Happy Birthday Hazel!

Happy Birthday my little Hazel Basil! 

Today you are TWO years old. And you know what? I can totally believe it. 

You are so full of life and curiosity. You speak in sentences and communicate with me pretty well (not claiming that anyone else can always understand you, but I know what your words sound like.) You are full of opinions and ideas. You are bursting at the seams with personality!

You haven't had much of an interest in other kids. Sometimes you take to them, but mostly they just seem to offend you if they do anything in the slightest that may not be in your definition of "polite."  Then they are on your list for life. You've never been one to be true to your age and forget quickly.

Your favorite people are family. Your grandparents and uncles and aunts. You have a special relationship with your daddy, even though you like to play games with his heart sometimes but always choosing me. Because, I mean, I'm your ultimate favorite, ;) But I think that June is truly your best friend. You both love to play with each other. When we pick her up from preschool you cheer and once she's in the car you ask her about her most recent art project, she shows you, and you give an approving "Oh!" You both cuddle during shows. If you ever get a fruit snack or any edible thing you always make sure that you get one for "Ju-ey" as well. You both spend your days playing together and even though you have your fights, you honestly are happy more often than not and you both look out for each other.

All that time I spent holding you as a baby is really paying off as you continue to want to cuddle with me all day, even as a busy toddler. I don't have to wait for a sick day from you, just any old time will do. Except every time before you go to lay your head on my shoulder you make sure it's a clear spot, "Mommy, hair!" you say as you push any strands away. You don't realize it but I'm insecure about how skinny and bony I am- I fear my shoulder is not a soft place for you to lay so every morning I put on my huge soft blanket-like robe so that you feel like I'm your pillow. 

You are a clever little thing. You're good at puzzles and finding things in books. You catch on quickly when instructed or taught how to do a new thing. You learned to dress yourself, blow your nose, play hide and seek, drink with a straw, and other various things like that at an early age. And you just did them. You like trying new things but you still have an element of caution to what you do. It's a nice mix. You have also become rather famous for the scowl that you give. But it's because you do them with such purpose. It's not like you're mad and your face shows it, it's that you're mad and so you want everyone to know and you make the scowl yet there's a glimmer of rascal in your eyes as you wait for a reaction. For some reason I have not yet been able to get a good photo of this face, but I will one of these days!

You're very proud and excited to finally have enough hair to wear a bow or have a little pony tail. You love tutus and pirates. You still cling to your baby blankets and insist on having the tags of the blanket in your fists. You also find security in your special stuffed animals. But you do seem to rotate who those special stuffed animals are. At night you want nothing more than a lullaby and a back rub from me and then you are content.

You love to talk about Ariel, the little mermaid, and to sing her song.

You do have a tease in you as well. Your face lights up as you snatch special toys from your sister and run away, while she cries somewhere in the background. You've also been experimenting with hitting. Mostly you do it with a grin on your face, eager to see the reactions you are going to get. Sometimes I think you hit just so that you can say you're sorry and give a hug. You're a little to quick to apologize sometimes... But other times when someone pushes your buttons too much you have a point where you fire up and go after the assailant with your hand high, ready to strike! You DO have red in your hair and it seems to give you that extra oomph and passion...

But no matter what, you have been nothing but a blessing in our lives. Having you is truly one of the best things I have ever done with my life! Nothing else can match it. With you and your sister I feel like the luckiest person on this planet, truly I do! Out of all the spirits that ever were or ever will be, I got YOU and I cannot believe my good fortune. These have been some of the best days and even with the passion that comes with a two year old, I am SO EXCITED to continue to get to know you and see who you are going to be.

I LOVE YOU! Happy Birthday!

 This past year Hazel:

Went from two to 16 teeth!

Has hair that is finally growing a little bit more, with an orange color to it!

Counts to like, 4, and then jumps all over the place with the other numbers

Sings many little songs

Loves puzzles and books where you have to look for and spot hidden things

Understands and communicates really well. Says a lot of sentences!

At Two Hazel Has, in the past year:

Ridden on a pony

Gone to a trampoline play place

And a bounce house play warehouse

Gone on many road trips to Boise

Swam in a (not too hot) hot tub

Started Swimming lessons

Touched the Pacific and Atlantic oceans

Gone to Portland Oregon and Portland Maine within a few months of each other

Eaten cheese at a cheese factory

Gone bowling

Touched a live lobster

Gone on two trips via airplanes

Fed Ducks

Held a lizard

Touched a sting ray

Spent many afternoons in the mountains, little hikes and throwing rocks into the river

Developed a true love for pizza and chocolate

Roasted marshmallows

Gone through two LDS temple open houses

Visited a bird aviary

Visited countless museums and gardens

Started a dance class

Blown bubbles

Gone to a wedding

Visited the National Dinosaur Monument

Attended library story times

Held a sparkler

Gone on carnival rides

Picked blackberries and raspberries from the bush

Splashed in puddles

Held her baby cousin

Gone to a renaissance festival

Visited a Hindu temple

Gone on a boat ride, or two or three

Stayed the night at a lighthouse

Picked food fresh from the garden

Gone to a pumpkin patch

Ridden on a real train

Visited an Art Museum

Attended a Masquerade ball

Played at an Arcade

Taken a ride in a Limo

And on a real sleigh ride!

Pet a reindeer

Set off a sky lantern

 I'd say she had a pretty great year! We can't wait to see what this next one brings.