We have a 2 year old!

I can't believe we can say we have a 2 year old! That makes us feel like we are starting to get old and actually be "grown-ups" or something.  Last Saturday Merrilee turned 2! I remember when she was born 2 years ago. She came 2 weeks early and unexpectedly after a long day of teaching. I was sick as a dog and we had nothing ready! Nevertheless, Merrilee decided to enter the world and join our family the night of Feb. 4. What a blessing she has been to us. She has always been such a happy, easy-going girl. We love watching her grow up!

Newborn 

1 year old

2 year old

Here are some of our favorite things about Merrilee as a now 2 year old:
-She copies what we say (We have to be careful!)
-She likes to sing songs with us.  She knows many words to many songs. Her current favorites are "I am a Child of God" and "Twinkle, Twinkle"
-She sits and very expressively reads books to herself.
-She says "Pease" and "Tankoo" and "You Kelcom" often
-She loves dancing!
-She gives the biggest hugs and kisses
-She counts to 10 and knows (can recognize) almost all of her letters!(Between all the reading she does and how many times she insists we sing the ABC's...She is basically self-taught!)
-She knows how to make Alice giggle and laugh and then gives her baby sister loves.
-She is so pretty! (We get comments from strangers all the time about how beautiful she is. Yes. That's right. We make beautiful children. :)


We put together a fun little birthday celebration for Merrilee.  The morning of her birthday was basically our usual morning routine. When we put her down for her nap, then we decorated and set up her "Big" birthday present. Right before she woke up, the power went out! Our basement doesn't get much "natural" lighting (as you can see from the two tiny windows in the picture), so this is what Merrilee woke up to...except a darker version. (I love how Alice is sticking out of the tent in both pictures looking at the camera! haha!)

Since the power was out, we decided to go outside for a walk to the park until the power came back on. These days, Merrilee wants Alice to do a lot of activities with her. She insists that Alice swings next to her at the park every time now!

When we got back from the park the power was back on, so we baked a cake, wrapped presents and let the girls play together in the new crawl and seek fun center!

We invited my sister and her family downstairs for a little "party".  We had cake and ice cream, watched Merrilee open some presents, and had a fun dance party!

After our little party we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Brewer's house. Merrilee loves her great grandparents! Every time we go over there she gives Grandma and Grandpa big hugs and likes to play with them. It was so nice of G & G Brewer to get Merrilee a present! Thank you! 

Reading the card

Giving grandpa a big "thank you" hug

Reading with Grandpa

It was a fabulous day for everybody and we still can't believe we have a 2 year old! We love you Merrilee! :)