Turning 2 is Fun

Birthday Weekend started off with a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party!  

Aunt Lindsey and Baby Jordan came to town to help celebrate:

Barrett LOVES Mickey, and he was so excited about all the decorations around the house:

"It's The Micky Mouse Clubhouse. Come Inside; It's Fun Inside"

Mickey Cups

Presents!

Hot Diggity Dog Treats

Just a Few Snacks

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Character Cupcakes

Thank You Kara Clayton for making such cute and yummy treats for us!

He was a little unsure what to think about all these people in his house:

Why Are All These People Here?

But he warmed up eventually!

Even Baby Jordan dressed up for the party!

Present Time:

AAAAANNND Cupcake time!

Watching Everybody Sing Happy Birthday 

(Hannah and Moses helped us out too!)

Sweet Cupcake Face

I Love This Picture

 Family Celebrating Little Man Turning 2

Nana and Gamma Love This Little Guy!

"We Did It!"

(one of Barrett's favorite phrases)

We've been talking about turning his crib into a "big boy" bed for a couple weeks now.  I took the bumpers out of his crib and he thought THAT was his big boy bed.  Maybe we should have stopped there ... Day 1 of the Big Boy Bed Experience consisted of Mommy laying on the floor next to him and finding him in the middle of the floor in the middle of the night.  It's a work in progress :)  We also found him playing with some of his new toys in his new bed.  So I think he likes it ... we just all have to get used to it!

 Big Boy Bed

On his actual birthday we started the dreary, cozy day with a special donut breakfast.  Today was different since Daddy didn't have to work, so we spent the morning exploring all of the new toys and presents we got!  Just a sweet family day celebrating our son. 

We love you little one.  During the past 2 years you have made our hearts grow in ways we never could have imagined.  We love watching you learn new things and grow, even though we wish we could keep you little forever.  You are definitely a precious gift that God has entrusted us with, and we can't imagine life without being your Mommy and Daddy.  Hope you have had a great birthday Little One.

Love, 

Mommy and Daddy

Almost 2!

I love how expressive Barrett is these days.  Yeah, it also means more tantrums and letting me know when he's frustrated. But it also brings lots of giggles and I love yous.  Yesterday he decided to give me a big hug out of the blue, turned his head toward my ear, and whispered "You best friend Mommy."  I would have sat on the floor hugging him forever if it meant I could freeze that moment in time!  

Every night when I leave his room while he's going to bed, the last words I hear as I walk out of the room are "I love you Mommy."  And every night I want to turn around and pick him back up and squish him with hugs. 

He talks a lot about the babies in mommys tummy. He loves to give the girls hugs and kisses. We keep talking about them and how he's going to be a big brother soon .... And I think he's going to be a great one!  And no doubt he'll love having a couple of permanent playmates.  

We also spend our day listening to Barrett narrate his activities:

"Oh! Oh!  Imma gonna get it!"

"Sit on knees" (at kitchen table)

"Up with Mommy/Daddy"

"Play go-gos"

"Help Mommy make-a dinner"

"NEEEEEWW DIAPER, Milk, Cheerios" (every morning when he wakes up)

"Hey Mommy/Daddy how doin?"

"How's going Mommy/Daddy?"

"Throw a ball!"

"Car is zooming!"

"Mommy/Daddy DRIVING!!!"

"Barrett clean it"

"Butter sandwich!" (Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich) 

But my most absolute favorite part of this stage is how he sings along to almost every song he hears on the radio (in addition to the age appropriate songs he songs around the house).  It makes me laugh every time:

After a quick visit from Gamma and Poppy ...

We spent the weekend in Dallas as a family of three to get one last adventure in before the twins are born AND to celebrate Barrett turning 2.

First stop was the Dallas World Aquarium:

And after a confusing ride from the hotel

on the DART, we took Barrett to his very first Stars game.  He really loved watching hockey WITH Daddy this time (instead of watching Daddy play). 

This was my view during the game:

  

The next morning we played a little piano, ate a late breakfast at a coffee shop, and headed to the Dallas Arboretum to visit the pumpkin patch:

We made it home on Sunday afternoon just in time for a much needed family nap time! 

Just a few more cute pictures from the last couple weeks I don't want to leave out. 

Showing Off His Independence

Usual Backseat Attire

Next Blog:  The Big Birthday Party!