Jelly Bean is Two!

Our little lady is TWO years old! It was a wonderful day full of family, friends, surprises, Minnie Mouse, and "backe backe kuchen" (cake). 

This was the first time she got to help bake cupcakes. She did a good job and ate only twice as much as made it into the cupcake holders. 

After a morning of preparing the house and ourselves, Bean got to open the first of her gifts. 

PJ helped. A lot. 

After naptime we all got dressed into our party clothes. She got to wear a brand new "princess" dress. 

The dress didn't stay for long - not a big surprise - and she got to be quite the expert at present opening by the end of the day. A number of friends came as well as family. It was a relaxed atmosphere with good people and good food. 

As the evening came to a slow close, Bean finally got a quiet moment with Granny and Grandpa together. 

We have so many more pictures, even with us parents!, of our wonderful day together. 

Birthdays are special, an opportunity to celebrate the birthday kid as well as reflect on how lucky the rest of us are for that specific birthday kid. 

Bean, I love you and I'm so grateful you joined us. 

XO

So Many Worries

I haven't been posting that often recently. Not because I don't love you all - its more because there are so many worries bouncing around in the new House of Joy. I may share them, when I discover the words to express them, or I may see them float away into the realm of stuff-I-should-have-never-worried-about-and-quickly-forget-about before those words come to me.

Until then...there is thankfully at least one thing I don't have to worry about: PJ telling me what he wants, what he doesn't want, and making that super-duper clear.

PJ at his party exploring some cake.

I remember those party hats my mom sent...

...and slip one on.

2 seconds later: PJ doesn't like it.

He REALLY doesn't like it.

I take it off.

And we're good. Clear communication.

Or, even better, PJ wants some mommy loves.

Mommy sneaks up behind PJ to pose for a picture.

PJ realizes mommy is behind him.

PJ and mommy get excited.

PJ moves in for some mommy loves.

Mommy pulls back but PJ isn't done. The hug continues.

Yeah to clear communication! And, oh lordy, I love those PJ hugs.

All these amazing photos from the talented Aline Lange.


xo

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: 1st Birthday

This pictures were all taken within 30 seconds on PJ's first birthday.

My little ham!

xo

Happy 1st Birthday PJ!

Our little man had his first birthday. Welcome (officially) to toddler-hood, PJ!

There is so much that I could write - so much PJ has learned and grown and changed ... that the Mr. has learned and grown and changed ... that I have learned and grown and changed. But I won't. Not today. Today I'm swimming on the joy of his birthday party and all the love that filled our house. Today, I continue to joyfully celebrate with only a tiny bit of cerebral action (ie - thinking 'too much').

The theme was PJ's favorite book: Chirpy Chick, a gift from Uncle Frannie and Kiwi at the baby shower. When we were in the US in April and May, my mom and I made a onsie for PJ to wear with Chirpy Chick on the front. And here in Germany the very talented Rachel Shoham Hacket of Perfectly Precious {Events + Treats + Homemades} made an extraordinary Chirpy Chick cake.

PJ and his Chirpy Chick onsie.

The amazing cake.

Mommy, PJ, and the cake.

The Steinbach clan.

Happy Birthday PJ. Thank you for stretching our family and making life so much more fun.


xo