Ivy Jean – Two and a HALF!

Ivy Jean you are two and a HALF! I can hardly believe it. We celebrated your half birthday with a half cake just like we did the previous two years (here and here). This year you helped me make the cake and put the sprinkles on yourself. I make a lot of mistakes, but I am getting the cake part right. Your Gamma taught me that. 

You are FULL of personality, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that some days it is a challenge. I see traits in you that I know will carry you into a strong and beautiful woman who I pray will have a fierce love for Christ.

You have grown and changed so much in the last month I feel a bit like my head is spinning. Panties and painted toenails all happened in a two week span. You asked for my car keys the other day and then pretended to drive away saying, “Bye bye, see you next week.” Gave me a glimpse of your teenage years. Slow down, girl. 

You regularly string several sentences together often to say, “No mommy, Ivy do this.” or “How do this?” presumably so that next time you can say that first one again. 😉 Your dad and I try our best to pick our battles and let you do everything you can on your own because #girls. You also make me smile as you say, “I sad!” and then shortly after “I happy now.” I have no idea who you got that from.

I love watching you learn and seeing your imagination take shape. You are acting out the life you see around you playing “work” the way you see daddy go and come home each day, pretending to take walks to the “blue house” (our favorite popsicle stand), flying on an airplane to the beach, and more. We go to the park a lot. You and your dad camped outside in the backyard for the first time recently too. I’m honestly not sure who was more excited, you or him. It was the most precious thing ever. You came inside the next morning and told me all about it as if I hadn’t been awake all night long checking on you both. 

You have the most tender heart, especially when it comes to babies. Your babies are your constant companions at home, and your crib is getting pretty full with them at night. You know all of our real baby friends’ names and ask me if you can hold them in advance of seeing them. Recently you asked for a white dog (specifically) and a baby. Oh sweet girl, if only it were that easy. You pray every night saying, “Dear Jesus, baby brother, Amen.” I don’t know for sure, but I think that prayer might hold more weight than mine. So earnest and pure. I do know it must make Jesus’s heart so happy. Until He answers, you precious girl are our dream come true. And I won’t be surprised if we have a baby brother. 

Huge thanks to Randy Yeats for continuing to capture our family in such a special way and to my sweet husband for indulging my love of photography. I like seeing you on the other side of the camera. Randy has been our family photographer since Ivy Jean was six months old, and I highly recommend her!