'm taking a little vacation from work. I'll have Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday with my girl. I'm really happy about this. Of course, it won't be relaxing though. I'm watching Gavin at my house on Thursday and he is a boy, he is all boy. Hopefully he won't pull any tricks on his favorite person ;) We have dinner plans Thursday night, lunch plans Friday, birthday party on Saturday and a bridal shower on Sunday. Busy is my middle name these days.

I'm very excited about her birthday party. I'm ordering salad, pasta, garlic bread and pizza for dinner and I'm making a Cookie Monster cake and chocolate chip cookies. We are also going to watch a DVD of videos I've taken of her with my digital camera (thanks Pop!). It should be a good time and of course bittersweet. The theme is Sesame Street of course. I'll be sure to take many many pictures.

Having an almost two year old is exhilirating and exhausting. She is talking up a storm these days and just all around cute. In addition to her Sesame Street obsession, she has discovered Shrek. Just the original so far. She loves it. She loves dong (donkey), Shre (Shrek), Pree (Princess) and Dra (dragon). She has many scenes that have to be rewatched so we can dance and dance and dance. She is always wanting me or Gammie to read to her in her big girl bed. I have memorized "Love you Forever" and it is her current must read. I must admit I find it a bit creepy, but hey, she loves it.

So as I look back on the last two years I've learned:

• You can't make a baby sleep.
• You can't make a toddler eat.
• "Just a minute" is not in her vocabulary.
• She is my world.
• I would give my life for her.
• I'm the center of someone's universe.

I know I'm not the first person to be a parent, but I'm the first person to have Lucy and I must say it is pretty heady to know that she is mine.