Gloria's 2nd Birthday (Party #1)

"Welcome to my birthday party! I'm turning TWO!"
January 12, 2010

On Tuesday, January 12, we invited my mom's side of the family over for a birthday party. Gloria spent the day at Grammy's house so I could make barbecue, macaroni, and a birthday cake! I hung up some birthday banners and bought 3 birthday balloons. The first thing Gloria said when she walked in the door was "balloons!"

"Presents for me!"

Gloria could not wait to start opening her presents. First, though, we had to eat dinner with everyone before the festivities could begin. After getting a full belly and a clean diaper, she was ready to go!



The first present was the biggest. There was no way I could have wrapped it with paper, so I used a bed sheet! Gloria watched me and Rob carefully as we moved it down the hallway into the living room next to her. She was so excited when she pulled the sheet off. She started opening the doors and pretending to make food and coffee right away!


Some of the next presents were related to the kitchen, like a toaster and food from Grammy and Grandpa Chuck...

"I'm Gloria and I'll be your waitress today."

...and a teapot, tea cups, and cupcakes from Auntie April and Uncle Zach!

"Cooking dinner with my new pots, pans, and hot mitt from Grandma and Grandpa W.!"

Grammy and Grandpa Chuck also gave Gloria some neat stacking blocks that make a tower just about as tall as she is! There are numbers, letters, animals, and other pictures on them.

"I have to open the card to know who the present is from!"

Aunt Kathy gave Gloria (and me and Rob) a gift card to Bob Evans. Gloria loves eating there and we were already planning on taking her there for her birthday. We used it today and Gloria enjoyed her birthday grilled cheese, fruit bowl, and milk.

"Oh!"
(It was a Sesame Street movie.)

Some of Gloria's favorite people!
Even our friend Randall was able to join us for the party!

"Happy Birthday Dear Gloria"

Gloria practiced blowing out her candles on the way home from Grammy's house. Her and Daddy were doing super duper fast blowing to be prepared.

"Making a wish!"

Gloria is such a neat eater and eating her birthday cake and ice cream was no different. She needed me to cut her cake into pieces before she could eat it with her fork. She loved the cake and the ice cream and kept asking for more!

Dear Gloria

Dear Gloria,

You are two years old today!

You are such an amazing little girl, growing up so fast. Sometimes Daddy and I look at each other and shake our heads because we can't believe that you're only just two years old and doing some of the things you are.

You love to read more than anything else. You probably spend at least an hour a day looking through books by yourself or wanting us to read them to you. You like to point to the words for us to tell you what they say.

You love to twirl your hair with your left hand. We have to remind you to stop twirling because sometimes it makes knots.

You can say the alphabet pretty well, even though it's still jumbled in the middle. You love to sing the song with us or just say it by yourself many times a day.

You can count to thirteen, no problem, but sometimes you skip over eight.

You really like doing puzzles and even the ones that we think are going to be challenging are a breeze for you to complete.

You like to talk on the phone. You'll talk on any phone you can - my phone, Daddy's phone, a play phone, or the house phone. Sometimes you hold it against your ear with your arm straight up pressed against the phone so it doesn't fall down. You'll make up conversations if no one is on the line, or chat with someone who is.

You can sing lots of songs - "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "Itsy-Bitsy Spider", "Hey Diddle Diddle", and the Alphabet song. You really like it when we can sing together.

You're a backseat driver, telling me or Daddy whenever we're on a fast road or a slow road. You tell us red light, green light, stop sign, slow down, or faster!

You can carry on a conversation with no problem, answering questions, following directions, and sharing details.

You are a joy - a beautiful, wonderful miracle wrapped up in the cutest little girl ever.

Love, Mommy


So, here's to your second birthday Gloria! May you continue to fill the hearts around you with joy and put smiles on the faces of everyone you meet! We love you Gloria Grace!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY GLORIA!!!

Today is Gloria's SECOND birthday!!!

Rob took the day off from work and we spent all day together as a family. Gloria watched her new Sesame Street movie this morning and we played with her new kitchen. We went to the library and Gloria showed Daddy the trains, the puzzles, and the computer where she plays games. Then, we went to Bob Evans for her birthday lunch - a grilled cheese sandwich, fruit bowl, and a cup of milk. After a two-hour nap, Gloria and Daddy went outside to play in the snow for awhile. Grammy came over to visit for a little bit before dinner. After she went home, we had spaghetti and broccoli, and played more kitchen and blocks.

It was a great day!

She needs a toolbox

Soon after we moved in to the new house, I bought a bookcase for Gloria's room. That night, Gloria and I built it together.

"Helping Mommy!"

"It needs to be a little tighter."

"I can't wait for my new bookcase!"

Just give Gloria a screwdriver and look what happens!

New House!

We are finally moved into our new house. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Gloria spent the night at Grammy's house while Rob, Randall, and I packed up, loaded and unloaded. We did a quick job of initially trying to get things organized enough for Gloria to live here. The first two nights were difficult for Gloria sleep-wise. The first night she cried and when Rob went in to comfort her, she told him she was scared. The second night there was still a bit of crying, but by the third night she was fine.

She loves playing downstairs, which is pretty much the playroom. Most of her toys are down there, including her crayons and mini-kitchen. (I say mini, because she's getting a big one for her birthday!) She gets around the house just fine, and has since the first day. I think it helped that we've been coming here since June, so she knew the layout well.

Gloria has been a great help for us getting settled.

She helps in the kitchen, whether it's browning hamburger, helping Mommy make a pizza, or making cookies with Randall.

She helps us unpack and play with what we find!

She even helps us clean!