O.N.E.

Remember?

First days... & Birth story...

We love you, dear child. Happy Birthday.

Three.

Where did the last three years go?
But simultaneously, what was our life before Mary Elizabeth?

Here are some shots from Week One.

(I spy Owen. Remember that crazy mother f+*&%?)

My first day alone with you. Dad went to Ann Arbor to get his hair(s) cut and pick up the stroller. We tested  out life as we know it now (sans Lu).

 (Pre-"z")

Lots of sleeping in Week One. Not so much in the following three years.

If only I'd known...

Memory Lane:
http://enlargingmarge.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-birthday-miss-maisey.html

Happy Birthday to Marge...

Yesterday I celebrated my 35th birthday. Thirty Five. Kinda old.

Lucy's gift was one of sleep. She zzzz-ed out from 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. two nights in a row?! Will contributed an extra hour by entertaining her from 10-11. That's two eight-hour nights for me. A-freaking-mazing. And especially valuable as I fight this darn cold.

Maizey's gift was a wonderful rendition of The Waiting Song, and a beautifully sung Happy Birthday.

(We lit and blew out this candle 3 times.)

When Will arrived home, he and Maizey presented me with a be-candled german chocolate cake, and along with a skyped-in B&B, another rousing round of "Happy Birthday!"

I am one lucky lady.

Terrific Two - Sneak Peek

Not sure if you heard, but a previously-planned Colorado sister-visit prevented Grandma Betty attending Maizey's birthday festivities. And, because I imagine she's regularly refreshing Aunt Bonnie's browser, hoping for a glimpse of the fun, I wanted to get some preview pics posted. Here you go, G-Ma B.

More to come...

And, THANK YOU to all who attended. Despite the wacky weather, we had a spectacular time. Maizey executed a near perfect "Happy Birthday to Maizey" self-serenade Sunday night and was yapping about her party all day.

T W O

On July 28, 2011, at 3:05 p.m., Maizey blazed into this world. While on one hand it seems a lifetime ago, on the other, I can't believe how swiftly time passed. She is, at two, truly coming into her own. Following pal Karyn's lead, we gave her a little 2-year quiz, to be repeated annually. Here are the results.

1. Where do you live? Milford    
2. Where do you go to school? Daddys work   
3. Name the members of your family. Devon, Miss Allison, Mommy, Natalie, Daddy, Tip  
4. What is your favorite color? Blue    
5. What is your favorite toy? Ummmmmm...babydoll   
6. What is your favorite fruit? Blueberries 
7. What is your favorite vegetable? Raspberries    
8. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Mini-Wheats    
9. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Turtles     
10. What do you want for your birthday dinner?  Paul
11. What is your favorite drink? Toshie milk    
12. What is your favorite animal? Elephants   
13. What is your favorite book?  Turtles. (Mom: "That's not a book. What does grandma read you?") No, David  
14. What is your favorite song?  Please and Thank You   
15. What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? Play puzzles (we rarely play puzzles)
16. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?  Play turtles (the turtle obsession began in Florida and hasn't abated)
17. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Get wet (she hates the sprinkler)
18. What is your favorite thing to do inside?  I went through the cave at golfing 
19. Who is your best friend?  Daddy (ouch)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Firefighter (chosen from a list of options which included a mama, doctor, teacher, dancer and painter)

At two years old, Maizey is a joy. Days feel shorter and outings are not only easier - they're fun. She talks non-stop, which by 7 p.m. is often exhausting, but worth it after a day filled with laughter.



She loves swimming, raspberries, blueberries, popsithicles, mini-wheats, books, mom, dad and kip. Her penchant for french fries and cheese is still going strong. She just started watching television and enjoys Sesame Street, old Disney cartoons (Chip and Dale, Donald Duck, and Goofy), and Dora. She is a little bed bug and spends hours in it, crooning away, carrying on conversations with herself and reading books. Naptime or bedtime tears are rare. She isn't in undies yet, but often requests to use the "potty." And, as you see, has uncovered a fancy for tutus.

Today, we'll celebrate Mary Elizabeth Spurgeon. I will marvel at her, and my capacity to love. I will thank Will for his life-giving tendencies and dedication to his family. I will consider the good fortune we've experienced. We have health. Loving relatives. Security. And each other. 

Happy Birthday, Maizey, and thank you for making my life so different. And more fulfilling.