Terrible Two

I wasn't sure we were going to make it through 23 months, but we did and Haven's two year well check was today and not so well - she nor her behavior :) Everyone in our house caught some funk in New Mexico, but I don't believe that correlated at all to her lack of cooperation at the doctors office. Her stats were...

• Weight: 29.6lbs (80%)
• Height: 34.5in (60%)
• Head: 48cm (70%)

I do know that Haven is a big girl, but I don't know how accurate any of that information actually is. She threw a fit about standing on the scale by herself, so you can imagine how well measuring her head and length went. Haven does great in the waiting room and while we are checking out, but everything in between (no matter how seemingly easy it might be) is a screaming wrestling match. Thankfully, we only have to torture her with this once a year now, unless of course she gets sick enough to motivate me in for a bonus round.

At two years old, Haven is both lots of work and lots of fun. She is both as precious and as rotten as they come. I wouldn't trade it for the world, but somedays I definitely question how well I am doing my  job. Especially when she is throwing herself on the ground and screaming (sometimes for the better part of 30 minutes) because she doesn't want to get dressed in the morning...or she doesn't want to change her dirty diaper...or she doesn't want to cut her "binger" nails...or she doesn't want to hold my hand through a parking lot...or she doesn't want to take a nap...or for any other irrational reason. It really is tough being two (for everyone)! Of course, we could not love her more, and when she isn't throwing tantrums, we think she is the most adorable person in the world :)

THANKSgiving

We have so much to be thankful for, much of which we probably take for granted all too often. I am especially grateful this year for Benton, Haven, and another healthy baby girl on the way. We headed to New Mexico for Thanksgiving this year to spend some time with the Hyatts.

Haven reading a book before getting ready to go on Wednesday morning

A seasoned traveler: on the plane, Starbucks in hand

Driving around the ranch

Checking out the horses with Daddy and Pop

Mommy taking Haven for a ride

It is a little more difficult to drive than you might think

Exploring with Daddy

Dragging Pop around to find the kitties

Got one!

Faye had lots of family and friends at her house on Thanksgiving day. Haven woke up from her nap just in time for lunch and was not very happy about me taking her picture.

Haven and Brooklyn working off their lunch in the bounce house

Following sweet Diesel around the yard

Nothing scary about two two-year-olds driving themselves around?!

Hang on Haven

Leading the girls from the barn to the house

All bundled up to see the critters on Friday

Riding around with Blakely

Blakely started out avoiding the puddles, but quickly changed to targeting them. We thought she was going to lose Haven a couple of times, but Haven just happily bounced around in the back.

Standing like Daddy with her hands in her pockets waiting to go home

Watching a movie with Daddy on the plane

We had a good trip, but two unfortunate setbacks: 1) Haven threw a huge, and I mean HUGE screaming fit about going down for every nap and two out of three nights. Talk about a major beating! I do not know what the problem was because she is rarely like that at home, but it was miserable for all of us. 2) All three of us came back sick :( I started with it on Saturday night and everyone else quickly followed. Thankfully, Haven got the lightest version so we sent her to MDO on Tuesday while Benton and I stayed home and slept all day. We've all recovered and are ready for the magical Christmas season!

Look Whoo's TWO!

We had another simple family birthday party for Haven's second birthday. I'm convinced it is exactly what she would choose on her own - a family day of fun with her favorite people!

Haven had no interest in wearing her birthday outfit this year, but a few ladies were finally able to convince/bribe her it was a good idea to put it on.

Contrary to her face in the picture, Haven had lots of fun playing with Emily all day.

Gigi's cupcakes - very top-heavy, and VERY delish!!

Some of Haven's loot

Seeing her kitchen for the first time (which I should note took Benton, Pop, and Giddy three hours to put together!)

Aunt Dee and Asher - how adorable is he?!

Opening some presents - which was hard to convince her to do after she saw her kitchen.

Uncle Josh and Aunt B

"Happy Birthday to Haven"

Finally being allowed to dig into the cupcake - it had been a long wait!

Yum yum!

We continued our tradition of the balloon filled room and serenade wake up call on Sunday (Haven's actual birthday), then went to church, followed by another family gathering at brunch. We sang again, but on Sunday it ended with tears for some unknown reason.

Happy, happy birthday baby girl! You are so much fun and so full of personality; there are few dull moments with you around. We love you more than words can express and are both excited and terrified of what the two's have in store :) No matter what they hold, we thank God for everyday that we have with you!

The Half That Makes Me Whole

I married the love of my life five years ago and we got to celebrate on our actual anniversary this year. It was a Friday so Benton came home early from work and we started the afternoon out with Haven waking up from her nap to her new swing set all setup in the backyard. Isn't that romantic?! Oh, how things have changed in five years :) but (of course) I wouldn't have it any other way.

Grammy came over for the big swing set reveal and to take Haven home with her to spend the night so Benton and I could just spend time together. Because of school and the busyness of life in general, Benton and I don't get to see a lot of each other, so for our anniversary that was all we needed. We went shopping and finally made it to dinner down the street from our house about 8pm and then headed home. Clearly, it was very low key, simple, and unplanned, and yet completely perfect!

Haven's swing set was an early birthday present and though she was confused at first, she absolutely loves it! When she first walked out and saw it her reaction was, "Oh no!" but she was quickly ready to play. For a few weeks after she got it, she would say "Swing set!" so excitedly every time she saw it. So cute!