Two

My baby is two years old. I know that in the grand scheme of things two years old is still, well, young. But in the Maisy scheme of things? Oh, my heart. How has the time passed so quickly? How is that tiny infant of 7 lbs. 5 oz. now a big, strong girl of 25 lbs. 11 oz.?

My heart. My joy. My life. My Maisy.

She's got spirit, yes she does:

Upon seeing this photo, Maisy explained: "Maisy say RAAAWR!"

This birthday was the first time that Maisy was particularly excited about gifts. From the first gift on her birthday morning, to the last one the afternoon of her birthday party, Maisy really enjoyed unwrapping presents: "More presents?" If the gift was clothes, she immediately wanted to remove whatever she was wearing to put on the new item. If the gift was a toy, she had to play with it right away. One card contained some cash, which Maisy carried around from one hiding place to another all morning, and which caused her to inquire "More money?" upon opening subsequent cards. If the present was a book: "Mama read it." Or, "Daddy read it", as the case may be:

Early on her birthday morning, Maisy and Daddy read about our good friend Maisy Mouse.

Later in the day (with her hair brushed!) Maisy waited patiently to read.

We celebrated Maisy's birthday quietly at home on the 21st, and again with friends on the 23rd with a small party at a playground. Of course I didn't manage to get any decent photos at the birthday party, but here are one each from each celebration:

On her birthday, Maisy was more interested in the flowers than in the (mediocre grocery store) cupcake, although she did enjoy the candle's "fire!!" immensely. (In contrast, at her birthday party, she was all about the (delicious bakery) cupcakes, grabbing them one by one off the plate to eat the decorations.)

Maisy wore a pretty new dress from Grandma to her birthday party.

Our gift to Maisy was a Skuut balance bicycle, which she asks to ride every chance she gets. It's amazing to see how much her balance and ability to glide (for very short stretches) improves with each outing! I'll close with a photo of Maisy on her Skuut, happy as can be: