Two Perfect!

Happy 2nd Birthday to you, our sweet "baby" boy...you for whom we wished, hoped, and prayed...you who are charming, gregarious, independent; you who can fill up any room with your big personality and constant cheer. Your love of cars and trucks and trains is both endearing and exhausting, as I find yet another Hot Wheel in your hand at dinner or an engine in your crib as you wake up in the morning. You are a master at smuggling your vehicle of the day everywhere you go. You amaze us with your verbal prowess, and never fail to let us know exactly what it is you want! You're so far ahead of your time in thought and deed, no thanks to the two siblings under whose instruction you thrive. And although you seem to be growing much too fast as you imitate and learn from the big kids, you are absolutely one of a kind. You are fearless and assertive, yet sensitive. You teach us to never set our expectations too low as you surge ahead so quickly in developmental milestones, but also to never forget that you are a little boy in need of snuggles and love as we rock together at night to the tune of your favorite songs, singing everything from "Twinke Twinkle Little Star" and "Down by the Station" to "Tantum Ergo." You are all boy in every sense of the word, and at once an extraordinary little genius baby who never ceases to astonish us all. 

We love you to pieces, always and forever, our little Ethan man!

Daddy took the morning off to play with our Thomas-obsessed 2-year-old
...and measure his growth: an unbelievable 6.5 inches!!!!

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We celebrated Ethan's birthday a few days early this past weekend with a trip to our favorite place--Hudson Gardens! We decided to keep it small and spent the day with family at the Hudson Gardens fall festival, complete with giant pumpkins, hay mazes, and of course, Thomas the Train at their train garden. Which also happened to be the theme for Ethan's birthday (big surprise there!). There was also a story teller, an owl demonstration, and lots of yummy food. It was an absolutely perfect fall day, and just the right speed for all of us!

Waking up happy as always, and immediately asking,
"Mommy, can I have a bahlloooon?!"

Watching Thomas go by! Then playing hide 'n seek in the haybale maze and checking out the beehives!

Lots of rock jumping and more hide 'n seek! 

And some awesome quality time with Gran & Granddad!

After the festival we went back to the house to enjoy some gluten-and-dairy-free Thomas cake, which turned out to be both edible and not half bad, thanks to a true team effort. Peter did the baking, while I made the icing, did the assembly, and worked on the decorating. And Ethan was delighted with the result, which was the only thing that really mattered, of course. We followed up with lots of Thomas-themed gifts, making for one very happy and excited little boy!

 

Why take bites if I can just
down the whole slice?

He's very proficient in defending his territory.

Happy Birthday, Ethan!