Happy Birthday, Esther

Esther turned two.   

She is a very happy two-year old.

She's been singing "happy-birthday to you" almost every day since her birthday.

Esther-isms:

"Mamma nuggle?"  (snuggle)

Mom: Who loves daddy? 

Esther: (both hands raised) "I do!"

Esther: "Sam, I do?"

Mom: "Who loves Sam?"

Esther: (hands raised high) "I do!"

...this continues until we've named everyone in the family, plus a few cousins, aunts, and grandparents.

When we're eating something she wants: "I like" or "Daddy share-wih-you" (ie. share with you)

Anytime someone leaves the house: "Bye, bye! I love you! I miss you!"

"Mamma, change-you diaper, please?"

As we put on pajamas: "Bye, bye piggies." (toes) Bye, bye bee-bo." (belly button)

Every morning, pulling on my hand: "Mamma, I hungry! I want cheese. Gettup!"

"Mamma by you?" (sit by me)

"gwa-gwa" (grandma/grandpa)

"Sam chi-chi" (kisses)

Playing peek-a-boo under the blanket: "Where's she-sher?" (Esther)

"I cook dinner!" (as she puts her orange slices in the little frying pan on her play kitchen stove)

"daddy  horsie?" (ride on dad's back up the stairs on the way to bed)

My personal favorite: "Daddy chunker!" 

She was lucky to have her grandma visiting for her birthday. Grandmas are fun. They let little girls brush their hair for a very long time and push strollers around the table no less than thirty times.

Esther is my favorite little friend.  We have been almost inseparable for the last two years and I love her company.  She is fun, energetic, compassionate, happy, and full of love and life.  She brings us so much joy!  

This is the park where Esther and I like to visit.  In the summer we swim in the little lake and in the winter we still like to come say hi to the ducks and throw rocks in the water. We took these pictures on Sam's due date...6 days later he came and things changed.  It's not just the two of us anymore.  Even though we love him to pieces, it's been a tearful transition.  Esther has cried about it too, although she doesn't realize that's why she's crying.  She just knows that now when she asks "Momma hoe-jew" (hold you), that mom is holding Sam instead. 

Esther's Favorites:

washing hands

pushing babies in the "gillow" (stroller)

animals (she can pull  up the animal app on the iPad and find the video of the lions and the "gorla")

cosmetics (ask me about whats happened to our tub of hair pomade, children's mentholatum chest rub (that looks like hair pomade), lip balm, liquid soap, hand sanitizer, and my makeup)

babies: Lammie, Piggy, and bear

reading books with mom or "reading" books by herself

"cull-ee"  (coloring)

doing tricks while saying "mamma watch!"

chocolate, nuts, "chee-bread" (bread with cheese), raisins, "dnk" (drink of water)

singing songs like "You Are My Sunshine" (which we finally caught on camera!)

Esther, you are a joy.  Your smile radiates happiness and your love for people is so pure.  I love that twinkle in your eye when you know you're being a tease. Your mom and dad stay up late laughing at the funny things you did that day and talking of how much we love having you in our lives.  It's a privilege to be your mother and watch you grow.