Our Girl is 2!

Happy birthday Evie! I know this post is a tad bit belated, but in your mind, every day is your birthday (yes, we're proud you know the song now!) Your 2nd birthday was so wonderful - morning celebrations with Yiayia and Papou, a party with Yiayia's class, more fun with Daddy's class, a visit from Aunt "Meena" (the cape is perfect!) and then, of course, your party! We were lucky enough to have cousins in from St. Louis for the big event - and family and friends from Kansas City too. We all put on our pajamas and ate pancakes - two of your favorites - and, at your request, sang three rounds of "happy birthday!" You are such an amazing little girl - already a spitfire with so much love, drama and imagination - we love you with all our hearts! A few of the things we love the most:

• When you say "I You" and we know it means you love us.
• Your sometimes crushing hugs. Nora may not appreciate these quite as much - remember how we told you to be gentle?!
• How you watch yourself in the mirror, even turning to the side to see your back, make funny faces, etc. This could be a problem down the road - right now it's adorable!
• All your singing - especially "EIEIO" - but you don't have to sing quite so loud you know!
• The new things you learn and say every day. How did you learn your colors? You get them right all the time - even purple and orange! And it's so cute how you're asking so many questions. "What's that? Who's that? Where did he go?"
• Your imagination! Who new a piece of cheese could be a train AND a baby! One bite makes all the difference!
• How there's always a "sister" in every group - i.e. If we see horses, there's always a daddy, mommy, baby and sister. A group of blocks - same thing. You see every group as a family and even include the sister. It melts our hearts.
• Your overwhelming love for Nora. How excited you get when she wakes up or comes in the room. This love helps especially when you whack her on the head for taking your toy - or most recently - kicked her in the stomach for taking your cheese stick. Not our most enjoyable wagon ride!
• These three words - "Pick up me." Because even though our backs are killing us, we still love that you need us.

Here are a few pictures from your party:

Uh-Oh

Looks like eating breakfast off/on the floor has become a new habit in our house!

Our New Nephew

Introducing Mason William LaBerta, our new nephew! Matt and Mary - you must be so proud! He's just gorgeous!! We all hope to meet the new addition very, very soon. Love you all!

Just another day

Here is Evie hugging her sister.

Here is Evie strangling her sister.

Wanna bet Barnes & Noble doesn't make a book for that one?!