Stella and Zoey on their 2nd birthday…
Its finally here! My squishy, funny little ladies turned 2 today. I can’t even wrap my head around the last 2 years. I think it will take even more time than I imagined! Just a little to remind you and me what you both were like when you turned 2:
Zoey,
You are a sweetheart that takes most of life in stride. You have an independent streak and are generally a happy soul. You pick up things fast, especially any kind of mechanical, hands on sort of project. This can be great because you usually figure out things yourself before we show you or this can be challenging, if the thing you are figuring out is, say, the baby gate. You LOVE to run around and sing. In fact, I love when you run the most because your little cheeks and “chookies” (cheeks below your cheeks) bounce around too! You are so darn cute and also very charming with those big brown eyes of yours. You still have a baby buddah belly and your hair is finally getting long. You love wearing pig tails and are often the first one to brush your teeth, get dressed and get your shoes on (you also love anything that sparkles!). Unfortunately you sometimes have a hard time waiting on your sisters. You have also taken an interest in the potty lately, to my delight. Maybe you will be the first one potty trained? You have a bit of a jokester streak in you too, pushing your sister’s buttons (especially Stella) and making your own sort of jokes, even different funny faces to suit the situation. You are both funny and cute: a bad combo! You seem to be very comfortable with other kids outside of our family too and its funny to see you start interacting with peers. You love to cuddle on the couch at night and watch cartoons or read books, but you are always the first to hop off the couch after just 5 minutes and find something independent to do. You don’t like to sit around and watch the world go by! You love to eat all kinds of fruit, especially blueberries. You also really like noodles and your milk and are learning to drink from a cup. You especially like to do anything that Lucy does and often copy her playing, the things she says and how she does things. You really love her. Lucy really likes to play with you too. There are a million reasons I like you, but these are just a few. Happy Birthday my Zoe-Zoe! You are growing every minute and I can’t wait to see what my little independent woman looks like at 3 years! Love, Mommy
Zoey eating her 2nd birthday dinner at Mississippi Mudds
Stella,
Stella you have had quite a year. Just thinking back, you haven’t even been walking a full year yet, but man have you grown. You are even a little taller than Zoey, but have this tiny, light, skinny body….definitely a Dettbarn. When I look at you, you remind me of Daddy and Grampy Dettbarn. You are a spitting image of Daddy when he was your age, believe it or not- even the way you “sniff” your yellow blankie when you are really tired. Lately, you have been working on learning more words with a speech therapist once a week and your family. You are doing amazing and I’ve lost count of all your new words. Just tonight you were dragging me around the park pointing at all the wildlife! You seem much less frustrated and happier all around. At the same time, you have really started to LOVE reading, probably more than either of your sisters. You will sit and read all day with us. You also love wildlife, looking for critters outside and notice the smallest details on anything nature-related- trees, in the sky, bugs, you name it. You are a budding naturalist at heart, which makes me proud. You are not a fan of getting your hair done or getting dressed, but when it really counts, like bandaging the cut on your foot lately or at visits to the dentist or doctor, you are excellent. You are also learning to play with other kids your age. You are shy when other kids are around besides your sisters, but you have also always been a bit closer and depended on Mommy and Daddy a little more. You are especially close to Mommy and Daddy and you love frequent cuddles, being held a lot and being carried. We are all working on giving you some more opportunities for your own independence and I can see you trying hard lately. I know two years is a tough time. You’ve been a baby for 2 years and now, all of the sudden you are expected to not only do lots of things yourself, but you are being physically distanced from us especially when there are 3 of you that need so much attention often. However, you do like to have your own quiet space and take your own time to finish projects or tasks. It is clear you enjoy working hard, are determined, motivated and are very proud of yourself when you do something you’ve set out to do. Unfortunately, you get interrupted by any number of people and circumstances often and this is a challenge for you. Luckily, you are learning to be adaptable, which I think will be your greatest strength. Another thing everyone knows about you is that you love to eat! You eat and eat and eat. You love just about all kinds of food and will try anything, especially pickles and any kind of “dipping” condiment. You were born in Buffalo after all! Like Zoey, you love to snuggle, especially on the couch and you are quick to literally fall over asleep if you’ve been especially worn out. You love your sisters so, its like glue. You just can’t get enough of Zoey and chase her around with your funny faces, making her giggle non-stop. I can even hear both of you up in your cribs going back and forth with laughs! Your smile is infectious, your cute as a button and man, are you charming in your own quiet way. Happy 2nd birthday my Stelley Belley! I love you to pieces in every way and seeing you grow is a joy. I can’t wait to see what your third year brings! Love, Mommy
Stella eating her birthday dinner at Mississippi Mudds
Maybe I should work backwards to recap the rest of this weekend?
Today we celebrated Z & S’s birthdays by doing one of our favorite things- swimming! We joined our other favorite set of twins, Wes and Andrew, and their hot Mommy, Aunt Margie, and Nana Stefko at the wading pool. I could just eat these two boys up. They are the cutest little red heads! I also fell in love with those pink tutu bathing suits my grandma got the twins for their birthdays!
Tutu bathing suits from great gram
2 sets of twins and a singleton
This morning we were lazy and it was grand. We celebrated with dinner at Mississippi Mudds over looking the Niagara River and Niawanda Park and some playtime at the playground. A perfect day when you are two!
Little duckies following Daddy at Niawanda Park
The fam celebrating Z & S’s 2nd birthday with a dinner overlooking the Niagara River
Saturday was a lazy day as well but we had a great time at Jonas (4th) and Nafie’s (2nd) birthday party. We played in the pool, broke a squid pinata, played Pin the Tail on the Blue Whale and ate our hearts out, especially the yummy undersea themed cake. Awesome party Creeds! Unfortunately, it was so fun, I have no pictures! 
Friday was a great day as well. We got to visit the Aquarium and touch some real live sea creatures! Lucy loved holding the clam (a safe bet), Zoey enjoyed the tiny fleshy tube feet of the sea star and Stella loved holding the hermit crab. We also got to touch some turtles and learn how they like to be held too. What an awesome activity and so glad we became members so we can do it again… like every week.
Learning how to touch turtles at the Aquarium
We also got some great presents from Great Gram, my grandmother. She sent all the right things- sparkly and pink! The girls love their tutus, dresses and glamour shoes, along with their new coloring books and markers. Thanks Great!
On top of that, I’ve made some good progress on the sustainability curriculum I am working on thanks to an awesome meeting with Don and Katy Friday night. Thanks for the hospitality and all kinds of good conversation, including a glimpse into life with older little girls. 
I’ve also been running consistently despite the heat and have been able to shave time off and will be starting into 2 miles next week. I just have to remind myself why I am doing it (alone time!) to get out the door. Some days I feel ready by lunch to just take off and run! HA! I am trying to pick a great first race and have my eyes on the Glen Iris run Sept. 11th at Letchworth. That would be awesome.
Now, off to see what next week brings!