Two years old!
My baby is two today.
I think, for me, anyway, that these days always sneak up and take us by surprise. We knew his birthday was coming, definitely. Despite getting a little bit behind, and having colds all weekend, we had gifts prepared for him, including handmade gifts from Mama and from Elisabeth. And I've been thinking about the fact that he's been with us for two whole years now quite a bit lately. He's actually been saying he's two for a couple of months now.
But, I still find that the real significance of the birthday is just not that apparent until the day actually arrives. Not until the birthday child awakens. Sometimes they know that it's their birthday right away, and sometimes they have to be reminded.
And then, there are the Birthday Traditions. The candles in the ring to be blown out, a crown to be worn all day (except he doesn't like to wear it, but that's OK, too), the birthday poem to be said, the gifts to be opened right after breakfast.
So, now I'm looking at my little one, in all his striking "two-ness." When did he become so capable? Where did all these certainties and opinions come from? When did he start playing like such a big kid with his sister?
He's full of joy, this one. Full of laughter, and jokes, and music. I have never known anyone who could make me so happy just by his presence. He can drive me completely crazy, making mischief, but then he'll just make me laugh and forget the whole thing.
Happy birthday, little one. I love you just as you are today. And I am so excited to see what you'll become over this next year.
Happy Birthday, sweet {baby} James!
Posted by: Alicia A. | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Wonderful post. Happy B-day sweet boy.
Posted by: Angela | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Just look at that imp. He has mischief on his mind you can tell! Two. Enjoy his last bits of babyhood.
xx
Posted by: QALBALLAH | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 03:54 PM
awwwww. that last photo is too much! happiness to you!
Posted by: mystele | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Hapde Burfday!
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 04:04 PM
happiest birthday, little mr. james! you are such a cutie. and you're getting so big! tell your mama i said hello. did she stencil that awesome shirt for you?? it rocks.
Posted by: cloth.paper.string | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Happy Birthday James! I love the birthday ring.
Posted by: Dawn | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Happy Birthday, it sounds like you guys celebrated well.
Posted by: Stacey | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 04:58 PM
oh happy day
Posted by: amy | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Happy birthday to your sweet little guy!
Posted by: Emilie | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Aw! Such cuteness in those photos! Some of my fondest memories of childhood are my birthdays. I'm sure his will be too! Happy birthday sweet one!
Posted by: Bluebirdbaby | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Oh, happy birthday to James and the whole family!!
Posted by: Amber | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 06:18 PM
ACK! that face. in the last photo. ack.
happiness to you both, you know.
Posted by: emily | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Happy birthday James! Enjoy being two.
I knew our boys were close in age but I didn't realise they were only a week apart - Edward turns two next week. I really can't believe it. My last baby, not a baby anymore.
Posted by: tmmorris@bigpond.net.au | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Oh my gosh...I love the last picture. I can't believe he's two! I still remember the Monday you called me and told me he was born...Happy Birthday James!
Posted by: Emily | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 08:17 PM
hi, i just stumbled across your blog looking for last minute b.day crown inspiration. My little one turns 3 tomorrow and it sounds as if they have similar personalities! : )
Posted by: maya | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Oh, he is so darn cute! Happy Birthday to you little fellow!
Posted by: Rebecca | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 08:52 PM
oh, my gosh! so so cute.
happy birthday to your darling!
Posted by: leslie | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Happy Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures.
Posted by: Lorien | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Happy Birthday Big Boy! Hope your day was super!
This post was so touching and I feel so blessed to have my own bundles of love to experience such joy and LOVE!
Posted by: Claudia | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 11:31 PM
What a cutie! Happy birthday!
Posted by: tiennie | Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
That last photo is so precious! Happy birthday!
Posted by: Steph | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Happy birthday to a gorgeous little man!
Posted by: patience | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Happy Birthday..it's scary how fast the time goes. So cute and cheeky on that last photo
Lisa x
Posted by: Periwinkle | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 01:54 AM
Happy Day sweet boy.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 06:19 AM
what wonderful memories you are making for your family! these are the things they will take into adulthood, hopefully. happy, happy day to you all.
Posted by: liza | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 08:41 AM
So cute! Happy birthday, James :)
Posted by: Molly | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Oh, his sweet face... Happy Birthday little one !
Posted by: asti | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM
that last photo is priceless!
happy birthday to your sweet boy!
Posted by: erin | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Love that last picture.
My little girl is almost one. It's funny to think a year ago today she was still inside me.
Posted by: Rita Joiner | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Grace, he's so sweet! Love catching a glimpse of your birthday traditions. My son will turn two in May; can't believe it's already so near! Happy birthday, James!
Posted by: Susan | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Happy Birthday from Germany!!!!
I love your candle ring -I think, I have the same from my childhood. Almost 41 years old and so much loved by my three children now!
Enjoy your special day!
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Happy Birthday! You are such a cute little guy! I want to pinch those cheeks!
Posted by: Tava/Yarnmama | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Birthday wishes to you little James and to you too Mama!! 2 is such a bittersweet turning point, but what fun to watch them change and grow at this age!
Posted by: Kate | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Aw, Happy Birthday Little Guy!
Our youngest just celebrated #2 as well and it's amazing how much more kid-like he suddenly is! It's not just that he is two, there have been obvious changes in him. It all seems to happen so quickly and I'm left wondering what happened to the little baby, that was just here, not so very long ago?
Posted by: melody | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Happy happy birthday sweet boy! Two years have passed so quickly, I love that you still have a baby face (hope you keep that forever, for your mama's sake). God bless you!
Posted by: Danielle Mohr | Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Hatty Dirtday!
Oh that last pic! Naughty yes? Xxx
Posted by: bex | Friday, March 14, 2008 at 01:00 AM
Happy birthday to James. What a cutie!
Posted by: Mary Beth | Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Simple and sweet,just the right way to celebrate a little one's birthday! I love those birthday rings,they are so special.
Posted by: Carrie | Monday, March 17, 2008 at 08:57 PM
~ Hi Grace!
I stumbled across your blog today, and am so glad I did. I have really enjoyed reading these first few posts. I'll be back!
Also, I have a question for you on this post - in your photos I see what looks like, for lack of a better term, "wreath" of little felt characters. I'm wondering if you made that, or if your purchased it somewhere. I would love to know, it looks darling.
Thanks!
Posted by: Allison Fouse | Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 01:59 PM