I'm 2!

It's been a whirlwind of a month, and Emalyn's 2nd birthday came and went like a flash.  But it was a fun day with some of her fun little friends.

I have to admit I felt guilty the night before her birthday.  My mental energy had been so focused on Easter and some other events earlier that week that her birthday really snuck up on me.  Luckily, I had at least put out the little party invite a few weeks prior and there were people coming.  I knew that Emalyn would have no idea that I had put so little thought into her birthday, but still, I felt like I had failed just a little bit as as mom.  Thankfully, the day went really well and those feelings of guilt went away quickly.

So yes, we now have a two year old who is growing, changing, talking more and more, and entertaining us throughout each day.   She is fiery, joyful, passionate, vocal, and loving.  She loves being with us and her big sissy, she loves going places (go go car???), and she is so excited by the world around her.  She is such a blessing to our family!

 

Happy Birthday morning!  Pancakes!

 

It's my party!  I'm super cute in the crown Aberly mede me.

 

Snacks with friends (Bend and Cooper)

 

 

Time to swim and play in the sprinkler!

 

I'm having so much fun!

 

I'm pretty sure if you look at my photo album as a child, my 1st or 2nd birthday party looks like this.  Naked babes in a pool.

 

Blowing out candles.

 

I did it!

 

Family photo

 

The "big kid" attendees

 

Aberly was a good helper.

 

One of many fun presents. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SWEET EMALYN HOPE!

Please don't take my sunshine away

Aberly has enjoyed singing "You are my Sunshine" lately.  Emalyn got a book for her birthday that is that song, so that is how she learned it.  She also requested I sing it to her at night.

Tonight, Em went to bed early due to some bug she's picked up, so Aberly and I were having some time together doing puzzles and then we were going to play a board game.  We sang our song again, and then I gave her a hug and a nuzzle and said, "I love you SO MUCH.  I would be so sad if something ever happened to you, or Emalyn, or daddy."

She went over to get the board game while I finished up her puzzle.  When she came back, she kind of huddled into the couch and was very quiet.  I thought she was just being patient while I put the last few pieces in her puzzle.  I looked a bit more carefully and realized she was all teared up.

I asked her what was wrong and she started to cry harder, but all the while trying to stifle her tears.  I pulled her into my lap and gave her a big hug, asking her to tell me what was going on.   Through a very choked up voice she finally got out that she was sad because I said how I would be sad if something bad happened.  I asked her if she was sad to think about something bad happening to one of us or us being gone.  That got the water works really going as she nodded her head yes.

I realized at that moment how much her ability to think had changed.  It also made me realize how much she is like me; a mind that worries and wonders.  One that is emotional and sensitive.  I have distinct memories of being overcome with anxiety and tears when I thought about heaven was "forever" and that there would be no end.  I was around 2nd or 3rd grade.  My poor mom.

As I sat there hugging Aberly, I wanted to comfort her in so many ways.  I wanted her to know we would keep her and Emalyn safe.  That we wouldn't leave her.  I told her those things.  But I also wanted her to know that it was okay to think about those things and that she wasn't alone.  But I was limited on how much I could say without making her worry more.

I told her that she could always talk to me and Daddy about her feelings when they were sad or scary.  That even we got sad or scary thoughts.   "Really, even now as a grown up?" she responded.  Oh yeah.  But I couldn't tell her about what.

I couldn't tell her what I worry about each and every day.  About her or Emalyn being hurt or dying.  That I fear that me or Colin will die unexpectedly.  That anyone of us gets a deadly disease.  That I consider not doing things to avoid potential injury.  That I worry about dying in our next plane ride home.  That something will happen to my parents or brother.  That I fear for the future of our planet because of climate change.  That I hurt for the already injured and dying because of climate change and war.  That I still think about the afterlife and eternity.  That what if there is nothing and this is it?  That I get overwhelmed by existence.

How could I tell her all that?  She doesn't need any more to worry about.  It will come in time.

For now, I will hug her tight when the thoughts come on occasion.  I know most of the time she will be okay.  But if she is like me, and I know she is, there will be times when she is hit with deep thoughts and worries.  Things that make her mind spin.  And I'll be there.  Colin and I will be there.

Our Last Easter in Oman

Knowing we are moving, we've found that so many things we do this year get the "last" adjective attached to them.  This was one of them.

Easter in Oman has always been pretty low key.  We've never gone to church on Easter here because it is CRAZY busy and most of the services are early.  It's also pretty warm this time of year, so we've kept egg hunting inside to prevent any melting candy.  And we don't really have much outdoor space to hide the eggs, so indoors works best.  We've kept our holiday to hunting for eggs, an Easter basket, dying eggs, and lunch/brunch.  Luckily, Aberly does know why we celebrate Easter, despite us having a very non-religious Easter experience. 

This year was out most fun Easter to date.  Emalyn LOVED everything we did for Easter as well, and was an active, and excited, participant.  Aberly really enjoyed it as well, and even told me this was the best Easter we've ever had.

 

Prepping the dye for eggs.

 

Two happy girls.  Emalyn was ready to put eggs in the cups every second.  You can see we didn't catch her fast enough and she got two eggs in the purple cup.

 

  

Very proud of her eggs.

 

Writing a card for the Easter Bunny and leaving him some snacks. 

  

Aberly was up at 6:15 and what a sweetie, she patiently played in her room on the iPad until the rest of us got up at 7:00 to search for eggs.

 

I have to give her credit, she found some eggs I didn't expect her to!

 

Look, eggs!!!

 

Checking out their Easter basket.  Emalyn was all about the little chocolates.  She ate two before we could stop her before breakfast.  Hey, it's once a year.

 No pictures of it, but we had a really nice brunch at the Wood's house this year.   The girls happily ate and played with friends while the adults ate, chatted, and sipped on mimosas.

 

Our last event of the day was a little scavenger hunt at school that one of our co-workers organized for staff kiddos.  The kids had fun searching the school for the goodies.  Here is Aberly with two good buddies, Marin and Izzy.

 

Emalyn was just happy to get more treats!

HAPPY EASTER!

WE HOPE YOURS WAS BLESSED AS WELL.