Happy Birthday, My Strong Willed Two Year Old -

Happy Birthday little No. You are now my strong willed TWO year old. You were from the moment you started growing inside of me! I knew I was pregnant with you almost immediately – almost two weeks before I even saw that plus sign on the pregnancy test! Always making yourself known – even to today!

Life with you is hard. But it is even more beautiful. It was hard while I was pregnant and crying all the time for no reason. In the same way, it was hard those first 6 months home with you, when you too, would cry all day long for no reason. But it’s beautiful when you pull on my leg and say “hold you”. It’s beautiful the way you have always looked at your brother, so fascinated by all his actions.

Happy Birthday No-no! These last two years with you have been so hard but I can’t wait to see how beautiful it will be too.

Strong Willed Two Year Old

You can be stubborn, but also determined. Willful but headstrong. It’s so funny how there are two sides of the coin with you strong-willed toddlers. You know how to wear me down with you ways.

You also know how to soften my heart when you voluntarily decide to come hug me, when you want to cuddle as soon as you wake up. Some days I have no idea how to make you happy but never a day goes by without you making me happy! I know that your determination will always push you to be your greatest self. I have always had that determination and I love seeing that in you. It’s amazing and terrifying all at the same time when you are watching your child turn into you. I hope to see more and less of me as the years go on 😉

Surely, I hope that on the days where you’re relentlessly determined to get your way, you remember that you are so fully loved. I hope that you always feel special (even though I know it is hard being that dreaded middle child).

Thank you for all your smiles, cries, kicking and screaming, and silly words. Thanks for being my adorable blankie baby, my early riser and lover of all things grandpa!

I pray that you never stop being yourself. I pray that I will be patient with your willfulness. May your day be filled with lots of bubbles, balloons, and watching Wreck It Ralph a million times in a row.

Love you little Nolie Polie!