Laila's 2nd Birthday

Laila turned 2 on Thursday!! We had some fun on her special day. It started with lots of hugs and kisses when she woke up. She has lots of adoring fans in this family.

Laila loves her daddy!

Since we all love the beach so much, we decided there couldn't be a better way to celebrate her Birthday since we have that option available. We chose to go back to Laguna Beach since there is a playground on the beach.

Laila and Daddy packing lunches for the trip.

I just love this picture of my big boys.

Sam and some other boys his age began a heated game of volleyball. It was so cute because none of them were even as tall as the net. We sat behind them watching them play. It cracked me up.

Sam, who learned to serve earlier in the day, was now teaching one of the other boys.

Laila spent the day playing in the sand, as usual.Here she is trying to bury Abby in the sand.

Her first Gogurt eaten the "big girl" way.

When walking to and from the beach, she must help push the wagon.
A little nap in the truck between celebrations.

That reminds me, this chick is addicted to her "noni"(binky). I don't know how we are going to break her of it without much weeping and gnashing of teeth. Usually, at 2 years old, we restrict the "noni" to the bed. Since we are on a trip, I plan to wait until we return home. I am probably as addicted to it as she is because it makes my life a lot easier, too!

We came back to the condo for a dinner of homemade pizza and brownies.

Laila loves pizza!

Celebrating is exhausting!!

Blowing out our "makeshift" Birthday Candles.

"Let me just lick this first and make sure it is okay."

I love this little girl. She is so loving and tenderhearted. She gives out so many hugs and kisses. At bedtime, when I tuck her in, she will always say to me, "Big hugs, Mommy." She also is quite the little singer. Her repertoire ranges from "All the Single Ladies," to "Jesus Loves Me," to "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and so many more. Even if you can't understand the words she is saying, you can tell what song it is because she sings right on tune.

She also thanks me each time I change her diaper. When we have come back each night from the beach the kids are all so dirty and need baths. Every step of the process, she is thanking me. I wash her, she thanks me. I dry her off, she thanks me. I put lotion on her, she thanks me. It is so precious. She HATES it when I have to comb through her hair. She gets these huge crocodile tears that are so sad looking. When it is over, we always end with a kiss to make sure she knows that I love her.

She has definitely entered the independent stage of being 2. Her new phrase that we hear regularly is "I do it." She wants to walk all the time instead of being carried. She doesn't want help with anything. She has to have a turn at fixing her hair and putting on lotion. She loves to blow her nose. She prays out loud at night before bed. Her prayer usually consists of naming each member of the family along with the word "sleep," ex. Daddy sleep, Mommy sleep. etc. followed by a passionate "amen!"

She has blossomed in so many ways over the last year in our family. I don't even recognize her as the little girl that I met in March '09. She has gone from being a emotionless little baby to an energetic, beautiful, active, and loving little girl.

We love you, Laila! You bring so much joy, love, and happiness to our family! Happy Birthday!