Taylor's 2nd Birthday!

Hi everyone!
It's back to delayed posts, I have so much to catch up on. For startes, Taylor's birthday which was over a month ago! Good thing my mothering skills aren't measured by how quickly I post updates, that wouldn't be good. ;)

First things first, the stats!

Weight: 27lb 13oz (60th percentile)
Length: 35" (77th percentile) Sidebar: I wonder when they start calling it "height"? Hm.
Head: 19.75" (99th percentile!) We are very conscious about the neck holes in shirts. :)

Taylor Jean turned two on August 16th and had quite the week of parties, presents, cake and lots of love. She is starting to understand what birthdays are all about now. I think she was claiming it was her birthday for at least 3 weeks. Al's was on Sept 22nd and I think that finally broke the cycle. Now she's all about, "It's MY daddy's birthday!". So precious.

To start us off on the birthday celebrating, "Yibby" and "Yincon" (Libby and Lincoln) were in town before her birthday and came by to give a fun present to her.

Hmmm, tissue paper and a box. I'm not really getting it.

Oh! I see! A fun bumble-bee ride! She was in love. Good thing for hard-wood floors.

On Sunday, August 16th, we had Taylor's birthday party. The weather was teasing us all day and we were really worried that it would rain. I didn't even want to think about it because we had close to 40 people show up for the day! Our house is not equipped for a party of that size indoors. Maybe someday when we redo the basement!

Anyway, by the time the party started at 4:00, the clouds had parted and the sun was shining. It was pretty windy, but we weren't going to complain. We got to have all the tots (all 8 of them) outside!

Taylor Jean first thing in the morning. She wanted milk, water AND juice that morning. Why not, it's her birthday!

Love those locks!

Party time!

Even as her friends start showing up, Taylor is obsessed with the baby. They were making each other giggle, it was so sweet.

We had to have three water tables with the amout of kids that came over. Thank goodness we were able to borrow a couple from Taylor's friends! Notice that they still crowd around one.

Some of Joni's family, Uncle Joe, Aunt Ann, and Uncle/Godfather Bryan

Some daycare parents and Joni:

Organized chaos:

Had to put in this picture so the Texas crew can see the Longhorns decked out for the party. ;)

Birthday Princess:

Birthday cake! Notice the sneaky little finger coming closer to the cake:

Time for some girl chat, the Three Musketeers (daycare buddies):

Who knew that they most exciting gift (for ALL the tots) was the mini-table and chairs from great aunt Joan and uncle Bryan???

These three had a riot sitting at the table and banging their hands. Too funny to hear their little giggles.

Post party bliss, another fun one, a new stroller and baby doll from Jon and Priya!

Later in the week, Taylor finally mustered up some energy to open more presents. This was the grandparent and parent round. She opened present from us, my parents, Al's parents and great-grandma, Mimi.

A Vet kit from Amma and Bumpa (Joni's parents)!

A Bevo book from Mimi!! Taylor loves to read books, but this was the FIRST book she ever insisted on reading more than one or two times A NIGHT. It was perfect timing too because we were headed to Austin in a couple weeks. She loves that Bevo now.

Cheesin' for the camera while we open Nana and Papa's gift:

Awww, a stuffed Hippo! Taylor giving some love:

I can't believe our baby girl is two! She is such a little adult and makes us laugh constantly. Such a little comedian. Everything from mimicking our expressions to running around the house in a silly way. She is also really into pretend play. She loves making meals with her play-food and dishes, has conversation with her stuffed animals and dolls (and answers for them), talks on the phone and tells us who it is (Nana/Aama/Mimi/Bumpa).

Some recent Taylorisms:

After I put her into her carseat after picking her up from daycare, she looked up at me and said, "How YOU doin'?" HAHA!

"Beep! Beep! Ya!" when she wants to listen to the Beatles, "Baby You Can Drive My Car"

"I scare me!" When one of us startles her.

"Oh my gosh!" To just about anything, but lately it's every time she sees our UT flag hanging on the garage, "Mommy, oh my gosh!"

"Settle down ba-bas! No-no Chewy!" She likes to take control of the situation when the dogs are playing or are in her space. She absolutely loves them though, lots of hugs and kisses and we can't leave the house in the morning without her saying bye-bye to them.

"Yay mommy/daddy!" When one of US goes potty.

"My do it." Very independent little lady.

And finally...when Al or I say, "You're such a big girl!" she replies, "No, I'm a big BOY!" ;)

Coming up, summer wrap-up of some micellaneous outtings, first UT game over Labor Day, and a visit from Suzanne, Keith and Nicholas!

Happy Fall everyone!