The Princess Turns Two

Last Monday was delightful. Most birthday celebrations are fun -- you know, full of cake and laughter. Isabella’s second birthday was all that for us, plus it really was above-and-beyond special to me aside from the ritual stuff that normally makes birthdays happy. All day, amidst the singing and the cuddles, the playing, the princess parading, and the caking, I thought about my little sweet one. I remembered our moments throughout her precious life; from the panic-stricken first moment that I found out I was pregnant with her, to the first moment I knew how much, how painfully much I already loved her at 20 weeks gestation when I found out about her missing limb (and how I already loved her short arm more than I thought I could ever love someone’s arm). I thought of her first moments in the world as a crying whitish purplish blonde baby and how she reminded me of a marshmallow, beautiful short arm flailing in the air as if waving me an enthusiastic hello. And how she nursed like she knew I was her Mommy from the first minute (an altogether new experience for me in motherhood). I adored that baby more than I ever wished I would. I adore her still exponentially more every day.

I feel that every stage in Isabella’s life has been my favorite; and every day -- even on the worst of days -- with her, I feel blessed to be her Mommy. She brings so much joy – so much life into our world. I love her glee, her charm, her sassiness, her sense of humor, her compassion, her determination, her affectionate nature, her confidence, her energy, her spirited temper, her sweet sensitivity, her happy-go-lucky attitude, her intelligence, her zest for life, her… love. I can’t even help it.

We have a tradition for the girls in this house that we like to call the Princess Parade. On the birthday of each of my daughters, we dress up in tutus, crowns, and of course, bling. All this to feel not only gorgeous and super duper out-of-the-ordinary, but also to let all those who gaze upon the little pixie know that today is their day of all days! Yeah, we do birthdays right up in here. Shout it from the rooftops style.

“I’m a one-eyed baby spider” – Gabe (on Sid’s doll-headed spider toy from Toy Story)

Bunny is one of Bella’s three lovies. The other two are Blanket (a pink satin blanket) and Bear (a pink bear/rattle holding a mini pink satin blanket).

All of my girls are Daddy’s Girls. I am so grateful that they have such a wonderful Daddy who makes them feel like princesses every day.

This is, of course, is what I get for trying to swipe Bells from her beloved Daddy’s arms for a quick picture.

Appeased by a cheese stick. :)

Our much-loved nanny/respite provider, Shanna, was a little camera shy.

Cupcake = Happiness!

Happy Birthday my little Bells. You make my heart skip and melt every day. I love you.

The End of Summer

As much as I am dying for some cooler temperatures, I still can’t believe that October here.  And, even in Arizona, that means the end of summer.  We celebrated the end just like we did the beginning, and oh, about five or six other Saturdays in between… by going to Mesquite Groves.  While Mesquite Groves is no sandy beach, and come to think of it, it’s doesn’t have much in the way of a grove of Mesquite trees either, it is our little local play paradise and we have joyous moments and make wonderful memories every time. 

Ari gets to float around all on her own, in her little life jacket, which of course is swimming in her view.  Sun in her eyes, water splashing on her face, and all that goes with that, you still have never seen a happier girlie in the pool.

 

Gabe starts splashing wars and blow bubble contests, and wants to get doused by the bucket full of water, you know, like a million times.

Meantime, Tinkerbella does her best to stay dry despite everyone’s cajoling.  She finds other ways to get into mischief that don’t necessarily involve water.

That’s not my hand/locker key Bella is trying to hijack. :)