Happy 2nd Birthday Claire!

Dear Claire Kristine,

Today you turned 2 years old.
TWO.
Has it really been 2 years since you were born?

{Moments after you were born, all 9 lbs 6 oz of you}

2 years old means you aren't a baby anymore.
But, you will always be my baby. Always.
This has been a big year for you.
You have completely transformed from a baby to a toddler to a little girl.
Last year on your first birthday, you could barely walk.
You had only taken a few steps at a time.
You only said 3 words.
This year? Well, you still don't walk....you RUN.
Walking is too slow for you...you have places to go & things to see!
You are talking up a storm.
You refuse to wear your diaper. You like to take it off & would rather run around naked than wear clothes!
Your first year of life was a piece of cake.
Having 2 kids 19 months apart was easy the first year.
The second year? Now THAT has been exhausting & much harder.
As soon as you turned one, you changed from a happy, smiley mellow baby to a toddler who was ON.THE.GO. You never stop!
(My mom says that watching you is like watching a version of me when I was a toddler. Sorry Mom!)
Right after your first birthday, you developed an opinion, and wow, do you have an opinion!
And, you started having a little temper. You can throw a temper tantrum like the best of them.
You are a very stubborn little girl who knows what she wants, when she wants it.
I pray you use this quality for good in your life!
You adore your big sister. Every morning and every time you wake up from your nap, you ask, "Where's Date?" (we are still working on you say the "K" sound)
You want to do everything your sister does.
If Kate is drinking out of a big girl cup, you want a to drink out of a big girl cup. (and, you are surprisingly good at it)
If Kate goes potty, you want to sit on the potty.
Almost every night, you try and convince us to let you sleep in her bed. (Not going to happen!)
You want to wear her clothes & her shoes. You idolize her. It is adorable.
I love how you guys love each other.
You are becoming more and more a Daddy's girl.
Your whole first year you were a Mommy's girl. You wanted nothing to do with Daddy.
But after I stopped nursing you after your 1st birthday, you took quite the liking to Daddy. And, he is pretty smitten with you also. Not to mention, you look exactly like him. You got your big brown eyes & long eyelashes from him. Lucky girl!
Claire, your name means "Bright" and that you are.
You are a joy to those around you. You have a twinkle in your eye that exudes happiness.
You have a zeal for life & spark for life and you are only 2 years old.
There is a fire in your eyes & you aren't going to let anyone hold you back!

You like to climb...everything. Kitchen counters, the table, the bathroom vanity.
I can't keep my eyes of you for fear of what you are going to get into!
You won't sit still for more than a few minutes. It is amazing how different you & your sister are.
I understand how you have to parent each child differently based on their personality.
I have a feeling you are going to give us a run for our money as a teenager! I am already praying about that!
You have the greatest smile.
Everytime you give me one of your big grins, my heart melts a little bit.
You love to dress up in princess dresses, wear beads & my jewelry, and wear high heels.
You have pizazz!
At two years old, you love Elmo and Mickey Mouse.
Your favorite food is pizza, candy & dessert. (Just like your mommy!)
I can't have any diet coke around you because you always try and steal sips and exclaiming,
"mmmmm......yummy!" after each sip.

You are quite the entertainer and you have a sense of humor.
I never thought a 2 year old could have a sense of humor, but you do.
You like doing silly things to make all of us laugh. And laugh, we do!

We had a fun family dinner tonight with all your celebrating your special day.
Grandma got you a new bike, you were SO excited!
And we got you a shiny new helmet!

Watch out, The Bear is on a bike!

You look way too old in this picture!
You loved all the attention tonight.
You loved everyone signing to you!
Make a wish sweet girl...May all your dreams come true!
Happy 2nd Birthday Claire!
(aka: Claire Bear, Crazy Claire, CC, The Bear)
It was fun celebrating YOU today!
I love you more than you will ever know.
You were the best surprise I could have ever asked for.
Our family wouldn't be the same with out you!

Love, Mommy