The Not-So-Terrible Two's

Our little girl turned two on March 16th.  Although we're only a few days into this so-called terrible year it appears to be anything but terrible.  We celebrated Malina's birthday all weekend starting with a play group party on Friday with her six best buddies.  She shares a birthday with her bff Raleigh, so we combined parties and enjoyed a semi-relaxing breakfast birthday party outside on the patio.  On Saturday we had a family bbq with Lynne & Joe, Jason & Kenny, and G'Ma & G'Pa Kuhn.  Malina actually woke up on Saturday saying "blow out candles and eat cake."  I think she understands this whole birthday thing quite well.

At two years, Malina is a darling little girl who is still quite shy and reserved in social settings but full of energy at home.  She is very soft with her toys, friends, and dogs and will likely be an excellent helper when her baby brother arrives.  Malina loves to read and to listen to music.  We often spend hours reading...and she can "read along" as she has many of her books memorized.  She can recite many songs including her ABC's and can count to 15...repetition, repetition, repetition.  She can ride a bike but not steer so someone has to run along side her.  Potty training is temporarily on hold; she can, but refuses to use her big-girl potty.  We'll try a new approach in a couple months. 

We keep extremely busy with play dates, story time at nearby libraries, and monthly trips to the zoo.  We have grown close to our play group friends and enjoy spending our mornings with them.  Malina does surprise us with random tantrums but she is easily distracted, especially by her crazy daddy who is always anxious to play.

Birthday weekend photos:

Malina and Raleigh

Yummy

Loves Auntie Lynne

Going for a ride

Big Wheels

Crazy Uncle Joe

oh BOY!

Ever since this little guy came into our lives (my belly) he has been trouble.  We can't be surprised, as trouble-making boys run on both sides of the family.  Brian was a handful as a child (and still is) and my brother Lou was a terror, I mean spirited child.

When the ultrasound technician announced that our little baby was a boy Brian and I smiled at each other with an "of course" glare.  18 weeks of brutal morning sickness could only come from our own little trouble maker.  Now that we've entered into a more peaceful time of pregnancy - 25 weeks along - the excitement of having a little boy has really hit us both.  We are grateful that Malina will have a brother to grow up with and we will get to experience life with a little boy.

A few pics from the past 25 weeks...

Malina sharing the good news with Daddy

8 weeks (baby brother) and 19 months (Malina)

19 weeks (baby boy) and 21 months (Malina) - right before "the pop"

20 weeks

20 weeks

The big sister

Had to share this one - I think my mom was the most excited about the news

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 was a whirlwind!  Lou arrived late Friday, Dec. 21st and Grandma and Grandpa Ullrich arrived Saturday, the 22nd.  On Sunday we all went to visit Great Grandma in Sun City West.  Monday was Christmas Eve and Great Grandma, Ellie, Clark, Jason, and Kenny joined our clan in Gilbert for dinner.  The same group, plus cousin Sarah,  gathered the following day for Christmas. 

Malina enjoyed lots of family time and was extremely spoiled by Santa this year.  Although she was sick on Christmas day she didn't miss a second of present opening or of Uncle Kenny's amazing pies. In fact, pie was all she had for dinner that night.

The day after Christmas we had my big anatomy scan where we found out our little babes is a boy.  Brian was not surprised at the news but I was in shock for a few days after.  Grandma Ullrich definitely showed the most excitement over the news- she literally jumped up and down and screamed when we announced the gender. 

After Christmas Day things started to settle down.  Lou left town December 30th, while Grandma and Grandpa Ullrich stayed until January 2nd, giving Brian and I a few evenings to get out of the house (without Malina).  We all had such a wonderful holiday!

These two were glued together for three days

Aunt Ellie and Uncle Clark

Uncle Louie had to join in on the coloring fun

Once the bike riding began this was all she wanted to do

Opening an extremely large present from Uncle Kenny

She played with her new tea set for two hours straight

Tea with Cousin Sarah

Out for a walk

Perfect place to read a card

I never thought we would need a larger dining room table

Christmas with the Kuhn's

Christmas came a little early this year as Grandma and Grandpa Kuhn visited last weekend.  Malina loves spending time with her grandparents, especially Grandma Kuhn.  She was spoiled (as usual) with gifts and attention.  We all enjoyed a Christmas celebration on Sunday night with the whole family.

opening stocking gifts

too excited to open any more

getting the hang of how to open a present

playing in her new Mickey Mouse beanbag chair

Auntie Lynne and Uncle Joe

Grandparents

...if only we could get the grandparents to cooperate

Rewind- Thanksgiving

We had an awesome Thanksgiving at home with Lynne, Joe, and Kenny.  Unfortunately, Jason had to work- and he was extremely missed.  We have hosted Thanksgiving for many years now - maybe five or six, so the preparation part is getting easier.  Everyone arrived early to play games and cause a little backyard commotion (beer pong).  It was a great day and I look forward to many more Thanksgivings with this small family group. This was the only semi-group photo of the day- Malina has some interesting (looking) men in her life :)

Santa and Snow

 

Malina was not a huge fan of Santa this year.  He was a bit creepy.  A friend invited us to her neighborhood Christmas celebration where Malina sat on Santa's lap and played in some snow.  Both experiences were a bit traumatizing and though she didn't enjoy the morning, Brian and I enjoyed our friends.  The pictures say it all.

Trick or Treat

Better late than never.  It has been nearly a month since Halloween and I am finally catching up.  Malina was a purple butterfly for Halloween and actually loved wearing her costume.  We enjoyed four celebrations: Brian's cubicle trick-or-treating, our neighborhood Halloween Howl, Stroller Strides after-party, and family trick-or-treating.  Malina learned pretty quickly that trick-or-treat means candy and she still uses the phrase when she wants some.

My little butterfly

 

Getting a kiss from Uncle Kenny

Jackpot!

The gang

Stealing from our bowl