I'm 2!

For the few weeks leading up to Hayden's 2nd Birthday we tried and tried to teach her how to say "I'm 2!", when asked how old she was. She never quite got it down but seeing how she's a little parrot these days she had no problem repeating us if we said it first. Adorable, either way. Today was her actual birthday and unfortunately I had to work. I got to tell her good morning and Happy Birthday when she first woke up. Her Daddy made her some extra special Birthday pancakes with whip cream and sprinkles for breakfast:

Isn't he the BEST?! I think so. I LOVE that guy!

We did all of the celebrating for her Birthday last Sunday. Fortunately, her party day landed on one of the most beautiful days so far this year. The turn out was fantastic and with all the sun we were able to break out the bounce house, squirt guns, bubbles, side walk chalk, hula hoops, jump ropes, a pinata, etc...It actually felt like summer. I don't think I've ever seen Hayden play that hard. It was SO fun to watch her with that many kids, laughing and playing. Here are just a few of the many, many photos taken that day.

Cousin Holland and Hayden

Chasing after Princess

Bubbles with Auntie "NoNo"

Big Wheel from Mommy and Daddy

Chris did all of the decorating (Hayden did the sprinkles)

Her face lit up when we sang her "Happy Birthday"

Blowing out her B-Day candle

And just to toot my own horn real quick, I made Hayden's cake this year. I took a shot at a rainbow cake I saw on Pinterest. I had very low expectations of my ability to pull it off so when I attempted the first round with just one box of cake and it turned out super thin, I wasn't too disappointed. I went back to the store and tried it with a double batch of cake mix and it totally worked! Everybody loved it! It's rare that I find things on Pinterest that I think I want to try that I ACTUALLY follow through with. I should do stuff like that more often. It was SUPER fun!

I can't believe my baby is 2! I can't believe I've been a Mom for 2 years!  I have learned more in the last 2 years about myself and what I am capable of than I had the entire 28 years of my life before Hayden was a part of it. It's amazing how much having a child turns your world up-side-down! It is the most challenging and gratifying work I have ever known. And I am grateful for EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. Happy Birthday Hayden Marie. Mommy loves you with ALL that she is and ever will be.