Happy Birthday Miriam

Miriam is now 2 years old!

Friday afternoon the UPS man made Miriam the happiest girl in the world when he delivered her gift from Grandma and Grandpa Fife a day early. She seemed so surprised to get a package in the mail. Miriam and Luke loved pretending to make a birthday cake and throwing a pretend party. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Serving up the food very carefully...

I am the best chef!

Sharing the kitchen space with Luke

Almost ready for the party...

Blowing out the candle...

On Saturday morning, Miriam opened her gifts from us. She loves shoes!

Luke was a great helper! Helping open presents is a job that he doesn't mind assisting in.

This gift is probably just wishful thinking at least for a few more months. I am hoping to start potty training soon. Wish us luck!

I think that we have started a new tradition for our children's birthdays. Each time we are in the grocery store they beg to have one of the large balloons. I always say "no." However as a way to make her birthday even more special this year, I took her to Publix and let her choose a balloon. Tinkerbell won Miriam's heart. Now Luke knows for his birthday that he can pick one out too. Hopefully this will curb some of the whining for balloons.

When I was a little girl, my mom made a cake for me with a doll inside. I loved that cake and wanted to do something similar for Miriam. This is the finished product of her princess cake.

We had a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

Miriam was too occupied with wanting the Barbie to eat the cake. Morgan re-attached the legs and Miriam has been carrying the Barbie around ever since.

Luke loved the cake so much that he wanted to get as much of the frosting off the plate as possible.

A very satisfied Luke.

Here's a clip of us singing to Miriam. She even sang along. Pretty cute stuff.

Things that I LOVE about Miriam:

1. She has spunk.
2. She is brave and will try just about anything.
3. She has a sweet little voice.
4. She likes to sing and dance and draw.
5. She loves to say prayers.
6. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, she likes me to hold her on the couch. Then after 20 minutes she wants to go back into her bed for the rest of the night. I actually don't mind these moments because she lets me just hold her close. She likes to have her own space when sleeping but loves to snuggle until she is ready for sleep.
7. She has always called me "Mommy." For the longest time, Luke used to call both of us "Daddy." I like that she always knew my name.
8. She was an easy newborn. She slept well at night and was a peaceful baby during the day. It really helped me when I was still working as an apartment manager and trying to get things ready to move to the Caribbean.
9. She is very feminine. She loves to dress-up and look nice. She likes to put chap stick on the same way I put lipstick on. She imitates my make-up ritual in the morning.
10. She plays well alone. She creates little scenarios for her princesses and dolls. She is very imaginative.

Miriam we love you very much and are so blessed to have you in our family. We can't wait to see how you grow this upcoming year!