Turning 2 is the best!

I've been neglecting my blog lately, but life has just been too busy with organizing, cleaning, having fun, and most importantly, celebrating my little man's 2nd birthday!

I have honestly never seen a 1 year old more excited about turning 2 than Eli was. He has been talking about his friends, birthday cake, and presents for a few weeks, and his birthday party did not disappoint. My sister, Kelly, was sweet enough to be the photographer of his special day. Here are some of the highlights (you are going to need to like us a lot to stick with me through all these pics...

Mom, Dad, and Kate getting everything set up for Eli's party at Peek-A-Boo Playtown. If you look really closely, you can see some of the crafts I made for the party - Sesame Street signs that say "Eli is 2!" as cupcake toppers and pictures of Eli at birth, his 1 year old birthday, and his 2 year old birthday. I also made Sesame Street signs with the party guests' names on them for their gift bags. It was so fun to make!!!

"Yay! My friends are here!!!"

Playing with Elizabeth

Oscar, Cookie Monster, and Elmo :)

Being 2 means you have mad skills, like rock climbing.

Thanks, Aunt Kelly, for taking me on the slide!

Hanging with Abe on the bridge

Kate kept Nana pretty busy.

Eli and Cousin Andrew love to play together!

Bubble time! Eli's eyes turned red from all the soap, but he LOVED it!!!

Eli loves being 2!

I couldn't be more proud of my big boy!

Daddy couldn't be prouder either! We love you, Eli!

Notice Kate's wardrobe changed??? You don't even want to know how many people it took to get her cleaned up from that "little" accident (ahem, 5).

Thanks, Aunt Kacy, for playing in the ball pit with me!!!

Ok, so there is a crazy animated mother in this picture. And my camera died after this, so I didn't get pictures of all the cool presents Eli got. BUT at least I did get a picture of this awesome cape from Eli's friend, James C. His mom is so talented!

A picnic at the zoo on Eli's actual birthday with Mom, Dad, and Kate

I can't believe he is 2. It's so bittersweet. I'm so proud of the little man he is, but I hate that the time has to go by so quickly.

I know I'm going to wake up tomorrow, and it will be this big girl's 2nd birthday. I can't cherish this time in my life enough!!!

Is there something more wonderful in life than this?!?

It may be your birthday, Eli, but Kate's gonna getcha.

Swinging together. I love that they play so well together already. :)

Enjoying one of his presents from Mom, Dad, and Kate - his first pets! We named them Whitey and Big Orange. :)

I just can't believe 2 years has already passed since I had this moment...

There are no words to describe what this moment is like. Meeting someone for the first time that you already love indefinitely. I remember I couldn't stop smiling or stop kissing your face or stop cuddling you or stop checking to make sure you were still breathing. Just thinking about this moment in my life makes me cry (you did your fair share of crying, too). 

And now you are this...

My handsome, intelligent, loving 2 year old, who can already... count to 10 (and say ready or not, here I come); read all the letters of the alphabet in any order, spell his own name; identify circles, triangles, stars, hearts, rectangles, squares; say well over 300 words; sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Elmo Song, Jingle Bells and many more; read multiple books from memory; can say just about anything he wants to; can repeat absolutely anything he wants to; pray every night for everyone and everything he loves "thank you, Jesus, for Kate, Dada, Momma, Elmo, tv, ice cream, blankets, Poppy's house, red, bath, shoes..."; shake hands with anyone who is willing and says "Good to see ya"; beg to do arts and crafts and read books every day; give hugs and kisses all day long to his loved ones; help Momma with chores; clean up his own messes; and play with the best of 'em. You make me so proud, son. 

I love you very, very much; you are very, very special. Just the way you are is the way God made you. God is very proud of you, and I am very proud of you also. Love, Momma