Birthday weekend re-cap.

This past weekend my baby girl turned 2 and we had a blast!!!  All of our efforts paid off when we saw the sheer excitement on Olivia's face during so many special moments throughout the weekend.  Birthday's are a big deal to me and I like to make them extra special.   ...and the best part, the celebration isn't over yet, her birthday party is this coming Saturday so my girl gets to have another day of fun dedicated to her!    (Planning her party for the following weekend as opposed to on her actual birthday was the best idea yet.  We spent family time together and did a bunch of fun things just for Olivia and next weekend we get to have more fun all over again!)   Saturday was her last day as a 1 year old.  We spent the day at a local festival and had a ton of fun walking around and enjoying the crisp fall weather.     Putting her to sleep that night was so bittersweet for me.  My little girl, growing up.  I lingered in her room a bit longer, gave her some extra hugs and kisses and snapped the last picture of her before she turned 2. 

Sleeping sweetly - October 6, 2012.   Her last night as a 1 year old.

After Olivia was asleep my husband and I blew up 3 dozen pink balloons and filled her room with them for a morning surprise!  When she woke up Sunday morning she was so excited with the "bloons!" 
I made her breakfast, her favorite, pancakes and bacon and we ate together as a family.  Olivia totally knew that it was her special day because she kept cheering "it's my bir-day! Hooray!"   After breakfast we opened presents.      We got dressed and played for a while.     We bought her a few things but her favorite was this Melissa and Doug shape sorter puzzle set.   My husband and I decided to take her out to lunch at one of our favorite little diners where she proudly ordered a "hot go (dog) and fries".  She told everyone "it's my bir-day!" and enjoyed all the attention! 

Acting silly at lunch!

 After lunch it was time for apple picking and unfortunately it was also time mother nature decided to start raining!  So, we improvised and had a short trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch.  Olivia loved it just the same.  We bought a few huge apples and some little pumpkins that Olivia picked out because the other ones were "too heavy!!!"  Since the weather didn't cooperate, we're going back one afternoon this week to do the corn maze and wagon ride.  

When we got home Olivia and I baked birthday chocolate chip cookies and enjoyed a couple of them warm, right out of the oven!     After dinner Olivia was pretty tired so we had a quick round of birthday cake, sang "Happy Birthday" about 5 times, took a bath and she fell fast asleep!      Olivia, I hope that you thoroughly enjoyed your birthday weekend!  Mommy and Daddy tried our best to make is super special and a ton of fun.  We love you more than words can express.  Happy 2nd birthday love!   (this week I'll share more about our plans for her birthday party this coming Saturday)   All pictures were previously shared on Instagram (my camera isnt working right, so sorry for the doubles)   Follow me on IG under username - Camarogirl819. All pics from this weekend are #OliviaTurns2 and #HappyBirthdayOlivia 

What a wild ride

Just 2 short years ago, I was holding a squishy pink newborn baby girl in my arms

and now I'm chasing that very same spunky little kid around the house! 

2 years, just a blip on the radar. 

2 years that have flown by, yet dragged on. 

There's really no way to understand how the very same moment can seem long, yet fleeting. 

Some days it all just blends together and others every.single.moment stands out. 

It’s the mix of craziness and calm. 

Smiles and tears.  Giggles and cry's.  Hugs and kisses and boo-boos and tantrums. 

This is what life as a Mother is all about. 

As Olivia approaches 2 years old, I'm feeling a mix of emotions. 

Proud, yet sad.  Happy, yet scared.  Worried, yet excited. 

There are moments when I am overwhelmed by fear of not being needed anymore. 

Olivia is showing so many signs of independence and that makes my Mama-heart ache for the newborn days, yet push her forward being her biggest cheerleader. 

I eagerly look forward to watching her grow, experience life and learn more about who she is and what she likes, yet I'm paralyzed by the sadness that her "babyness" is disappearing before my eyes. 

My baby girl is turning into a little girl.

What a wild ride this thing called Motherhood is.

   

In 6 days...

This week I'll be reflecting on my baby girls first 2 years of life.  It's amazing how fast, but yet how slowly this time has gone.  After this week I plan on discussing my faith journey a bit more to share how I've come to know the Lord and bits and pieces of my testimony thus far.  Hope you stick around.   In 6 short days our sweet Olivia will be 2 years old!  Two!Years!Old!  How does this happen?  Where has the time gone?  I swear there is some kind of time warp after you have children.  There is this mixture of feeling like she was just born but yet not remembering life before her.    Our life has never been richer.  Filled with love and excitement at seeing everything through the eyes of a child.  Our child.    It's an amazing feeling to show the world to this little being.  Watching her explore and seeing her grow.  Witnessing her heart grow kinder and more compassionate.   Seeing her become the caring little girl I long for her to be.    It's been (almost) two years with her and these have been the best two years of our lives.  Nothing compares to having a child of your own.  She's filled a spot in our lives that we didn't know was missing.    

Taken October 7, 2010.  First day on earth.