The letter to my tiniest two year old.

 Dear Ainsey Baby -

You turn two today. Your life has been this crazy whirlwind. Almost exactly a year ago, we celebrated your birthday party as the final public event of 2020. This past year as you've grown, you've become used to temperature checks and masks and this makes me sad. We've stayed close to home more. We've stayed in and we've worked to stay safe. You don't know any different than this because it's been your whole life. I don't know if this is the "new normal" or will all be a distant memory for you.

You, my tiny child, are a beautiful flower. Tough in so many ways. You have a vision for things - you have a love to be part of things. You don't just see the world, you watch it. You love deep for those that mean something to you and it's beautiful. Sometimes I balk at your copy cat ways but they tell me so much about your personality. You soak in behaviors, you soak in spirits, you are constantly are watching around you and no body is immune to you to duplicate. When you combine this with your wits - it makes a dangerous combination. You are singing your ABC's with a clarity and counting to ten so well. Animal sounds are mastered. You love your babies. Constantly rocking them or shushing them. 

  

Watching you grow has been this unique journey for me. Unlike your siblings, I've never been able to soak in their little days and ways the way I have with you. I have a sudden understanding for the "baby of the family" concept and fear you will fight that - but in the same way that your brother fights "the boy" stigma or your sister, the eldest's responsibility burden. It's hard somedays to see you growing... remembering your baby days - when you'd sink into my chest. It feels a million moments ago. There are other days where your tone and face bring a smile - you saying "good night" at bed time. You begging your father to "hold you" these growing up moments that tell us exactly where you are beautiful. 

Yes, you are tiny but I do know you are mighty. You will run things - you will know your path. You will watch the world. I hope you push where you know you can make a difference. I hope your smile continues to brighten the paths around you. I hope you find those that love you - that fight for and along side you because you are unforgettable. May your world rise up to meet you and may you be ready. 

Happy second birthday, my baby.

Love Mama

p.s. Today is different than anyone's birthday. Your favorite teacher asked if she and you could spend the day together, her day off, at her house. I couldn't say no. When I dropped you off and watched the interaction between the two of you - I realized how lucky I am that someone cares so much and that you feel the same way. 

She had a beautiful day planned and was excited. You had party balloons, a sash, a crown. You made cupcakes, you did bubbles, you did a painting project. The pictures that she shared at the end of the day made my momma heart soar. Someone had taken time to plan a complete day with the goal of bringing smiles to your face. It was one of the most wonderful things I've seen. I know you won't remember it as you are so little and that's sad but know that Miss Kaylyn loves you and you had something just for you because of how special you are.

Tea for Two, Potty in the Potty, Swim lessons, Wagon Rides

Ainsey's birthday party was this weekend. It's been crazy for Matt and me with Session but I took a bit of time off to prep for her birthday. Tea for Two - a tea party! I do feel like Ains gets a raw deal. I used to make things and bring in different elements for parties - now I try to straighten up the house, order things off amazon and hope that the balloons will carry me through. Ironically, I hate those balloons for the coming weeks because the kids drag them through the house and fight about them BUT I guess it's part of the process. 

 

After nap, we got her into her birthday clothes. We had a full house - both grandparent sets, Auntie, Eric and Amanda, and Wes, Kristi, Tyler, Payton, and Mikey. She had fun opening presents but was a little unsure about the cake. E stepped in to help her blow it out. She did like the hustle and bustle of everything. It was a wonderful day. We, with the grandparents, got a pickler triangle, a waldorf arch, and a ramp. She also got a few books, a few items of clothes, dance lessons, a piano, and money for her piggy bank. The girl wants for nothing. It was a lovely day and by the time everyone was in bed - all were tired. 

We had our two year old well check! Ains is in the 50% percentile for height and the 1% for weight. sigh. Matt isn't worried. I continue to be concerned about her growth. 

Dr. Aaron: Any concerns?
ALR: Depends on who you ask. Is she on the growth chart?
Dr. Aaron: No. 
Dr. Aaron: So I can see both of your points of view. The thing is she's healthy, smart, and alert. There are no visible concerns about her growth but when you take into consideration that there are only 15 girls her age that are smaller than her, out of 10,000 it can create make you worry. 

Ultimately, we will just keep doing what we are doing. She's petite and may forever be. Grady was small for awhile... until he got off the bottle and on solid food - He went from the 19% to the 99th but I don't see that happening with Ains. It was a good appointment and he was impressed with her cognition and interest in going potty. We know we will see gains and stalls in that arena for a bit with changes in her classroom and her conquering other things. 

Meanwhile G has knocked it out of the park with his potty training. In January, we had switched to pull ups at night. He had one (maybe two) nights where he had a soaker situation but after almost two months of no accidents, we've decided it's game on with the undies. There was a time in 2020 where I will openly admit I'd given up but he's in a great spot and I'm proud of him. We signed him up for swim lessons to celebrate his accomplishments. 

E also got signed up for swim. She's so glad that Ainsey's party is now over because I wouldn't even talk about her birthday until after Ainsey's. We've worked through the linear progression of the year for some time to get to her birthday. She's so excited to be 5 and have a party. 

The weather has been gorgeous here. Aside from the cold snap earlier this month, we've brought out the bikes early, we've done some wagon rides and walks, and I'm looking forward to some activity in the spring and summer this year. 

Butchering, Haircuts, Potty Charts, and Dress Up

Depending on who you were... it was a big week. 

For Matt - he got to sharpen his knives again and it was his favorite time of year - pig butchering. Don't get me wrong he liked cow butchering earlier but pig butchering is not just cutting up or breaking down. It's about the bacons, the ribs, the sausage, the brats - it's a culmination of dreams and wonderfulness and Matt's been planning on it since he did the last pig. I was just there to sample things as we went. Wes was there this year - he appears to be angling for Matt's apprenticeship position and I'm not sure who is more excited about it. 

If you were Ainsley... it was a big week because she got her first haircut. Candy said she sat really well. It wasn't too much past a trim but it was her very first. I've always had a hard time with the first cut because that's the hair that they came with. Call me silly, like Matt does, but it's the last thing that connects them to the womb in my mind. E had this bright red hair, G's was so soft, and Ains's was this dark tuff. 

For Grady - we filled out all of our potty chart! All of it! He's done so well and I'm proud of him - there have been so few accidents. Maybe 1 or 2, not enough to remember. Because he got the chart all filled up, he got his very own Woody - which matches his Buzz. We will work now on no accidents at night - he's in undies full time and pull ups at night but he's doing amazing there too - I hate to jinx it. 

Past testifying at the capitol again, this time for a tax bill the rest of the week was lowkey. We've had some snow so we invited Wes and Kristi over to sled down our hill - unfortunately it wasn't enough snow and they ended up playing more in the ice. Ainsey wasn't not impressed. 

So, a little cleaning, a little fun, a little dress up - which always brings a smile to my face.