Our Story is two!

Happy 2nd birthday, our sweet Story! 

I can hardly believe that two whole years have passed since the Lord brought you into our lives, into our hearts, into our family.  

This is the very first time I laid eyes on your sweet face.  I remember how calmly you looked at me, oh words cannot describe the overwhelming sense of love I have in my heart for you, your siblings, and your daddy.  I've taken a few liberties in walking down memory lane as I post your birthday blog.  It was so much fun for me to go back and look at pictures of our family over the last two years.  

Here you are on your birthday, looking so alert and sweet.  

Your brother and sisters came to see you the day after you were born.  Can you tell how much they loved you at first sight?  They love you even more today.  I love watching the four of you together.  

This was on Father's Day, your baby dedication day.  It was so special for your daddy to be the one to dedicate you to the Lord on the day we celebrate our fathers.  All of the other children had their baby dedications on Mother's Day, so we thought it was pretty special yours was on Father's Day.  

Our party of six, last summer on the beach.  This was your first time.  I'm not going to say that you loved it, but I'm sure hoping that it will grow on you.  

Story, your daddy is smitten with you.  Smitten.  I mean like over the moon smitten.  You like him pretty good, too!  You love to curl up on his lap and put your head on his shoulder.  

This was our family last Easter.  You have grown so much since then.  Let's talk about what you are up to at two years of age.  

• You are a good little eater.  You love doughnuts, blueberries, grapes, cheetos, strawberries, bananas, pbj, chicken nuggets, spaghetti, green beans, turkey, cheese, salad, cereal, cookies, waffles, and milk.  
• Last month, we transitioned you from whole milk to 2%, and you made the switch just fine.  You love milk!  You can tell when I hand you a sippee cup whether it is milk or water, and you hand it back to me if it is water!  
• You remind us to pray before we eat, and you like to say AMEN! at the end of the blessing.  

• During this year, we moved our family from Georgia to Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  The transition did not seem to phase you at all.  We are so thankful.  This picture was taken during our first week here.  I feel like you've grown so much since then.  

• You are such a great sleeper.  You sleep from 730 pm to 730 am, depending on when the big 3 wake you up.  While we were at Mama's last week, you slept until 930 most days!  I think if you had your own room, you would sleep longer.  Some nights we put you to bed earlier depending on your temperament.  You let us know when you are ready for bed.  
• You were still taking two naps a day up until a few months ago, and I believe if we were home in the mornings you would still take one.  Most mornings you fall asleep in the car while we are running errands before car pool starts.  
• You take a long afternoon nap.  
• At night when I tuck you in, you always say "up" so I will cover you up.  Pink blanket from Mama first, followed by green blanket with your name, and finally lovey on top.  Then you say, "hug" and you reach your little arms up for me to hug you.  I love love love when you wrap your little arms tightly around my neck and give me a big squeeze!  One of my other favorite things you do is give full on the mouth sugar!  Nothing sweeter!  

• You have such a fun personality, and you talk so well.  Last week on our visit to south GA everywhere we went people commented on how clearly you articulate your words.  It seems to us that you are talking better sooner than your siblings.  I think we have them to thank for that!  
• You talk in complete sentences and ask questions.  You say "bless you" when people sneeze; it's so cute!  
• You repeat most words that we say in a way that we can understand.  
• You can be a little bashful around people who are new, and it sometimes takes you a while to warm up.  
• Some funny things you say are "No, ma'am!", "Tilly did it!", "Hundley in his kennel",  "Whoa, Pete!", "Okay, Mommy, okay?" and "I buckle the top."  When I put you in your car seat or your booster chair, you insist on buckling yourself in and you do it very well!  

• You love to help me in the kitchen.  You get your stool and pull it up to the counter.  I think your ears have learned the sound of the mixer because you always come running asking for the beaters when I am done.  You always take one for you, and then you ask for one for Tilly.  
• Pink is your favorite color.  You think everything is pink!  

• Lovey is a big part of our life.  We rarely go anywhere without it.  While it is the only thing we carry around with us, your bed is full of things you cuddle with at night.  You also sleep with a pink blanket Mama gave you when you were born, an elephant, Snow White, and a green blanket with your name on it.  This past week we added a pillow made by your great, great-aunt Grace.  She gave it to you last week while we were in Georgia.  

• You absolutely adore your brother and sisters, and they could just eat you up.  It's funny because you make sure they all feel special at different times.  When you are playing outside, you want to be with Summer.  Tilly is your bedroom buddy since y'all share a room.  Carter is your TV buddy.  You like to sit with him in the rocking chair and watch TV.  
• While you don't pay attention to the television for very long, some of your favorite shows are Curious George, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (aka O Toodles), and Strawberry Shortcake, aka Cake.  

We took these pictures on the same day our church directory pictures were made.  I'm so thankful we did because we did not get a single picture of our family on Easter Sunday.  

• This is my new favorite face that you make.  Oh, you can be so sassy and funny!  You told me the other day, "I so funny, Mommy!"  Yes, you are!
• You love shoes.  Love them.  Summer's shoes.  Tilly's shoes.  My shoes.  You can put your crocs and sandals on the right feet by yourself.  You never keep a pair on for long though, as you are always finding the next best thing.  
• You know all of your major body parts, and you point to them when we ask you.  

• You are wearing a size 4 diaper, size 7 shoe, 2T in most clothes, 3T dresses seem to fit better because you are tall.  Your well check up will be sometime next week, so we will find out all of your stats then.  
• You have been on antibiotics once in your whole life for an ear infection just after we moved to Hattiesburg.  
• You have all of your little teeth and all of your two year molars.  
• We have not cut your hair yet, but we hope to get an appointment with Miss Bridget in a few weeks.  

• You love to play dress up with your sisters.  You also love to push your baby doll or anything really around the house in your stroller, or buggy as you call it.  You love to build towers and knock them down.  You love to play with trucks and balls, too.  
• You love books.  Your favorite is "Night, Night Moon" as you call it.  You repeat the phrases on each page as we read to you.  

• You love to play outside.  When we were at Mama's last week, you had so much fun swinging on her porch, watering the flowers, and playing in the yard.  
• You continue to have a love/hate relationship with our dog, Hundley.  You love to watch him and talk to him, but you hate when he comes anywhere near you.  
• One of your favorite things to do is sit in the chair by the window in my bedroom and look out at Hundley.  

• Two days a week, you attend Mother's Day Out at our church.  Miss Jennifer is your teacher, and you love her and your friends.  
• Your Sunday School teachers are Miss Julie and Miss Bridget.  Oh, how you love them!  
• Other days when we don't have anywhere to be, you go with me to the gym and play in the nursery there.  You love it, and I'm so thankful!  

• You love to sing.  Sometimes, we will be riding in the car, and you will just start belting some tunes.  Most of the time, I have no idea what you are singing.  Some songs you do love are "Baby Bumblebee" "Clean Up Song" "Birthday Song" and "The Little Green Frog."  

• You are a great traveler.  Last week, I took you on a trip to see Mama, and I was so proud of how well you did.  On the way there, we only stopped one time.  You have been to several states in your little life:  Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana, and Arkansas.  We plan to visit some new states this summer when we go on our family mission trip.  

Happy birthday, sweet Story!  You have brought so much joy and laughter into our home.  I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow and learn over the last two years, and I cannot wait to continue this journey with you.  I'm so very thankful for your little life and your good health.  There are few things I love more in life than being momma to you, Carter, Summer, and Tilly.  I'm so thankful that on this day two years ago, you made us O'Dell, party of six.  We love you, sweet girl!