Happy Birthday! Jane turns 2!

We had a birthday week!  First up was a family Sunday celebration at our home for Erik, me and Jane. Well, mostly it was about Jane.  She somehow picked up on what a birthday cake was weeks before now, so it was the cutest to hear her say 'birthday cake' over and over again and get really excited.  She even got the hang of blowing out the candles, although we had to re-light several times.

On Wednesday, her actual birthday, I let her open a present from Jeff and I but that's about it.  We spent some time with Jane's friend Stella in the morning, playing everything from princesses to noodles to 'nap time', then later that day helping a friend clean.

We also went swimming.  Lately when I ask if she wants to go swimming, Jane will start saying "Mermaid, swimming."  When Jeff asks her to swim she'll say "Mermaid."  So I think she's already got some imagination going on in that cute little head of hers.  And she does love mermaids.

Saturday was the kicker.  Spent the whole day preparing the cookies and cake and decorations.  I've been wanting to improve my cookie making and decorating skills.  I nailed the sugar cookie recipe but the decorating needs work.  However, I am not saying they were not cute, they were.  Just could have been a little better. We borrowed a bouncy house from a friend and I was worried that Jane wouldn't participate but she did and loved it.  So did a lot of her little friends, so success!

Another birthday cake.  This one was not too difficult, but the results were fantastic, I loved the way it turned out.  When Jane saw it, she made a gasp and said, "Birthday cake (wait for it)... Thank you, mom." This is officially the first time she has said thank you in a way that I didn't feel was automatic. Like when she asks for a treat and I give her one, she'll say it.  But this one felt like true thanks.  Made me happy whether she meant it or not.  And boy did she enjoy that cake (especially the blue icing part).

It was a lot of work but overall I enjoyed planning and hosting the party.  Really I love arranging social things, even though I'm not a very social person.  Weird, I know.  I just like seeing people interact and having fun together, and I like being with friends.  Of course a 2 year old party is still mostly for the parents!  I had tons of help from Jeff, my mom, and Kaylie, a girl who lives close by and sometimes comes by to say hello to Jane.

This year I picked out the theme way in advance so I could grab things on sale as I saw them.  That was highly successful so I'll have to go ahead and decide what I want to do for her next year.  Problem is, I don't know what she'll be into a year from now!  I'll bet a safe bet is princesses.  Isn't that what every 3 year old little girl loves?

Well it's been a great 2 years so far, Baby Jane.  I guess I can't call you that anymore, since you are practically a little girl now.  You are my favorite little person on the planet and it feels like I've loved you forever.  Perhaps I have. It's true that a child makes your heart grow bigger.  It seems like my whole heart is yours and yet I love others more too because of being your mom.  Motherhood allows me to feel empathy more readily, to be understanding and more patient and compassionate with others and at the same time more kind to myself.  I love you so much.  I wish I could make time stand still, but at the same time, I know the best is yet to come, and you will always be my little girl. You will teach me more about love than I could ever have learned without you in my life.