"Happy, Happy"

I'm not even sure how to begin this post.

Two years have flown by so fast.

It seems like I only blinked my eyes, took a few breaths, looked away for a moment, and, now, the little baby boy that entered the world on January 4th, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. is two years old.

I just can't believe it.

Two years ago, my body was physically weakened, my mind was filled with all sorts of anxiety-ridden thoughts, and my heart wasn't convinced it could handle the business of being a mother and raising a child.

But I knew I loved that little guy in my arms.

That meant that I had to figure it out. For better or worse, he was mine.

Thank you, Jesus, for the best gift of my life. I'm so thankful that I haven't missed a second.

I'd even venture to say that we're at the very best stage right now. Tyler is full of whimsical comments, loves to dance, can't get enough of making you laugh, thinks firetrucks are the best tangible things in the universe, is addicted to chocolate milk, is fascinated by all things having to do with the potty (he told me tonight, as he was holding an Ernie figurine that "Ernie tee-tee in potty, Mommy!"), gives kisses every time you ask him, thinks Mommy hung the moon, could eat a pound of mashed potatoes...

he's awesome. Plain and simple. I wouldn't miss a second of this stage for everything in the world, and I wish I could bottle it all up and keep my baby boy JUST LIKE THIS forever.

Well, I'd like to get him potty trained first.

We celebrated Ty's second birthday at home yesterday. We'll have his big party on the 16th, and, since we'd just returned the night before from a two week whirlwind visit to Georgia, we were all anxious to just hang around the house and enjoy our breathing room.

Our big activity for the day was baking a birthday cake. I can't say I've ever had as much fun as I had baking that cake with my little man. We made a mess, got covered in icing and sprinkles, and almost made ourselves sick on sugar. It was a total blast!

The funniest part of the day was listening to Ty sing the birthday song. He doesn't really know the traditional song because they sing an upbeat, spunky version on the Sprout Sunny Side Up Show every day, so he's learned that one. It starts out, "Happy, happy birthday to you (to you)." So, each time you asked Tyler if it was his birthday, and every time someone would call to wish him a happy birthday, he'd say, "Happy, happy!" It made me giggle every time! He's just precious.

Tonight, I am filled with pride thinking of Tyler and how much he's grown in two years. He makes me so, so happy. I hope he'll always know how much we love him because I know there aren't nearly enough words to adequately express our feelings.

Happy birthday, Baby Ty!

Ty enjoyed stirring the cake batter...

...and licking the bowl!

Lydie cheered us on from her new "Big Girl" seat that Granddaddy and Mimi sent her for Christmas. She's growing up, too!

How did I get so blessed with two beautiful children?? I adore them.

A cake artist, I am not, but I tried. And, I laughed really hard while doing it!

After his nap, I let Ty have his way with the sprinkles. Oh, boy!!

He was so proud of the finished product! I even caught him digging in it before dinner. The icing all over his face kind of gave him away!

He was excited to eat his first piece as his afternoon snack.

I thought it was cute how he ate it like a brownie!

When Daddy came home, we lit the candle, sang the birthday song, and ate some more. Actually, we ate more after we lit the candle a total of five times because he enjoyed blowing it out so much! I hope all five of his wishes come true!!