Celebrating two years!

Olivia is two years old today! I still remember bringing her home from the hospital and how ecstatic I was to have the daughter I always knew I would.

I never dreamed I'd have as beautiful of a daughter as Olivia has turned out to be. Her smile truly lights up the room.

I wrote Olivia's birthday letter tonight but wanted to share what she's been up to this past year.  Olivia, my precious girl, at two years old you:

-are such a joy to have around....at least most of the time!

The past six months have been up and down but the more you learn to talk and communicate, the happier you are. You are talking in two to three word sentences and are so proud when you learn new words. You have such dramatic facial expressions which I imagine you mimic from me.

-are such a little caregiver. You love on Isaiah and when he fusses, you try and "shhhh" him and calm him down. Just today, momma wasn't feeling too great this afternoon, and when I said that out loud, you immediately came over and put your hand on my forehead to see if I had a fever!

-are still a pretty adventurous eater but your appetite has slowed down lately. Last week, you ate homemade baked kale chips, which I couldn't believe! You aren't usually afraid to try new things.

-are into EVERYTHING these days! You are such a little daredevil and somehow are a magnet for off-limit things (like coloring all over the walls, dining room table, you name it). The other day, I caught you in the bathroom and you looked like a smurf! At first I thought you had covered yourself with your toothpaste but when I smelled what it was, I immediately knew it was Isaiah's selsun blue shampoo!!! You climbing all over the tables, both coffee and dining room. I blame it on your big brother!

-weigh about 24 pounds we think. You are wearing 2T clothes and still some 18-24 month clothes. You were a size 6 shoe and wear a size 4 diaper when you do wear disposable.

-are finally sleeping through the night most nights. Occasionally you get a little help (aka Benadryl) but it's okay with Dr. Lisa, so it's okay with me! If only I could give your baby brother some *sigh*..... You take a 2-3 hour nap on the days we're home but if we're out, you're usually good to go with a little catnap in the car.

-are quite the aggressive little girl! At the gym, you are often taking toys from other kids. When you see someone with something you want, you have no problems chasing that person around in order to try and get it. You don't take no for an answer most times!

-are so strong-willed and independent which often causes you much frustration!

-when you are happy, you are THE sweetest thing. I can't get enough of you. You love giving and receiving affection and are such a daddy's girl! He's wrapped so tight around your finger but shhhh, we won't tell him that!

Olivia, we love you more than we could ever tell you! Our lives would be incomplete without you. You bring such liveliness to our house and such a prissy priss. We pray you will do great things with your life. We trust God has a great plan for you and we want to help you reach your full potential in the Lord. I hope I raise you to be a woman, wife, and mother after God's own heart. You are so precious to us and we love you more than the whole world!