Stella's 2nd Birthday

Well, it has come and gone, but the fun memories...and let's be honest...some of the decorations remain. We had such a great time celebrating our sweet girl with our amazing friends and family.


What waking up TWO looks like.




My mom and Stella (and Uncle Jack - big day!) share a birthday, so we went over to surprise Mouschi with birthday donuts before she went to work.




Here are the birthday gals at their birthday dinner on Thursday. Super fun night celebrating with family and our awesome community group!




Lindsay came to dinner to share some birthday love.




Saturday was the actual party. Here's the cake table, minus the banana stand. ;) Stella loved the dipped bananas, but here's a tip if you are ever doing them for a party...frozen bananas that have thawed do not go back to regular bananas - they turn into the fourth state of matter - plasma. I was so glad I did a test run in advance. Hence, the empty platter. Don't pull them out of the freezer until the last minute!




The menu was finger foods that Stella loves: mini corn dogs, meatballs, watermelon, etc.

I cannot thank my mom and my amazing sister-in-laws enough for all their help with crafting and setting up. Wouldn't have made it without you.




That's 50 lbs of moon sand people. Good times. Special thanks to Uncle Russell and Aunt Chelsea for their masterful mixing!




Puppies and puppy chow for our friends. Stella loves her a basket o' puppies!




These are the doghouses that my dad helped me make. They turned out great, and Stella is still loving playing in them! Awesome Erica helped me make all the lanterns! Thanks, Erica!




Can you believe how cute this is??? And it was deeeelicious! I love our little Brenham Bakery.



So does Stella. ;)



Stella and her favorite cousin Nora checking out the doghouses.




My party sweetie.



Life size posters! For $3! I may leave them up for a while because they just make me laugh.

Look at all our awesome family who traveled to come celebrate with us!


Charlie and Grandpa




Charlie, uncle Russ and aunt Chelsea




Aunt Lael and Charlie




Mimi and Charlie



It's great to be 2!





I really want my kids to LOVE their birthdays, and the fact that Happy Birthday seems to be her new favorite song indicates to me that I think so far so good on accomplishing that mission. I feel so blessed by all our friends and family that helped me put things together, and then came to shower my girl with love!

An Interview with Charlie, 6 months

Me: Charlie, you're six months old now. Are you excited?
CJS: I am so excited. I can't stop smiling. I am pumped to start eating food, and practicing my layups.

Me: What do you want to be your first food?
CJS: I am going to have to go with bananas. Stella seems to be obsessed. I've got to check it out!

Me: You were sleeping through the night for a while there. I am not going to lie. It was awesome. Thinking of doing it again some time?
CJS: I'm considering it, but I don't want to do anything rash.

Me: Mmmmm. Well, I guess we'll just see how you decide to play this one. Speaking of playing...what are some of your favorite things to do?
CJS: I love to play with baby toys! All those cool smarty pants developmental toys you got for Stella that she couldn't have cared less about? Love 'em. I can sit and entertain myself for whole minutes. I like the jumper pretty well too, and I love to army crawl and roll all over the floor. Except for when I accidentally roll under the couch. It's also a lot of fun to watch crazy Stella. I can't wait to chase her around. I am so close to crawling - I have almost got it. The next few months are going to be so fun.

Me: I know! I love watching you play and grow! How big are you these days anyway?
CJS: At my 6 month check-up today I was 20 lbs 15 oz and 28 1/4 inches. Boom.

Me: You're huge. That's why I have these awesome guns from hauling you around. So, which animal is your favorite, Charlie Bugs?
CJS: I guess I will go with the Honeybadger. I identify with it's strength and fearlessness.

Me: Would you rather be feared or loved?
CJS: Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. (Michael Scott anyone?)

Me: I can't get over how stinking cute you are. I mean - man! It catches me off guard sometimes. Plus you are such an amazingly happy guy. I love your funny laugh! You are pretty much the perfect blend of my extrovert tendencies and your dad's incredible kindness. I am so thankful I get to spend my days with you Charlie. You are a JOY. I love you.
CJS: Thanks, mom. You should go get some sleep. Pretty sure I am going to feel like some middle-o-the-night cuddling tonight.