birthday fun

Joseph had a great second birthday. If you understand the significance of that statement, you know how incredibly happy we were. {Afterall, there haven't been a whole lot of happy days - especially happy days back to back - with this child. Between his GI issues and recent sickness, he's not been feeling too good. And when you don't feel good, well, you're not happy.} But the last week and a half might be the best we've ever had. We are so very grateful and praise God for it. We are also praying it continues.

Maybe this is that switch or hurdle - you know the one that seems to happen between 12 and 18 months when the baby is just more independent, more fun...and things just seem a little easier all of a sudden? Maybe we just had to wait 24 months with Joseph... I don't know. Maybe it's that he's feeling better. Maybe it's just that he's older and more capable. Maybe it's that he's talking now and can articulate what he wants. Maybe it's a combination of things. Maybe the time is fleeting and I shouldn't get my hopes up! Maybe I shouldn't think about it too much and enjoy it!!


So, on Thursday, April 18th, we celebrated Joseph's big day bringing cupcakes to his preschool class:

We took Hannah away from her class long enough to celebrate with us, but she wasn't too cooperative with pictures. She did flash us a couple twos.

We went out to Fox's Pizza for lunch, Joseph's favorite. Then, after nap, he had a good time playing with his water table from Meme.

And when it came time for more presents, he had to make sure that every single scrap of wrapping paper was taken off the boxes.

 
Playing with balloons from Uncle Ben and Aunt Katie:

When Daddy got home from work, we showed Joseph his new teepee!

He was all about going in and out. In....and out. He'd go in, close the flaps, then bust out like a horse out of the gate. It went pretty much how we expected it to go.

 Thursday night we sang and had more cupcakes. The kid loves cupcakes. And candles.

Making a wish or concentrating on blowing out candles?

He ate some and then we lit the candles again.

The MJ outfit is from Uncle Will Will and Aunt Crystal. Friday, and the rest of the weekend, we played some more. Everyone likes the set of sports balls from Auntie Jen, Uncle Daniel, Leah and Audrey:

The bath toys from Ms. Brannen, Mr. Mitch, and Pierce:

And the bubble blower/flashlight from Meme:

Can you hear Joseph saying, "Buh-bul! Buh-buuuul!!!"?

Want to experience it? Here's video:

Happy birthday buddy, and happy third year of life!