Abby's Second Birthday

Rock was able to come home for one night from the field on the 14th so we decided to have Abby's birthday celebration on that day.

My mom bought a fresh turkey with all the trimmings and made that because Abby loves turkey and also because that way we could have an early Thanksgiving together.  

I asked Abby what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday and she told me she wanted a Princess, chocolate cake with sprinkles, so I got working on that in the morning so it'd be ready for that evening's celebration.  I just bought princess sugar toppers, sprinkles and made a chocolate buttercream frosting.  I completely forgot to get a picture of the cake (DUH!) but that is OK because although it tasted great, it wasn't much to look at.  

Rock got home around 3 PM and we all ate the delicious turkey dinner my mom made and Abby loved the turkey (she says that with a New Jersey accent), stuffing and gravy and Rock said it the most food he'd had in a week!  

Then I got all of Abby's presents set out on our coffee table and she got to opening and ripping and squealing! She received tons of amazing things and was very happy about everything she opened.  And let me tell you, after she was done unwrapping everything, it looked like a Princess bomb had gone off in our living room!

Which present to open first?!

This one looks good!  

"Baby 'Rella!"

Checking out Baby 'Rella's diaper status.  

Pretty much the best expression ever--a car seat for her babies!  

Getting Baby 'Rella secure in her car seat.  

Books!

Abby doing work on her present pile.  

After opening her presents, we all had some cake with milk and Abby gave me a hearty approval of the cake I made when she put it in her mouth and said "MMMMMM, CHOCOLATE!  TASTY!"  All as she rubbed her belly!  I love that kid!!!

Abby requested we watch "Rango" after cake, so we did that until everyone started to fall asleep on the couch.  We decided to go to bed and finish watching the movie the next day. 

I am so glad my mom got to be here for Abby's second birthday, as she was with us the day Abby was born and she was also with us in the hospital after Abby's surgery, so it was a great thing to be able to all be together to celebrate Abby's second year of life.  We have been through a lot and no matter how low-key a celebration it is, it will always feel like a huge thing for us since we are thankful for every second we get with Miss Abby G!  

Two years ago from today we brought baby Abby home from the hospital.  Here is a picture of our little Stinkerdoodle right after we got home:

My heart.