Nora - Turning Two

On this day two years ago, I spent all day waiting, waiting, waiting, not knowing what was going to happen or who was going to join our little family or how I'd come to feel about this person. And now, here you are, and every single day, I'm astounded and amused and amazed by who you are, Nora Bean. You are light and sunshine, you are endless smiles and endless chatter, and while your father and I had a life we enjoyed when it was just the two of us, we both cannot imagine how we could have lived our whole lives in a world without knowing you. At two, you know your alphabet, all your colors, can count to 30 (mostly - some of those teens are tricky numbers), sing little songs and chatter to yourself nonstop about all sorts of things. Last night at dinner, you told us a wonderful story about going to the grocery store to ride in the blue carpet (you mean cart, but say carpet), where we'd visit loud fish with lots of loud golden water going by and you were going to stand right there on the edge! (Very emphatic about that part.) You like red, you love snuggling with your kitty cats, you are interested in bugs and snakes and spiders and any bird or animal you see ("talk more about crickets!" or "talk more about frogs!" is something I hear a lot.) You enjoy books and pictures of babies, you currently love all things Frances and Little Grey Rabbit and although you've only seen a few minutes of him on television, you dearly love Elmo. And the garbageman, who, you are sure, wants to come and play blocks and hang out with you and Donald Duck and Chip and Dale. You've had a great morning today! We decided that getting you wound up at the end of the day wasn't a good idea, so you got your presents this morning. Poppy and Granny sent you a red tricycle that you've been pushing around the living room (I'm pretty sure figuring out the bell is only a matter of time...) and some money for your savings account, and Uncle Kelly and Aunt Mary sent you an Elmo book, a stuffed Elmo, an Elmo toothbrush, two very sweet long-sleeved shirts, and an Elmo card. Mama and Daddy continued our tradition of getting you a charm (last year, you got the Tiffany charm bracelet and a little bean) and this year's charm is a little "I love to read" book, because you certainly do. We got you some animal toys and a few new books, including Little Grey Rabbit's Birthday, and tonight, there will be, per your request, "chocolate birthday cake with lots of candles." I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much we love you, how delightful it's been to watch you change and grow, and what a privilege it is to have you with us. Happy birthday, sweet girl - Mama hopes the light that's in you today will be with you always....