It seems to me that there is no better measure of the passage of time than a child. Two years ago tonight, I was packing to go to the hospital. You were literally trying to kick your way out of my belly. There was a wicked snowstorm.
We left the house at 4:30 am to get to the hospital for check-in. You were the first scheduled baby delivery of the day. Your daddy got to put on scrubs and was in the operating room the whole time. He got to see you first, and hold you first, too. You were a little red screamy thing all wrapped up in a blanket. When I got to the recovery room, and the nurse brought you to me, the first thing I said to daddy was, "she's so pale". I didn't really know what babies looked like when they were first born, but I thought you'd be browner. I'm sure you understand why.
You had a little personality from the start. And a little temper. You spent the day with daddy and me, but we sent you to the nursery that night. In the morning, the nurse told us, "that one's got a temper on her". You were quite the little screamer.
We figured it out, eventually. What you needed when you fussed. What your different cries meant. What made you laugh and what you didn't like.
What I never expected was how much you would change me. I'm a different person than I was before I had you, in a million ways I could never explain. Just better, I hope. With each day, I just grow more fascinated and more in love with you, little Dani.
I just can't seem to figure out when my little baby girl, turned into a kid. Really. You climb stairs by yourself. You sing songs. You know your numbers and letters and colors. You even know Kornheiser and Wilbon by voice, and love Chicago Bears Football. I never knew a little kid could laugh so much, or make me laugh so much.
You've been asking for "yellow Mickey Mouse shoes". They should be here tomorrow. You're a tad obsessed with Mickey Mouse, but at least you don't know who Justin Bieber is.
Know Dani, that you are loved. Not just by daddy and me, but by your whole family. By the many friends that we have that ask about you and read about you on this blog and see your pictures on facebook. Mommy's clients all know who you are and ask about you. You're just a bright little light that shines on all of us.
So, as you enter your second year, I don't know what you'll do. You've already hit almost every milestone our pediatric book says you should hit at the end of your second year. We're going to work on the potty thing, and then maybe algebra? Just kidding, we'll wait until you're three for algebra.
So, my little snuggle pup, happy birthday. Happy 2.
We're going to have a great year!
The party had a Mickey Mouse theme. Dani's obessed with Mickey Mouse. Here she's rockin' the Minnie dress.
Dani's Mickey cake, made by a high school friend of mine. (If anyone needs her contact info, let me know, she makes an awesome custom cake!)
Dani had lots of gifts to open. 
Miss Ruth gave Dani a guitar. Guitars were a popular gift, Dani got three different ones. We rocked out with them today.
In other news, Tori popped her second tooth, and is trying desperately to walk. I also found out that I'm pregnant again. Yep, prego with number 3. Really hope it's a boy. Due in August. So we'll have 3 under 3. Nice! I told Dani, and she kisses my belly and says "hi baby". She told me it's a sister....keeping my fingers crossed that she's wrong, because there will be no 4th try!
Big girls share their toys with little girls. Sometimes, at least.
We had cupcakes!
There were tears. Overtired babies were at the sitter's for three days with minimal naps. All in all, Dani had a good birthday. They were over the moon yesterday when Daddy got home.
Tori was really bummed when he was gone. I know it sounds crazy, but even the sitter said there was something off. She just didnt' smile, but she wasn't sick or anything. The minute daddy came home, she was a different baby--just happy and smiley.
Oh yeah--and she can sit up by herself too!