Our Little Bug Turned Two!

Today is Eliza's 2nd birthday. I have to say that so far, her second year of life has been my very favorite. She has learned so much. She says so much and her personality has really came out. We have absolutely loved watching her grow and change this past year. She is amazing.

I decided on what her 2nd birthday party theme would be when she was around 17 months. Her favorite book is 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle. She LOVES it, and she loves it still. She use to say "hungee" (hungry) on every page. Now she knows a lot of the words. 

For her birthday, we got her a Hungry Caterpillar play tent. She loves it and calls it her house. She has be best time taking her toys inside and getting mommy and/or daddy to join her.  

Inside the tent.

Random picture of the birthday girl with one of her dress up birthday presents on her head.

Her party was last Saturday. We had family and close friends over. My only regret is that our house is not bigger. I felt like everyone was cramped and I felt bad. But I hope they had fun, and I am so glad they all came. Eliza is one loved little girl.

The Caterpillar Cake

The Food

 One of Eliza's favorite friends from daycare came by to see her before the party started. Eliza was SO excited to see miss K. You can see the happiness on Eliza's face:

As our activity, we did a caterpillar hunt. My mom, sister, sister's boyfriend, and I made these out of egg cartons. It was really fun, and I think the kids had fun. They really liked the magnifying glasses used for locating the bugs.

Egg carton caterpillar.

Grandpa, cousins Sophie and Lotus, and friend J looking for caterpillars.

Eliza was too scared to get down. It was her party and she difinitly cried when she wanted to.

J enjoying his magnifying glass.

Eliza about to enjoy her cake (and almost burn her finger off. I said ALMOST so don't worry.)

Her 2nd attempt at blowing out the candle. I accidentally blew it out the first time.

Enjoying her cake.

So you are probably wondering why I didn't get pictures of Eliza opening any presents? Well, that is because she wouldn't open any of them! Oh the joys of a two year old. She wanted nothing to do with opening presents. I felt really awkward and didn't know if I should tell everyone she would open them later. I decided that people like to see their presents opened so I began opening in the hopes that she would become interested. Well, that did not work either. So her cousins helped me open presents. But she really did love all her presents....after everyone left. Maybe she does not like being the center of attention? I hope noone was offended. At least our dear friend Holly convinced her to sit close to me while I opened all of the gifts. Sigh......

We had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone that came to her party.

Eliza at two:
- Says things I didn't know she could say: "Mommy, I have a bruise." "The wind is blowing the curtain." "Don't be scared, it's just a piece of dirt." "My mouth hurts mommy." "I don't like it" "Wanna go downstairs and play?"
- She is very sweet. When I got home from work today and picked her up she gave me a kiss on each cheek, took my face in her hands, and looked at me so lovingly I thought I might burst.
- She is very sour. She has a temper. She likes to whine a lot when she is tired.
- She calls yogurt "mynant" for some reason. We ask her to say "yo." she says "yo." We ask her to say "gurt," she says "mynant." We don't get it.
- She calls milk "mook".
- She is officially completely weaned. Yes, she nursed up until last week. Only once a day. She still asks me for mommy mook but I am able to distract her with other things like bananas or mynant. But I think it was mostly a comfort thing for her. So we snuggle in the rocking chair before bed instead, and it is heavenly.
- She will not eat a lot of things, including most vegetables and all meat except for bacon. 
- She LOVES her little friends at school and talks about them daily.
- She loves the mall playground and going down the slide.
- Her favorite things are books, puzzles, and an occasional babydoll.
- We are so amazed at how smart, loving, sweet, and fun she is. We are excited to see what this next year will bring.

Happy 2nd birthday Little Bug.