My Baby is TWO!

Time truly flies once you have kids, y'all. I mean, it went fast before too. But it's true that each day and each season can feel long, but the years go by so fast! And they grow and change and learn so fast too. It gives me all the feels to think of how our lives have changed since the presence of this baby girl. 

PS - if you love a good birth story, here is Ainsley's!

It's the hardest thing but also the best thing. 

Our new marriage journal walks through joys of the week and hard things of the week - and sometimes, babies and toddlers can squeeze into both categories! HA! Teaching someone how to be a good human is HARD Y'ALL. But also so sweet. Gah, what a crazy ride!

Clearly, Ainsley HATED her birthday cupcake. She is so funny! 

Haven't we all felt this way about a good cupcake? 

Get it, girrrrl! 

She was sick leading up to her birthday, but the day of her party, she magically was in great spirits and had the best day. (Her sickness came back two days later - oyyy so I was thankful her celebration day was a respite from it!). 

She was losing patience for pictures ;) but liked her minnie mouse theme. She loved minnie! 

Such a big girl having fun opening presents this year! Last year was such a different story - haha! 

The morning of her birthday party, she was also dedicated at church. 

She loved being in the sanctuary for singing worship songs (she's usually in the toddler room for that!). 

It was really special to have friends & family surround us there and afar as we raise this girl. 

The name Ainsley means meadow, which has always been a special meaning for me and was part of how we chose her name. 

The pastor used Psalm 23: 2-3 as he prayed over her:

"He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most." 

That verse has aways been dear to me too (especially in season of life I'm especially overwhelmed!), so it was really powerful to see that's the verse he used in her dedication. 

SUCH a fun day celebrating that sweet girl. 

Now for a few faves lately so I can remember as she gets older:)

- She will reach out her hand, saying "hold hands, mommy!" when she wants to show me something or needs help. It's my favorite. 

-When she's sad and tantrumming (#toddlerlife, right?! My computer says that's not a word but I DISAGREE, lol), she will yell, " HOLD YOUUUUU", for me to pick her up and hold her. Melts my heart every time. 

- She has gone pee and poop on the potty quite a few times now! Not consistently yet, but making progress for sure. 

- We pray at every meal and she loves that routine. Sometimes randomly during the day, she'll clasp her hands together, look up at me and say, "Pray." which is a sweet reminder. 

- She says "yellow" for "another". For the longest time, I thought she was wanting a YELLOW pouch at the end of her meals which was really confusing since we don't have one. I recently realized that's how she is pronouncing ANOTHER. So funny and cute. 

-She's all about doing things on her own. "I do it!" - throwing things in the trash, trying to get on her shoes, shorts, etc. 

- I was making our lunches yesterday and she was in her room in her new princess tent. She stormed into the kitchen and yelled, "MOMMY, GET IN HERE!" - her way of inviting me into her tent. 

- When Nick brings her home from daycare, I can hear her walk into the house and say, "I go find mommy". And it's the sweetest that she's at an age to be excited to come see me after her day!

What a fun yet crazy age, y'all. 

Also, HAPPY OCTOBER! 

Fall-- Texas is ready for you! 

-Marissa