Oh "TWO"dles! A Mickey Birthday for Drake!

Happy Birthday Drake!

Drake turned 2 YEARS OLD on December 20th!

To be honest, the day did not go nearly as planned. I came down with a nasty cold/sinus infection on Sunday and it hit hard on Tuesday (his birthday) with the worst day being Wednesday. We had planned to go to the Treehouse Museum on his birthday, go to lunch, and then just play and play all day long. I tried to have everything ready the week before so that his birthday would be stress-free and all about him. The day of his b-day, I was so sick that I honestly considered cancelling his birthday party. Fortunately, my mom (who was recovering from the same cold) called and offered to come clean my house and help me get everything ready. My mother-in-law also called to see how she could help. I'm so blessed to have such amazing women in my life. My mom and I got the house cleaned up and decorated and my mom did my laundry. My MIL made breadsticks for the party and I told her not to worry about coming over since my mom was with us- so thankful for both of them! Obviously, we didn't get to go to the museum or lunch or play, play, play all day long on Drake's birthday, even with my intense planning. I guess you just can't always plan LIFE. Ugh! I still think Drake had a great day though- I hope so anyways! If you don't know that Drake L-O-V-E-S Mickey Mouse, then this must be your first time reading my blog- haha. The obvious thing to do was to throw a Mickey party! I tried to make it special for him and I know that he LOVED having all of his family over that night to celebrate.

Here's the day in pictures!

(This is gonna be a long one...)

Mickey pancakes for breakfast!

That's some awesome singing, Linds! Yikes, can you tell I'm sick?

                

"Yeah, it's my birthday....so I get to hang out in the laundry basket and eat Frosted Mini Wheats...I know you're jealous."

Mickey Birthday Invitations & Decorations!

  

 Mickey Mouse Birthday Party!

We had such a fun Mickey birthday party for Drake! To start the party off, Drake received a special phone call from the ONE and ONLY Mickey Mouse (you can do it for free on Disney.com)!

Mickey said- "Hi-ya Drake! This is Mickey! I hear it's your birthday!"

Drake got this giant grin on his face from ear to ear and was super excited! Mickey asked him how old he was and sang a special song to him. Drake danced around and smiled like no other- it was darling! He also got a personal video message from Mickey that he now watches everyday because Mickey says his name and it has a picture of Drake in it. After the phone call, Drake got to open his first present of the day- A Mickey shirt!

Our family came between 5-6. We had lasagna, caesar salad, and homemade breadsticks. Drake opened each of his gazillion presents. He had a hard time opening one right after another. He wanted to stop and play with each one- I don't blame him! He got so many fun things (puzzles, tractors, trucks, phonics fridge magnet, books, mr. potato head, coloring stuff, clothes, SUU t-shirt, bath toys, basketball hoop, mickey computer, mickey jack-in-the-box, remote control cars, homemade file folder games, xylophone, and more). Thanks to everyone for the great gifts!

After presents, we had delicious cake and ice cream. Thanks so much to all of our family that came! I know Drake loved being surrounded by those who love him!
(Bear with my terrible pictures- remember, no flash on my camera. Can't wait for Christmas!)

Drake singing Happy Birthday!

                  

Presents!

(Such terrible quality, but they are all I have)

Birthday Cake!

The next day, Drake talked about his birthday non-stop.
He played all day long- moving from one toy to the next.
Pure heaven for a little boy!
I'm excited to get more pictures with all of his new toys!

I haven't been giving many "Drake updates" lately. As Drake gets older, the milestones seem to just blend together and I forget to write about the things he does.

Things to remember about 2-year-old Drake:

*His 2 year Stats.....WEIGHT- 28.6 pounds (61%- significant b/c he's always been in the 30% so he's finally putting on some weight!), HEIGHT- 36 inches (87%) 

*He sleeps from 9pm-8am (b/c he's stinky about bedtime) and takes a 1-3 hour nap at 1pm

*Favorite foods- macaroni & cheese, turkey hot dogs, applesauce, strawberries, blueberries, string cheese, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, lasagna, spaghetti, raisins, lunchmeat, milk.

*He has a major sweet tooth and is always asking for treats.

*He knows some colors.

*He can sing his ABC's and knows the letters of his name.

*He loves to sing and knows lots of songs.

*He talks all of the time (except around strangers or when we want to show him off- typical.) and many times uses sentences. He's learned the plural of some words.

*He continues to love Mickey Mouse. He also likes Madagascar 2 ("Animals!") and Curious George. He watches sports with Dad too.

*He continues to choose to play with footballs, baseballs, or basketballs over other toys. He is always throwing things up in the air and trying to catch them or shooting baskets.

He also loves to read, do puzzles, and is learning more and more how to play pretend. He's great to play with all of his toys though. 

*He is definitely more defiant and has learned the word "No". The nice thing is that he is starting to understand time-out and apologizing.

*He is a VERY active child. He's not one to sit and play with a toy for a long period of time. He is constantly moving from one thing to the next and wants our constant attention. Definitely a show-off! :)

*He loves to brush his teeth- weird.

*Funny things bug him- like if his hands are sticky or if a piece of his fingernail is broken off. Wonder who he gets this from? :)

*He is obedient with many things (like not touching the Christmas tree or other off-limit objects), but also likes to test us when we tell him not to do something.

*His run is hilarious. He watches his feet and shakes his hips when he runs. If you've seen it, you know how funny it is.

*He still won't stay in nursery by himself- Oh, we've tried everything. He has some major stranger anxiety. I guess it comes with being the first child and only being babysat by family most of the time. I've decided to stop stressing about it. 

*We think he is really smart! (doesn't every parent think that of their kid :) ) He'll say a word or sentence and I look at him in amazement because I know I've never taught him that. It's amazing how kids this age pick up on things around them. 

*He tackles everything and everyone. All boy.

*Lastly, he really is so great! Rob and I love this little guy so much. Our life is so different with him, but it's SO MUCH BETTER. Like leaps and bounds better (in a different way) than it was before we had him. We love his sweet disposition, but his spunky attitude! He's a keeper! And why on earth is he 2 years old? Wasn't he just born!!

Well......I think that's all folks.

If you are still reading, then Wow! You are a good friend to endure this post!

THE END.