And judging my the amount of half-nakedness, I would say she had a great day!

Started off with popsicles for breakfast, half-dressed.

Then sweeping, half-dressed (her favorite “chore”).

The evening was filled with homemade lemon-blueberry cupcakes (sans pants, though you can’t tell here).

Kayla, my piping skillz are coming along nicely, wouldn’t you say? There are some gems there in the bottom left corner…Hardy har har. Maybe I need something better than a ziplock bag with the corner cut off…

Turns out, two year olds don’t care what the cupcakes look like. Only how they taste. Can you tell if she liked the buttercream frosting or not?

How about Mo?

Next came opening cards and presents, half-dressed, of course.

And the BIG gift: a bike!

“Where do you want to go, Lu?”

“Oh, the paaaarrrrk. I couldn’t tell… You should probably put some pants on…”

The push bike is just a tad too tall for her right now. But considering how much she’s eating lately, I’m sure she’ll grow into it shortly (pun…intended? maybe… Was that even a pun?).

So, she spent a lot of time helping Mo.

And being helped by Mo.

And even more time just running around with her helmet on.

Happy Birthday Lulu Bell,

There are so many things I want to remember about this time of your life. Here are a few:
–The way you speak. Just this morning you said “Hewoh Storey”: Hello Corey, and it made Cor light up in a way that only an adorable niece can.
-Your incredible spunk. “No” is also a favorite word of yours, but generally you say it with an impish grin and run to tackle-hug me before I even start to count to 3. “Saw saw Mama, saw saw”: Sorry Mom, sorry.
-Your tenderness. When Mo is in trouble, you run to the time out spot with her, saying “Saw saw Momo, saw saw!” trying to hug away her angry tears. You lay (usually) gently next to your Baby Brother, stroking his arm “Dom Dom…”
-Your concern. “Uh oh! Bubble, side! Bubble side! Bubble side!” Yes, love, we know Bubble escaped outside. “Yeah”
-The way you move. Clomp, clomp, clomp. I’ve heard it described several ways: intentional, baby-rugby-player, swagger… You move with a purpose, and often you lean slightly forward and let your shoulders lead the rest of your body. You might just end up with Auntie Jessie’s swimmer’s physique.
-The way you need me, and hold me accountable. “Mama, up. Up. UP!” as I’m distractedly perusing something worthless online. “Just a second love…” You take my hand or push my legs,”No! Mama, up! Up! Sit!” No mom, you say, pick me up now. Hold me. Sit with me and love me. I won’t be two for forever. I won’t need you to cuddle me forever. But right now I do. Right now I have my Abba (binki) and my blankie and there’s nothing else I want more in the whole world than for you to just cuddle me.

It’s hard to argue with that. And you know what?
I don’t really want to.

Love you Lulu, Today and Always
–Mommy