My little boy is 2

I can't believe that Daniel has turned 2! He so doesn't feel that old. Time really does fly by.

On the Friday morning, 27th of June, we woke up at 7am and had our gorgeous boy come into our room. We sang happy birthday to him and gave him some cuddles. When Eliza woke up we headed into the loungeroom for Eliza to have a feed and Daniel to find his presents. He was pretty excited to see the presents.

After looking at the card Daniel pulled off the paper from his first present and was very excited to find...

a piano. I'm so glad that we decided to set it up for him the night before. He was so keen to turn it on and have a play of it, just like Daddy does at church.

It took a lot of convincing but he eventually opened the rest of his presents from us (we should have just given him a card as he was more than happy to just look at that, then should have just given him the keyboard as he was happy playing that). He liked the look of the carpark (which we had to assemble that night - too hard to do with a toddler trying to 'help') and a new AFL ball.

James headed to work and after we organised ourselves and Eliza had a sleep and another feed, we hopped into the car for a birthday adventure with Auntie Jenny to the Reptile Park (part of the Howies' present to Daniel - a years membership). When we arrived, Eliza decided that she would like another feed so Jens and Daniel headed to the park and enjoyed running around, going up the stairs and going down the slides. We then headed to look at the different animals. The turtles were a hit, and then the dingoes were fascinating. He wasn't very keen to look at the other animals while the dingoes were there.

Eventually we convinced him to continue looking at the different animals. I was surprised to see the wombat out, walking around. Daniel wanted to put his fingers through the fence, we did well with convincing him to not. Such a cute animal!

We continued to walk around and met a kangaroo who was happy to have a pat. Daniel enjoyed saying hi to it.

A man then walked over with a little snake in his hands so we went over to look at it. He asked if we wanted to pat it and feel how smooth the scales were. Daniel was very hesitant but eventually did touch it. As you can see, he wasn't very excited about it.

Meanwhile, Auntie Jenny was doing awesome auntie duties with Eliza, who wasn't very keen to go to sleep yet. It was so helpful having Jens there to be an extra set of hands!

With the membership comes a couple of free photo vouchers which was decided to take advantage of, being Daniel's birthday. We asked Daniel what he wanted a photo with and he pointed to the crocodile seats. I asked him what living animal he wanted a photo with - a python, wombat, alligator or koala. He again said crocodile, pointing at the seat. I then went one at a time, starting with python. He said yes to the python. Ok, that was stressful. I am not a very big fan of snakes and holding the massive python is no different. We had a photo with one before when I was pregnant with Daniel and I was a bit nervous. This time round I got to hold its head. Eeeek! I didn't enjoy the feel of the scales moving around as it moved its head. And there was no way of making Daniel smile for the camera.

I then asked him what he wanted the next photo with - wombat or koala. He pointed to the wombat so we obliged. I am much happier to cuddle a wombat! It was very exciting actually. I got to hold a wombat!! It was very cute. This time we managed to get Daniel to say 'cheese' but it wasn't a lovely smile.

As we were walking out he again pointed a the crocodile seat so I said 'ok' and he got a photo sitting on it. And of course, that was the time he decided to smile. Bless him.

Next we went for a small 'bush walk' and went into a couple of bird enclosures. In one, an owl was sitting on a branch in the area where you stood. Daniel really wanted to pat it (like you do the kangaroos and he did the python and wombat) but fortunately he listened to me that it was just a look and not touch animal. That didn't stop him walking near it with a cheeky grin saying 'pat, pat?'

We continued on our 'bush walk' up to the nocturnal section and then continued around to the alligators. It looked like there weren't many out until we saw patches of sunshine where they were basking. We had fun pointing them out to Daniel.

We then headed to the picnic area where Hugo was going for a walk. Daniel was hesitant to pat Hugo at the start, but after Auntie Jenny had a turn, he warmed up to it.

We then had our lunch and then headed back home. It was a lovely day and I had a very tired little birthday boy when we got home. The rest of the day was pretty normal - he had a nap and then when James came home, we spoke to Nana J and Boompa over Facetime. Again, I can't believe that my little boy is 2!

After Daniel went to bed, I started working on his birthday cake. A week ago we were looking at the Woman's Weekly Birthday Cake book and I asked Daniel which cake he would like. He said 'tick tock' and pointed to 'Hickory Dickory Dock'. Looking at it I felt comfortable trying it. It did look easier than his ukelele from last year. After cutting, icing and decorating the cake, here is the finished product. Note the hands point to 2 o'clock because he is 2. I was pretty happy with it.

James and I then put together Daniel's carpark which looks like a pretty fun toy (and since getting it he has really enjoyed playing with it). On Saturday morning it was the first thing that he went to.

After getting everything organised, we headed to Ruddock Park for Daniel's party. It was just a simple morning tea with his family. It was lovely to have so many people come together to celebrate our little man turning 2. Eliza had dressed up for the occasion.

Daniel enjoyed playing on the equipment, as did Oscar.

Surprise visit with Gracie

We had organised a pretty decent spread with food we were happy for Daniel to eat - fruit, vege stick and dips, apple and cinnamon muffins, banana bread, cheese and crackers and of course, the cake.

After playing on the equipment for a while it was cake time. Everyone gathered to sing 'Happy Birthday' and cut the cake.

Happy birthday boy

Sisterly love

'Happy Birthday dear Daniel...'

This time last year Daniel didn't like the taste of his cake at all. It was a different texture to what he was used to and a different taste. This time it was a completely different story. He absolutely loved the cake, including the date and licorice mice. He also tasted chocolate for the first time with the mouse ears.

Eliza watching Daniel eat the mouse

Mmmm, cake

Eating it all

Look at my hands! (and my face)

After cake (and getting cleaned up) it was present time. Daniel was very spoilt by his family and received a lot of lovely gifts. I think he was a bit overwhelmed by all the presents as part-way through he just stood up and went for a little walk. He just needed a bit of a break. Oscar then came over and helped him open the last few presents.

It was also a lovely time for Eliza to have some cuddles with her Auntie Julie (who she hadn't met yet) and spend some time with Grannie and Boompa. They were very taken by her.

After presents Daniel went for a bit more of a play on the equipment and then he was distracted by the mobile crane and workers who were fixing the lights up on the road. He took Nana up to have a look and then returned with Oscar and Kimberly. I am liking that he is getting into trucks and diggers and all those things.

After watching the trucks for a while everyone started to pack up and head home. It was a lovely morning for a lovely boy. When we got home we had a quick lunch and then it was time for Daniel to have a nap. He was so excited and had sugar in his stomach, he just wouldn't settle. James had to head out for a meeting so I had to close the door on him while I fed Eliza. After her feed I went to check on Daniel and sure enough he was so tired he had fallen asleep on the floor. Poor little guy. It looked very sweet though.

I look forward to seeing my little man continue to grow up. He is becoming so much more chatty and is repeating a lot of things we say. He is being very independent, often saying 'No, Nanial do it' or 'Nanial's turn'. It drives us crazy at times (I now know how my mum felt with me - sorry Mum!) but it is wonderful when we see him learning and growing. Happy 2nd birthday Daniel!

Birthday

My 31st birthday has been and gone and pretty crazy to think that I'm a mum of 2 kiddies. It was a lovely time where I felt very special and loved. 

On the Monday of the public holiday we went around to the Howies' place to have a morning tea birthday gathering with Grandma K and Auntie Sue. It was supposed to be a lunch at Mum and Dad's but they both were sick so this was plan b. 

Eliza dressed up for the occasion and looked very cute!

Such a cute outfit

As did Daniel, wearing his new jumper. We were teaching him how to do a modelling turn to show off his outfit.

Daniel, model for us

After some lovely cuddles and kisses we headed to Jenny and Howie's place.

Kisses

My 2 gorgeous kiddies

Jenny had some tasty snackies and Howie had made a muffin tower birthday cake. Mum and Dad joined us via Facetime to sing happy birthday and I had the help of Daniel and Oscar with blowing out the candles.

"Happy Birthday..."

Blowing out the candles

Hi Mum and Dad

Uncle Howie enjoyed cuddles with Eliza (and she did too until too tired) and then Auntie Jenny's job was to put her to sleep. She did pretty well.

"I want to go to sleep!"

Happy after a nap

 Oscar had a great time playing Angry Birds on the iPad and enjoyed having each of us have a turn. The best was watching Grayma have a go. She was so funny. Comments like "I have no idea what I'm doing" kept being said.

My birthday was lovely. James headed into work late so I was able to have a bit of a sleep-in while he made me a tasty breakfast. The kids and he gave me some pretty awesome presents - new Winners and Losers DVD, new Mercy Me CD and a massage voucher. I then had some cuddles with my 2 kiddies.

I do love them very much! James found that my car battery died so I still went for a walk with Anne and then Dad brought around their car for me to borrow. I was getting ready to take Daniel to the mothers' group but fortunately Jenny popped in and was happy to take Daniel (as Mum and Dad were both still sick). It was a nice time plus a bit of down time in the afternoon before Daniel came back home. I am a lucky Mummy.