Two Years and Too Cute

If you think December is busy with Christmas, try having two kids' birthdays the first week of January! Baelor is now a big boy of TWO. I just realized it was his golden birthday (January 2nd). We celebrated while all of my siblings were in town from the holidays, even my sister Tarja and her family from California!

Baelor and Reina with cousins Kamryn, Reagan, and Ethan and aunt Tarja

 The weather in January is quite cold and gloomy where we live so all entertainment is usually indoors. We did a simple dinner, cake and presents at our home. Entertainment will naturally come with 14 children in the house! I wasn't sure how we were going to fit 3 sets of grandparents, 14 children, and 8 parents in our home, but somehow we managed! It was a bit daunting for me thinking how to make enough food, but everyone was stuffed and even had leftovers! It was kind of the perfect ending to our two week long holiday fun with family.

We brought the outdoor patio table inside for the kiddos, adults at the dining table and the two littlest boys at the itty-bitty table. Baelor no longer uses a high chair which has increased the space in the kitchen dramatically!

I  made a chocolate cake made from scratch that had an Oreo cream cheese filling and whipped cream topping. It. Was. Amazing. And I think it looked quite beautiful for the little effort.

Baelor's Two Year Milestones:


-Understands everything, but still does not say many words (choice?)
-If we say, "Baelor, say _______", can usually say the said word
-Smiley and happy nearly all day, every day
-Still is in LOVE with his Reina's baby blanket (and binkie) and will ask for them by name...we are getting closer to being rid of that horrible habit (binkie)
-We've tried potty training but still has only tinkled once in the potty and tooted plenty
-Is very coordinated with balls (throwing and catching). Due to his love of basketball, we got him a mini-hoop that he usually plays with daddy. After Kids' Club at the gym on our way to wash hands in the bathroom, he always has to go view the basketball games taking place in the gym. On a lucky day that I am not paying attention, he'll run on the courts and snag a ball....once in the middle of a game (oops!)
-Enjoys going to bed at night
-Likes the sound of his voice shouting and making singing noises. The louder the better.
-Has no interest in books or movies (except kitty videos on youtube).
-Favorite foods currently are nuts, green smoothies, cheese and dried fruit like figs and raisins.
-Loves to snuggle and wrestle with his family
-Is very good about folding arms during prayers
-Everyone finds him a very pleasant, easy-going and happy kid
-Jumps with both feet off the ground
-Can gallop
-Still extremely expressive and wins in the biggest "cheese" smile contest