She just can't be!

To keep her birthday separate from Christmas, ME has her very own birthday tree.

Can someone tell me who this big kid is? This can't be our sweet baby Mary Elizabeth can it? It's amazing to think that I was lying in the hospital 2 years ago wondering what to do with this baby and how I will ever be able to take care of her. It's also funny to think that 2 years ago, Drew was trying to attempt to change his first dirty diaper on a baby by using disposable gloves. Ha! Somehow God has given us the answers and the support to help us raise such a sweet little girl, though. I thank Him everyday for giving me and Drew this precious gift.

Luckily, ME's birthday will usually occur after school is out. So I was able to have a great day just hanging out with her and Benjamin today. We started out with having eggs and cinnamon toast for "srrefsust" (breakfast). Then we went to our neighbor Kerri's house for an ornament painting playdate with all of my girlfriends and their kids. After that, I loaded up ME and Benjamin to get Sonic juice (she calls every drink, besides water or milk, juice) and head to the park because it was such a beautiful day today. But as soon as we pulled out of the driveway, she was passed out because she played too hard at Kerri's.

Tonight, we kept it very low-key since her party was on Saturday (a posting of that event will follow soon) and Christmas is this week. Once Drew came home, she opened presents from us and others. Then she got to blow out a candle from a cupcake before we went to eat. Sadly, I was too busy trying to make it a big deal by singing and taking pictures that I couldn't stop her from touching the flame on the candle. Honestly, I think I scared her more from trying to tell her don't touch rather than it actually hurting her, though. Luckily, she's OK, but no cupcake bday picture! And we made it up to her by taking her to dinner, open presents at VeVe's, and driving around Burns Park and Little Rock (where I think we spotted the Griswold's house) to see Christmas lights.

Mary Elizabeth, oh, how I can't wait to see what a beautiful lady you grow up to be. We've had so much fun with you these first two years and never stop amazing us with everything that you do. Happy Birthday, sweet munchkin! We love you!