Today is my baby girls 2nd birthday! We started the day with our birthday tradition of everyone going in to her room and singing Happy Birthday to her before she even got out of bed. Of course she LOVED all the attention! I think the boys were as excited as she was for her to open her presents because as soon as we finished singing they were both saying, "come on Gracie, want to go open your presents!" They wanted to "help" her so badly and they really had to work on self control as she slowly got the wrapping paper off of her gifts. I think her favorite gift (and mine) was the baby doll we got her that cried and coos and takes a bottle and pacifier and will fall asleep and snore!! So cute!! Perfect for a new big sister who loves her baby Benjamin! We also got her a stroller for her babies to which she quickly put baby in, grabbed her purse and was off. Her special birthday breakfast was banana nut muffins - one of her fave's. For lunch we did our birthday tradition of lunch with daddy at a favorite place - so far Gracie loves Chick fil A the most ;) so that's where we went for chicken, ice cream, and play time!!!
This last year she seems to have grown up sooo much!! She is talking like crazy (repeating EVERYTHING she hears) and we are in full swing "terrific 2's" ha! She is big fun and always wants to go faster, higher, etc. She also has a dramatic flare and when she gets mad she's big mad too! I've got to go back to my mom's notes and think about better ways to discipline her because we're in whole new territory here. She is definitely different than my boys. She has definitely added some pink to our world and we can't imagine life without her! Here are some pics of our day so far:
Loving her new baby!
Being a good mommy and giving her a pacifier
Taking baby for a stroll!
Getting a little work done :) We got her a leapfrog ABC computer and an Elmo phone. Both of them say her name and the computer sends her emails from mommy and daddy! She was so excited to hear her name when Elmo was calling!
Birthday lunch!!
Wow, what a difference a year makes! This time last year she wasn't even walking and I still couldn't keep a bow in her hair!
1st Birthday!
December 2010
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
Dear Gracie -
On this day two years ago I got the best surprise of my life when I heard your daddy say "It's a girl!" I couldn't believe we were going to get to have pink and bows and baby dolls at our house! You were just what our family of boys needed. Over the last year you have definitely come in to your own around here and are doing a great job at keeping us all on our toes! Although you didn't start walking until you were 15 months you have made up for the late start. You are right behind your brothers wherever they go and you are doing whatever they do. In the last year you've gone from being called sisser and Gracie Belle to just Gracie most of the time and you are calling the boys "bubba" less and less and starting to call them by their names. You love to sing just like all the Allens and I love to hear you sweet little voice in the seat behind me singing along in car. You have the most beautiful smile and laugh that is so contagious! It has been so sweet to watch your relationships with James and John-Mark develop over this last year and I am so thankful that you have two such wonderful big brothers to "show you the ropes". You also became a big sister this year and I can see you are going to be great at helping take care of Benjamin. It's so amazing to see that little mommy come out in you.
Gracie you are more than we could have ever asked or imagined! We are so thankful the Lord blessed us with you and pray daily that we will have the wisdom to supply you with all you need to become a passionate follower of Jesus and fulfill all the plans He has for you!
Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl!!
Happy boy! Love him giving a big grinner to his mom-mom!
This is how we do meals :)
A couple of weeks ago we had a little family party for Gracie's birthday party - here is here Santa beard cupcake face :)
These boys love thier Gracie!
Gracie loved all of her gifts but she really loved all of her birthday cards. She wanted us to read them to her over and over.
Ready for the party!
One of the boys best friends, Zach shares a birthday with Gracie. He had a football party again this year! So much fun! My 3 were ready for some cake after a great game :)
Taking a break on the side lines
Our little cheerleader
Singing the National Anthem
This is one of the cutest party ideas. The boys get to run from the "tunnel" and break through a banner and run on to the field. Then they all sing the national anthem and play a game. They all LOVE it!
