Mitchell's Birthday Highlights!

Mitchell had a WONDERFUL 2nd birthday! Jacob and I literally don't think it could've been any better :) Here are some highlights....he certainly had a TRAIN filled day!

Jacob's Dad and Diane sent us a riding train with tracks that we set up in a figure eight around the living room. They were ready to go when he woke up...he was so excited (although you can't tell by his face in this picture)! He figured out quickly how to ride the train and was infatuated with it all day!

We took him to Fritz's for lunch. It's a local restaurant with trains that deliver your food. He LOVED it!

Here's our little birthday boy engineer :)

He got a chocolate sundae as a free birthday treat. He liked the whipped cream better than the icecream - silly boy!

We had lots of help celebrating from family, who joined us for ice cream and cake...and lots of present opening!

Aunt Kel and Mark made the trip from Minneapolis to celebrate with the little guy!

Aunt Darci came from Dubuque, Iowa to see her nephew :)

Dad and Sherri bought him this cute Birthday Boy shirt (among other things) and joined us for the festivities as well!

My mom and David spoiled him for a week straight...including Christmas and his birthday! They headed home yesterday morning. Mitchell woke from yesterday's nap asking "Where's Grandma? I want to play with her." Luckily she'll be back when the new baby arrives!



We all sang Happy Birthday and the little guy blew out his own candles on his train cake.



It tasted as yummy as it looked!

As if he wasn't spoiled enough from everyone else's birthday presents that we had already opened, we saved his new room for last. We finally let him come in and despite our efforts to get the entire room ready for him, he had eyes ONLY for the new train set! I have never seen him play with a toy for as long as he has played with his train set! He LOVES it!

After an hour or two, he did finally start checking out the rest of the room...including his new big boy bed. I am PROUD to report that he is soundly sleeping in his big boy bed for the very FIRST time as I type! After laying him down the first time, he got up once and came to the top of the stairs shouting..."Mommy & Daddy, I'm awake." Jacob took him back in again and we haven't heard a peep out of him since. We both realize this could be a long night - we'll see!

A Gift From Above

Twinkle, twinkle, my little star

Do you know how precious you are?

Our little teapot with his handle and spout

Getting steamed up and letting it out!

Reminiscing about my little man

Is sure to bring about a smile

To think of how you've grown this year

In your own, very unique style.

I think about your beautiful red hair

Certainly your most unique physical trait

Typically mild mannered and a crowd pleaser

But often stubborn and strong-willed...oh, great!

You are Mr. Independent

How dare I try to assist!

"I can do it" or "Just Mitchell"are heard often,

I think you get the jist :)

Late at night, tucked in to rest,

We are certain to get request after request

for One more book, One more song

One more hug, 'cause the night is so long!

As we rock, your sweet head resting on my shoulder

I realize tonight that you're one year older

Quiety we rock to and fro

I begin to face the truth I know...

Times like these will soon come to an end

And you will say goodbye to your childhood ways

Your innocence and sweet little voice will mature

And we'll all have a hard time remembering your younger days

So grow up little boy, you have my blessing

to continue learning and growing, trying and testing.

And Daddy and I will do our best to catch you when you fall.
With God as our guide, we'll give it our all.

That's all we can do, to Love with full measure

Our precious child, one earthly treasure

That's you, little one, and soon another

For it's only a few weeks before we welcome your brother!

So Happy Birthday, my two-year old love

You certainly are a gift from above.

We Love you,

Mommy and Daddy