Our little Lena turned two yesterday. Where have these two years gone?! She isn’t a baby anymore; instead she’s a chatting, giggling, darling little girl. Although watching any of your children (particularly your firstborn, I assume) grow up is bittersweet, it is true that somehow I come to love her more every day. I never knew my heart had such a capacity for love until I met Elliott and then Lena and then Gil.
Last year around this time I followed Lena around with a camera one morning while she played. The pictures I captured of her are some of my favorites of her. I decided to do the same thing on her birthday this year. Here she is, our little two-year-old!
She loves her new tea set from Grammie and Poppy! We probably had 10 different tea parties yesterday.
When Gil gets his diaper changed, Lena likes to use a little of the Vaseline on her face. Hmm… before I know it she’ll be asking for blush and lipstick!
Above: “Mama…. Gil… arm… eating!” Make that the first time Gil tickled his sister. The first of many times, I imagine.
Below: Lena enjoys a birthday video message from her Aunt Eden. Thanks to all the family members who sent them yesterday! Lena looked up at me with this huge grin on her face at least once during every one of them. 
Above: Lena points and says, “Cows… dere!” Often there are cows in the valley below our house; one of her favorite things in the world is to walk down with her daddy to see them up close.
Above right: Lena gives one of the teddy bears in her puzzle a kiss because he has a sad face. “Kiss… butter.” I’m sure he feels better after a kiss from you, Lena!
I love you, my precious little Lena, and I am so thankful that I am your mama. Your daddy and I pray every day that God would give us courage, patience, and wisdom as we raise you, that you might never know a day apart from Him.
xoxo,
Mama
Happy birthday to your sweet little girl!
Thank you, Carrie!
This is so precious — I want to snuggle hug both of them. :-/ Happy birthday, Laney lane!
Thank you, Uncle David!
oh my goodness I am overwhelmed these pictures are amazing
Thanks, sister!
These are precious pictures…especially the ones of Lena and Gil laughing. Look how much fun they seem to be having together! Do I see a little boy who is getting happier as he gets older? :) I don’t know either of your families, so I could not decide who I thought Lena looked like, until I saw the picture here of her with your glasses on. I think she must favor you!
Gil’s getting a leeeeetle happier, maybe, especially first thing in the morning (when these photos were taken). And I hope Lena does look a bit like me, but I’m glad if she’s a good combo of both of us! I really want Gil to look like my husband. :-)
What beautiful photos. I can’t decide which one I like better. Happy Birthday little Lena!
Thanks, Emily, and thanks for coming to celebrate on Saturday!
Happy Birthday Lena! I love how you take a full day of pictures on her birthday…. great idea! :)
I think I’ll make it a tradition. Definitely helps me keep a good record of them every year… since goodness knows that month-by-month pictures have not worked for me!
She’s is such a precious, happy little girl! Happy Birthday Lena!
Thank you, Shelby!
So so sweet. Hugs and kisses from across the miles to those dear little children!
Thank you, Mom! Wish you could have been here to celebrate with us.
Lovely pictures and so nice to be able to imagine just how it was :)
We missed you so much! Wish you could have stayed a few more days…!
Happy birthday, Lena! I love her sweet half-braid and mary jane tights. And what a great big sister she seems to be, too.
You might like to know that on a recent visit with my family, your blog came up briefly and I realized one of my aunts has been following you since I linked to you on FB. She raved for a few minutes about how precious Lena is, “just the cutest little girl” she’s ever seen. : ) “That hair! Those cheeks! Those blue eyes!”
I thought this far-away appreciation might be appreciated by you guys, so there you go.
Read this aloud to Elliott… felt our hearts swell with parental pride. Thanks for passing this along, Katie!
She is becoming quite a beautiful young lady! I cannot believe that she is already two–it seems like yesterday that we were having her baby shower. XOXO
Thank you, Sarah, for everything… starting with the shower over two years ago! So many happy memories from that day.
Love the hair!
You would… parted on the side AND French-braided. :-) Elliott’s a big fan too.
The Vaseline photo is my fav! My parents have an old photo of me when they were having dinner at a friend’s house and I got into the lipstick somehow – a bright red Z across my face!
Hi, I just came across your blog an love it! can you tell me where the mix and match puzzle is from? It’s exactly what I’m looking for!
The bears mix and match puzzle is from Melissa & Doug, and the cardboard shapes puzzle is by Imaginarium, I think. Hope this helps!
Thank you so much! I’m getting this and the blocks for my daughter’s 2nd birthday.