Otis | 1st Birthday Party

I pray we never forget what a chocolate covered blur you were at your very first birthday party, Otis! You were on.the.move or else and into it all! And just as I remember feeling at Wren's first birthday - I just feel so happy and content with our little family. You belong to us through and through and we'd never go back to before there was you. You make all of our hearts swell so big; your slobbery open-mouth kisses, melt me smiles and general crazy boy mischief is best here to stay! 

We all sure do love you and hope you always feel celebrated! Wren sure did task herself with making sure your day felt special to you. My sweet boy, just keep growing big and strong and we can't wait to spend all of our days with you as you do!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Wren!

I can hardly believe that we celebrated our sweet and spunky THREE YEAR OLD this past weekend. Wren Mikaela, you are such a delight! You are an extrovert to the max, inclusive to everyone, full of energy and imagination, a little wild, more than a little particular (like your mama) and such a special big sister and often a "little mama" to Otis and anyone else who will let you boss them around. You sure do keep us laughing and the best kind of tired at the end of each day. 

Often our favorite part of the day is listening to your response when we ask you your favorite part of the day at bedtime each night. Sometimes it is relevant to our actual happenings, sometimes it is pretend kitties, but it is always a chance to get to just enjoy who you are becoming. 

2017 has been a big year so far and you have just increased your stride to take it all in. We love your adaptability and how it helps us be more bold, adventurous and non-stop as a family. We are so blessed that you are ours and we love you much! Always play purty, little bird.

Wren [2 years old!]

How in the world did another year, another birthday get here so quickly?! 

This year has been one that probably grew us and stretched us more than the last. Not any less special, just different. Wren Mikaela, you have led us to plenty of new phases and through many transitions, and yet we have established such a sweet rhythm to our little family! I especially love how your sweetness still lingers though your sass has very much arrived. How your adventuring spirit, humor and social butterfly skills are on the rise every single day. And the way your energy, playfulness and imagination make our days spent together a bit magical [and our pictures more blurry]. Although sometimes it is certainly your will against mine. And Daddy is no stranger to this tension too - you apparently don't take weekends off from your toddlerhood! But we are more confident and refined in our parenthood much because of all this newness that is here to stay (more where that came from I'm sure!) and your grace with us as we learn as we go.

Even still with all of the newness, this year had such a stagnation to it. And while I have thrashed plenty against this fact, a fresh September with the freedom and space to delight in celebrating you and the beauty of more time as a family of three, planted right where we are, is proof enough that God's plan is better than my own. 

And we will continue to welcome all that God has for us ahead because we have the very best constants. Each other. Our family. The Anderson tribe and our Wooly Boo (: Thank you for making our simple, ordinary life the very best adventure! We are so thankful that you belong to us! 

Happy 2nd birthday to you, little bird, and happy 7th birthday to our sweet, Sully! We love you both!

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Did you say birthday parties?!

Just like last year, little bird, we partied twice for your birthday - on Saturday in Walhalla with family and Sunday in Greenville with friends. Saturday we had fruit pizza and real pizza at South Cove Park on Lake Keowee and you ran from grand to grand, great aunt to aunt, cousin to cousin and to sweet family friends getting your dose of birthday spoils and attention. You danced and played on the playground and finally hit your wall. As expected after a busy afternoon of celebrating, you lasted about 3 minutes before passing out in the car on the way home.

On Sunday afternoon we celebrated at one of your favorite places at one of our favorite spots - Paris Mountain. Our best buddies came to eat cupcakes (lavender, in keeping with our birthday tradition) and romp around in the creek with you. And they sweetly showered you with the most thoughtful gifts! 

Looking back, I can't quite believe how much you've grown since last year at your first birthday, but thankfully some things are unchanged here at your second time around - you are oh so busy, but still catchable for a big "mooch" and you still love of super cheesy grins, sugary sweets, chomping on ice (like mama) and being the recipient of much attention [I know, uh oh!].

We are certainly a blessed family to enjoy life and all of its milestones with such special family and friends. How precious it is to see you receive love and feel celebrated for the gift that you are to us all!