Gracie-Goo

Our baby is two today. Words cannot describe how precious this girl is to us. Sometimes 'Googly-bear,' sometimes 'Gracie-goober', always 'Muffin.'

We had such a great day! I'll let the pictures tell most of the story.

Breakfast Donuts...TRADITION!!

First Present. This is from Noelle who couldn't wait to get the festivities started!

Next was Jumpin' Jack's Playground. We lasted all of 10 minutes. Gracie was forced onto these inflatables long enough for me to get picture before she ran for her life off of them. Shaylor literally crawled up me as I approached the 'baby' one with him. Ashlyn and Noelle had about 10 minutes worth of fun and then were over it. I got my money back and I gave the "It's not you, it's us" speech to the dumbfounded employee who said, "I've never had to give a refund before."

The only ride Shaylor would get close to:

Next it was naptime; during which I made Gracie's rainbow cake. It's a beaut...no? Very festive. Under the blue goo is "Too Much Chocolate Cake" which is a favorite that lives up to it's name. (Check my recipe blog soon for the recipe.)

Gracie woke up and approved of the magical creation she found.

Then, it was time for her party at the park. She loves the slide and could go down it endlessly. Monkey See...Monkey DoWe played football, futebal, played on the playground, and relaxed in the fresh air.

Amidst the endless rain of the past month, Heavenly Father saw fit to shower His sweet Gracie with sunshine, blue skies, and a cool breeze for her special day.

Happy Birthday, indeed!

(Thanks for the fun presents everyone!)

Time for cake! Gracie was very patient, arms folded and all, during the singing of her birthday anthem; and then afterwards, snuck a chubby hand out to snag a marshmallow. Shaylor thoroughly enjoyed his cake...good thing because he didn't touch dinner...stinker!

After the party, she was bathed (quite the 'ring around the tub'...must've been a fun party!), and then we read a book in her rocking chair. The lights were dim, and as I snuggled her in my arms, I told her how special she is to me and asked her if she had a fun birthday party and she grunted, "mmmhmmm."

I began to sing her "The Barney Song" ("I love you, you love me...") and she took her thumb out of her mouth to say,

"No. Nigh noo moo peekeeng."

Which of course means, "Night is near, Moon is peaking."

That is her lullaby. I have one for each of the kids. One that I sing from their birth. One that evokes so much emotion from me that I can hardly make it through the song some nights. It is the epitome of the infants they were. The sleepless nights, their tiny head resting under my chin, the possessive grip of their tiny fist, their soft hair, their sweet smell; the things I hope to never forget.

Night is near

Moon is peeking

Stars will soon twinkle bright.

Little babies are sleeping

So my darling, Good Night.

Do you hear Sandman knocking?

Soon you'll fall fast asleep.

I will hold you while rocking

'Till you slumber so deep.

Some nights, Gracie sings along with me. Some nights, she just hums past the thumb in her mouth. Tonight, as her eyes struggled to stay open, she brought her head up from where it lay in my arms to rest on my heart and melted into my body.

My tears softly fell and I whispered,

"I love you, Gracie."

And she sweetly replied, as she always does,

"Too."