Happy Birthday, Montana

Dear Montana,

Today you are two! I can't believe how fast time has flown, yet somehow it seems you have always been in my life. Today we get to remember how you came barging into the world throwing both me and your dad totally and completely off guard. Yes, obviously I knew I was going to have you, but I thought I had one more month of pregnancy. I thought I would have a few more weeks to wash your new little clothes, make a birth plan, and make a music play list on my ipod for labor and birth. There was no waiting for you to come, my little love bug, you were ready before we were. But as I've learned in the 2 years of being your mama, I'm never fully ready for anything. You do things in your own time. When you're ready, not me.

I am delighted by your personality. You are a little looky-loo even at the ripe age of 2. How many times have I already told you to "pay attention" because you will step off the slide or trip over a stick because you are staring at other children at the park? People ARE fascinating, aren't they? Your extroversion already shines through...I am amazed by the energy you get when other people enter the room. You love to dance and carry around your stuffed animals. Your lastest new trick is moving the kitchen rug so you can drag a chair over to help me with what I'm doing in the kitchen. You HAVE to be in the action. Sometimes I look at other children asleep in their parents' arms at church or at a restaurant and I laugh because I know that no matter how tired you are, you wouldn't sleep because you don't want to miss anything.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Montana Faith. We continue to pray that you will have faith that will move mountains, that you will be kind and gentle to all people, and that you will continue to be adventurous. You are loved, Tana-Banana.

All my love,
mom

I am thankful

I have so much to be thankful for, but this year I am particularly thankful for health. Tuesday I went to our friend's house who has cancer. She is 26 years old and has been sick and in pain for 7 years. She doesn't have much energy, so we help her around the house with dishes, trash, etc. She told me that she wanted to live, but has made peace with death. Wow...and I was stressed about getting to Target to buy a new shirt to go with a sweater someone gave me. Talk about a dose of much needed perspective.
So today, I am thankful for my friend who lives so gracefully despite sickness. I am thankful for my body. I am thankful for my health. I am thankful I have the energy for small and large tasks. I am thankful for reminders.

More Colorado

While in Colorado Montana got to spend time with her cousins, Madelyn and Will, and the newest addition, Isabelle. Beautiful baby! Montana loved holding her and I forgot how fragile, small, and precious newborn babies are. It's amazing how quickly they grow and become crazy toddlers!! I hadn't been trick-or-treating in YEARS, so my sis and bro-in-law, broke me in. Madelyn went as Ariel, Will was Spiderman, Montana was a princess (of course), and Isabelle was just plain adorable. We got some good candy and it was a fun evening. Montana was her usual social self and enjoyed it, I mean what kid hates it??

Princess in Action

Sorry you have to turn your head to watch it - I'm not computer savvy (or patient) enough to figure out how to turn it. (PS if anyone knows...let me know!!)

Princess? My daughter? Really?

Yep. My daughter is loving the princess thing and she's hardly 2. When we found out we were having a girl, the one thing I did not want was a princess. Well, here she is loving everything pink, dress, and princess. I guess there's a little something to say about the whole nature vs. nurture controversy!! AND to top it off, when we were in Colorado, my parents and my sister completely egged it on. They bought her a princess dress complete with wings and a wand. She wore it almost everyday over her clothes and insisted on dancing whenever it was on. Four adults indulged a 23 month old whenever she saw fit.

Final Confession: She's utterly adorable and totally cracks me up.

Vermont

Highlight of my fall: visiting my friend, Shawna, in Vermont with Jenny. We had a terrific girls' weekend. The weekend got kicked off with a "chicken of wine" and ended at Ben and Jerry's home factory with lots of talking, laughing, eating, drinking, driving (not necessarily in that order) in between. Fantastic! It was my first time leaving Montana for that long and we both did just fine. She stayed in Colorado and got to spend time with both grandparents, while Aaron remained in Washington holding down the fort! Now of the top of my agenda: getting back to Vermont ASAP!! :)