The 2nd Birthday Post

This past weekend, our little girl turned two.  Despite being year two, the past year included a lot of firsts for Maia - first time in the snow for example, or the numerous food firsts as we transitioned to solid food.  As I'm sure is typical, while year one is highlighted by physical growth you can see - starting as a scrawny new born and ending as a burgeoning toddler; year two seems highlighted by the growth you don't physically see, but that you notice.  The increase confidence in walking, and then running, and then climbing.  The growing vocabulary.  The developing personality.  The "will of her own."  Thus, we began year two with the "burgeoning" toddler as I called it, who really did toddle along;  We end year two and begin year three with a full blown "mini person," a rapidly developing little girl who has her own personality, her own will, and the increasing vocabulary and desire to expres said will, along with her dissatisfaction when not getting it.  Its both exciting and terrifying.

As it is customary, we had a birthday party this weekend to honor Maia's second birthday, where we were given better weather than last year's blizzard like conditions and celebrated with family.  Jackie's planning resulted in the birthday having a book theme; of course a tribute to Maia's love of reading over the past year. (For example).

[youtube=http://youtu.be/gE4Q6dGBGb4]

Consistent with this theme was the decor and menu for the party.  We had caterpillar fruit kabobs (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), meatballs (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), ham slider sandwiches and deviled eggs, died green (green eggs and ham), and centerpieces giving tribute to "Little Blue Truck" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom."   Everything considered, it seems that the decor and food was a big hit, particularly as we (thankfully) did not have many leftovers.



[caption id="attachment_801" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Centerpiece for Maia's favorite books over the last year.[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Themed food[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The "book themed" birthday cake.[/caption]

Following lunch was present opening time, and Maia didn't need any help this year; she knew exactly what to do (should make Christmas fun!).  There was of course the difficulty of letting go of one particular present or toy to move on to the next, but she's just embracing all that is toddlerism.  This took a little while because of everyone's generosity, but it was nice to see Maia get many of the "next level" toys, toys that will allow her some more creativity than what we currently have for her.  All in all, from the tea set and custom alphabet book, to new clothes and playdoh, we are very grateful.  Maia's immediate favorite was a music playing toy that she immediately started dancing to.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/SoHPnbS5XNk]

The joyous party was concluded with the sharing of cake and ice cream, but not before Maia reminded us all that she is, if nothing else, a true toddler; during both attempts to sing her "Happy Birthday," both loudly and quietly, she cried (and I mean bawled).  The result of too much birthday, I suppose.  She calmed down to enjoy her cake and ice cream, and the rest of enjoyed a laugh at the humorous moment.

Looking back, its been another fantastic year.  Maia continues to be a constant joy in our lives; and watching her become more confident, to become more of her own individual, has been an incredibly rewarding and...happy...experience for me.  Looking ahead, I can see why the toddler stage is so popular, both for its moments of wonderment and joy as a parent, and for its moments of frustration (terrible twos, after all).  But I'm looking forward to it and all the new adventures and experiences it will bring.

"I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick